Skins for protection of big lenses

[hrv]

Switched my 800PF over to a skin, matching my 100-400 with the “Urban Camo” pattern. I may cut up the piece for the Nikon hood and use it to cover the Zemlin hood.

How did you find the application on the big rubber front end of the lens?

I did it for my 500pf earlier this week and found that the skin doesn't look that great on that part of my lens. You would start seeing all the indentations after a little hand holding and it didn't look appealing to me. Yours looks good from what I can tell.

 

[MatthewK]

How did you find the application on the big rubber front end of the lens?

I did it for my 500pf earlier this week and found that the skin doesn't look that great on that part of my lens. You would start seeing all the indentations after a little hand holding and it didn't look appealing to me. Yours looks good from what I can tell.

The whole installation went really well, actually. Used a hair dryer to shrink the vinyl, and so far doesn’t show the indentations. May start showing after some use though, we’ll see.

 

[MatthewK]

I cut up the piece intended for the Nikon hood, and covered the Zemlin. The vinyl sticks really well to the material, so no worries there. I think it looks much better vs. the bare Zemlin; not sure if I should cover the end of the hood, as there’s that small angled piece/section that I don’t think I can cut properly (requires advanced math and CAD skills that I simply don’t have).

Another question: these things off-gas quite a bit; will this fresh vinyl smell fade eventually? LensCoats/neoprene forever smelled, so I’m used to my lenses having some kind of odor

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[DavidT]

I ordered a Life Guard wrap direct from Asia close to a year ago and finally got around to putting it on. I did a better job with my 600GM that I got from Alpha Guard which I think is a little nicer.

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[MatthewK]

For those of you with Zemlin hoods and AlphaGvrd skins: I contacted AlphaGvrd, and they will cut you a custom sized piece(s) to fit the hood. I say "pieces", because for whatever reason, they can't quite cut one large enough to go in one piece around the hood, so instead had them make two pieces long enough to cover 1/2 the circumference each. The trouble is, the 100-400 hood isn't all that large, so you may run into a problem if you ask for one of the big boys (800 PF, 600 TC, etc). Recommend just using the piece for the stock hood on your Zemlin instead (like I did in my previous post above).

Also, the vinyl skin sticks perfectly well to the Zemlin hood material, so no worries there.

 

[ButlerKid]

For those of you with Zemlin hoods and AlphaGvrd skins: I contacted AlphaGvrd, and they will cut you a custom sized piece(s) to fit the hood. I say "pieces", because for whatever reason, they can't quite cut one large enough to go in one piece around the hood, so instead had them make two pieces long enough to cover 1/2 the circumference each. The trouble is, the 100-400 hood isn't all that large, so you may run into a problem if you ask for one of the big boys (800 PF, 600 TC, etc). Recommend just using the piece for the stock hood on your Zemlin instead (like I did in my previous post above).

Also, the vinyl skin sticks perfectly well to the Zemlin hood material, so no worries there.

I had put the Alphagrvd skin on OEM hood of my Z 400 f4.5. When I got the Zemlin hood (OEM size), I peeled off the skin the Nikon hood and put it on the Zemlin hood. The skin had stretched a wee bit but it fit fine and stuck well when placed on the Zemlin hood.

 

[MatthewK]

That's good to know!

Edit: yeah, the 100-400 uses a petal hood, so I can't really salvage that one for use on my Zemlin; oh well. AlphaGvrd is sending me a custom one for $10, so not too bad!

 

[Calson]

Who has actually damaged their telephoto lens due to a lack of a protective skin? My lenses are either on the camera and in my hand or in a backpack or in a special lens case. If I was to fall while walking I might damage the lens but with decades of outdoor photography this has never happened. I have almost dropped a 600mm lens when removing it from a gimbal head and not getting a good enough grip as a result of the skin I have on the lens which is why I stopped using them altogether.

 

[DavidT]

Who has actually damaged their telephoto lens due to a lack of a protective skin? My lenses are either on the camera and in my hand or in a backpack or in a special lens case. If I was to fall while walking I might damage the lens but with decades of outdoor photography this has never happened. I have almost dropped a 600mm lens when removing it from a gimbal head and not getting a good enough grip as a result of the skin I have on the lens which is why I stopped using them altogether.

It’s more about scratches or wear to the finish from use. No sticker or lens coat is going to protect from a drop.

 

[MatthewK]

Protection from incidental scratches and scuffs, mostly, but also protects from my dirty hands (sweat, bug spray, dirt, etc). The few times I've benefited from a lens cover happened to be while walking through dense areas of foliage/woods, and you get stuff sticks/leaves/etc brushing into you. Of course a skin won't stop a big impact or a drop, but neither would a LensCoat or the bare lens.

 

[arbitrage]

With Nikon lenses I never bother with skins or coats. That material just holds up. With Canon white paint you can't even look at it the wrong way without some of it coming off and exposing the metal. Even though my EF 600II had a lens coat on it, it still lost paint just in the few exposed areas. I don't know if Sony white paint is as bad as Canon. So far I've had RolanPro on my Sony lenses and haven't had any paint issues.

I'm thinking about going to a skin. It is really just to prevent paint loss on the white lenses and scratches. Again, I wouldn't bother with Nikon black lenses.

 

[ssheipel]

Who has actually damaged their telephoto lens due to a lack of a protective skin? My lenses are either on the camera and in my hand or in a backpack or in a special lens case. If I was to fall while walking I might damage the lens but with decades of outdoor photography this has never happened. I have almost dropped a 600mm lens when removing it from a gimbal head and not getting a good enough grip as a result of the skin I have on the lens which is why I stopped using them altogether.

FWIW: Although I haven't shot near salt water since, when I shot whales (from a small Zodiak) and stood in the edge of the surf shooting wake borders for several days, I'd end each shoot by pouring (carefully) fresh water over the camera and lens to help rinse off the salt. I'd still likely use the fresh water wash of some sort with skin, but would feel better with skins of some sort; ditto in some very dusty environments I've shot in. That said, I've only got lens coat skins on my long lenses but that's for camo (tho they're normally then covered by a gillie blanket when I'm worried about stealth, anyway.

 

[MatthewK]

Out in the field w/ the 800PF and 100-400 yesterday for the first time since applying the skins, and I really like the svelte, minimal feeling compared to the neoprene covers I've used for the past 5 years. These are a definite win, in my book.

 

[Geoff_G]

With Nikon lenses I never bother with skins or coats. That material just holds up. With Canon white paint you can't even look at it the wrong way without some of it coming off and exposing the metal. Even though my EF 600II had a lens coat on it, it still lost paint just in the few exposed areas. I don't know if Sony white paint is as bad as Canon. So far I've had RolanPro on my Sony lenses and haven't had any paint issues.

I'm thinking about going to a skin. It is really just to prevent paint loss on the white lenses and scratches. Again, I wouldn't bother with Nikon black lenses.

I've owned several variations of Nikon 500/4 lenses and purchased my 500/4E new from my dealer. I must be missing something because i've never wrapped or coated those lenses. I do not like how they change the feel of the lens. I did install a thin coat on the CF hood for my 500/4E but I've just now switched over to a Zemlin hood (which weighs less than the stock CF Nikon hood and lens coat). I don't think I'm going to wrap it or the lens but had not considered Alphagrvd before reading this thread (I do like the Shadow Black skin Kjellis used.). That said, I'm (sorry to say) very anal retentive and if I install it and it doesn't look 'perfect' it'll come right back off. I've built my own house, rebuild my own engines and generally very handy but I think I'd fail installing a skin....

 

[MatthewK]

I've owned several variations of Nikon 500/4 lenses and purchased my 500/4E new from my dealer. I must be missing something because i've never wrapped or coated those lenses. I do not like how they change the feel of the lens. I did install a thin coat on the CF hood for my 500/4E but I've just now switched over to a Zemlin hood (which weighs less than the stock CF Nikon hood and lens coat). I don't think I'm going to wrap it or the lens but had not considered Alphagrvd before reading this thread (I do like the Shadow Black skin Kjellis used.). That said, I'm (sorry to say) very anal retentive and if I install it and it doesn't look 'perfect' it'll come right back off. I've built my own house, rebuild my own engines and generally very handy but I think I'd fail installing a skin....

Oh, you most definitely have to accept "close enough" with these skins I will say though, you do get better at it, and my 2nd lens (800PF) came out looking a ton better. I think if I did a 3rd lens, it would be perfect. So yeah, just takes some practice.

 

[ButlerKid]

I've owned several variations of Nikon 500/4 lenses and purchased my 500/4E new from my dealer. I must be missing something because i've never wrapped or coated those lenses. I do not like how they change the feel of the lens. I did install a thin coat on the CF hood for my 500/4E but I've just now switched over to a Zemlin hood (which weighs less than the stock CF Nikon hood and lens coat). I don't think I'm going to wrap it or the lens but had not considered Alphagrvd before reading this thread (I do like the Shadow Black skin Kjellis used.). That said, I'm (sorry to say) very anal retentive and if I install it and it doesn't look 'perfect' it'll come right back off. I've built my own house, rebuild my own engines and generally very handy but I think I'd fail installing a skin....

For me... It is nice to have..... But certainly not necessary. I do like the fact that my lens looks a bit different than that of other folks. Just a little bit classy!

On trip with 4 other Nikon shooters it was easy to find MY camera and lens!

 

[Geoff_G]

For me... It is nice to have..... But certainly not necessary. I do like the fact that my lens looks a bit different than that of other folks. Just a little bit classy!

On trip with 4 other Nikon shooters it was easy to find MY camera and lens!

I think I'd find a skin quite acceptable to use (unlike lens coats for me). I may try a 'skinning a lens' at some point.
Good point on the instant ID!

 

[PhilcTx]

Who has actually damaged their telephoto lens due to a lack of a protective skin? My lenses are either on the camera and in my hand or in a backpack or in a special lens case. If I was to fall while walking I might damage the lens but with decades of outdoor photography this has never happened. I have almost dropped a 600mm lens when removing it from a gimbal head and not getting a good enough grip as a result of the skin I have on the lens which is why I stopped using them altogether.

I agree that dropping a lens or banging it hard against another object is much more likely to induce lens significant barrel damage than lack of a lens skin.

Some wear or small scuffs/scratches on a lens barrel from frequent handling or carrying thru the brush just doesn't seem like a factor.

I've always considered lens skins/jackets/coats/sweaters unneeded and an aesthetic item that shouts "Look! I have a big expensive lens!"

 

[RichF]

I seen these on the forum. For those of us who are "all thumbs" how easy is it to install the skin? How well do the hold up? What about removing them?

 

[RichF]

For me... It is nice to have..... But certainly not necessary. I do like the fact that my lens looks a bit different than that of other folks. Just a little bit classy!

On trip with 4 other Nikon shooters it was easy to find MY camera and lens!

How easy was it for you to attach the skin - which did you pick?

 

[ButlerKid]

How easy was it for you to attach the skin - which did you pick?

Check out Posts #60 and #70 and #74. Mine (Nordic Black) is not quite as shiny as it appears in the photo. Obsidian Camo is nice also.

The pieces are pre-cut. So you just need to go slowly and carefully. If a piece is a bit crooked you can gently lift it up and put back down. See my Post #81. I used the tip of an exacto knife to help at times.

FWIW - in the past I have kept a LensCoat on my big tele. Never had a problem with the LensCoats. I have decided to NOT do anything to my Z 600mm right now. The funnel shape of the lens might be problematic for a skin. And I tend to like a bit more protection of the LensCoats.

What product out there is comparable to LensCoat (i.e. not just a "skin"??????)

 

[MatthewK]

My favorite technique so far is to mount the lens to a tripod so that you have both hands free. It's even easier if you have a lens with a tripod ring, so you can rotate it around as you apply.

Stretching of the vinyl: don't be too concerned, as you can trim piece to fit if you over-stretch, but can also stretch it to fit if you accidentally cut it too short. It wasn't too often that I had a piece lay down perfectly end-to-end, I always had to trim pieces.

Use a hair dryer to mold the pieces to the curves of the lens, it should help in the long run with keeping it so the edges don't lift up.

 

[MatthewK]

I agree that dropping a lens or banging it hard against another object is much more likely to induce lens significant barrel damage than lack of a lens skin.

Some wear or small scuffs/scratches on a lens barrel from frequent handling or carrying thru the brush just doesn't seem like a factor.

I've always considered lens skins/jackets/coats/sweaters unneeded and an aesthetic item that shouts "Look! I have a big expensive lens!"

"Condition: 8/10, a few scuffs from regular use, just cosmetic, nothing major, I swear"

It's one of those "have it, hope to not need it" sort of things.

 

[MatthewK]

I think I have a new favorite skin color: Military Green. Shown here on my 400 4.5, next to the 600PF in Midknight Black:

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[Calson]

I have come close to dropping 600mm f/4 lenses as a result of not being able to get a good grip on the barrel of the lens as the result of using a lens coat. This is the only situation where the body of the lens can get damaged. The lenses are OK as is when inside a backpack or a lens case and OK when mounted on a tripod or used hand held. White Sony or Canon lenses might conceivably be better with a covering that mutes their brightness.