To "lens coat" or not to "lens coat" (for a Nikon lens)

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I just bought my second lens skin from https://alphagvrd.com/
I take my lenses out on the fresh and saltwater in my kayak. I tried neoprene covers and was never pleased with the fit and slop. These covers fit my Nikon 800 PF and the Nikon 180-600 like a glove and protect the lens from water splashes and ensuing spots. Applying the film requires going slow (for me) but once on they look great, protect the lens, leave all controls and even lettering visible and do not move around.
 
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RockvilleBob said:
I just bought my second lens skin from https://alphagvrd.com/
I take my lenses out on the fresh and saltwater in my kayak. I tried neoprene covers and was never pleased with the fit and slop. These covers fit my Nikon 800 PF and the Nikon 180-600 like a glove and protect the lens from water splashes and ensuing spots. Applying the film requires going slow (for me) but once on they look great, protect the lens, leave all controls and even lettering visible and do not move around.
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I’ll try it. Hope application goes well
 
No experience with other brands but I use Lenscoat neoprene covers for my long lenses, but not for my shorter ones. My telephotos take a little more abuse in the field so I feel that I need some protection, whereas I use my shorter lenses in less demanding situations for landscapes, scenics, and macros. Lenscoat covers do a good job protecting against accidental bumps and scratches so I feel they are a worthwhile investment. As others have pointed out, they eventually get a little ragged - in fact, I’m due for a new one soon on one of my lenses.
 
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I used them when I first started because everyone else said I should. I don't anymore, more than 3/4 of what I do is shot with large exotics and neoprene covers are a hindrance - especially with the large Z's with built-in TC's. I've used my equipment in nearly every environment -40C, hot and humid, saltwater, freshwater, sand etc., and everything is just fine. Sometimes it requires a little extra cleaning, but for what this stuff costs, I don't mind.
 
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Have a lenscoat permanently on the 400 f2.8, plus a thinktank rain cover permanently on the hood (it scratches so easily), and the rest of the rain cover ready to go when needed
Otherwise dont use them
 
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StevieJSmall said:
I just asked this in Winston Churchill’s thread and am asking in here too:

Genuinely asking: what is the purpose of a lens sleeve?
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I use a LENSCOAT for my lenses, I do see the pros & cons of both the lens skins & Lenscoat but for me the LENSCOAT gives the lens more protection.
You spend a lot of money on your photography gear so why would you not protect it as much as you can?
I recently traded in a couple of lenses which had worn a LENSCOAT since the day they were purchased & received an amazing price as they were in such good condition.
(PS: to add to that I also keep all the original boxes but that’s another story). 👍
 
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I found a neoprene sleeve to be unusable with the new Z lenses. There are so many control rings that you get small parts and it is just impossible to find the right spot to move the ring. One big mess, so I removed them.

I liked one on my ofl 500 f/4 G lens, but I have switched to vinyl for my Z lenses, and only the big ones.

I never had a coat on my 500pf, but after carrying it on my hip for a few years I can tell you that also Nikon's black paint comes off... It will affect resale value, so that is a bummer, but it doesn't hurt the lens. Never thought about selling it anyway, it is by far my favourite walkabout lens. And then the 600pf came along 🤔
 
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Pistnbroke said:
Use gun wrap ..cheaper easier and does not leave a mark.
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is it this? Would you mind putting a photo up if you have something different?
Screenshot 2023-10-15 at 10.07.35.png
 
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I have another question:
When I sit at a waterhole for hours - and it's hot (like 35 - 45 degrees celcius hot)
How to keep the gear "cool" ?
I sometimes throw a towel over the lot which definitely does help - but what about a black lens sleeve/coat/thing in that heat?
 
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hrv said:
I found a neoprene sleeve to be unusable with the new Z lenses. There are so many control rings that you get small parts and it is just impossible to find the right spot to move the ring. One big mess, so I removed them.

I liked one on my ofl 500 f/4 G lens, but I have switched to vinyl for my Z lenses, and only the big ones.

I never had a coat on my 500pf, but after carrying it on my hip for a few years I can tell you that also Nikon's black paint comes off... It will affect resale value, so that is a bummer, but it doesn't hurt the lens. Never thought about selling it anyway, it is by far my favourite walkabout lens. And then the 600pf came along 🤔
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I had that same issue with the LENSCOAT on my 600TC so only used the larger sections to ensure the bulk of the lens is covered.
I didn’t use the small strips meant for the zoom ring, controls etc.
 
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Winston Churchill (Sir) said:
I have another question:
When I sit at a waterhole for hours - and it's hot (like 35 - 45 degrees celcius hot)
How to keep the gear "cool" ?
I sometimes throw a towel over the lot which definitely does help - but what about a black lens sleeve/coat/thing in that heat?
Click to expand...
slightly off topic but related, US Consumer Reports compared the interior temp of a light color car w/ light seats versus a black car with dark color seats. The difference was only a few degrees F (or a C).
 
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After 25 yrs using LensCoat for my Nikkor primes, I got tired of the fraying and pinching & grabbing when using them on a bean bag.
I turned to AlphaGuard/LifeGuard 12 months ago.
I have had the Tiger Stripe Camo vinyl wrap on my Z400tc & Z70-200 on for that time and 3 trips (of 3 weeks each) to Africa as testament to their wear. And leave in 10 days time for another 3 week Serengeti assignment with this trio, plus my 24-70 f/4..
I've since added this wrap to my Z400 f/4.5 as well and (so far) very happy with the results.
Would have preferred a more "Desert camo" pattern, but nothing ( as yet) was available at the time, and the Tiger Stripe has now grown on me.
They are time consuming to apply, but found the wrap to be very forgiving to apply, a good plastic applicator that came with my kit was very handy.
Have included a couple of closeup images also. (y)




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Cheers
Marc
 
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marc said:
After 25 yrs using LensCoat for my Nikkor primes, I got tired of the fraying and pinching & grabbing when using them on a bean bag.
I turned to AlphaGuard/LifeGuard 12 months ago.
I have had the Tiger Stripe Camo vinyl wrap on my Z400tc & Z70-200 on for that time and 3 trips (of 3 weeks each) to Africa as testament to their wear. And leave in 10 days time for another 3 week Serengeti assignment with this trio, plus my 24-20 f/4..
I've since added this wrap to my Z400 f/4.5 as well and (so far) very happy with the results.
Would have preferred a more "Desert camo" pattern, but nothing ( as yet) was available at the time, and the Tiger Stripe has now grown on me.
They are time consuming to apply, but found the wrap to be very forgiving to apply, a good plastic applicator that came with my kit was very handy.
Have included a couple of closeup images also. (y)




View attachment 71893





Cheers
Marc
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Hey Marc, great to hear from you.
Hope the Serengeti has yielded some great experiences and images
cheers mate
 
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markymark said:
I had that same issue with the LENSCOAT on my 600TC so only used the larger sections to ensure the bulk of the lens is covered.
I didn’t use the small strips meant for the zoom ring, controls etc.
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Put me in the same camp. I’ve had lenscoat on my 800f5.6E and 600f4e for years and generally liked it and felt it did provide some extra protection that I like. Whether real or not, I also felt it kept the lens from baking quite so much in the sun. And while minor, it does add a little extra padding when I sling the lens+camera+monopod over my shoulder, which is often how I use them, especially the 800f5.6. But now with the 800Z I may not be using the monopod as much and not slinging it as much. Man, it still freaks me out whenever I pick up the 800Z - after years of carrying the 800f5.6E I honestly feel like I’m picking up the wrong lens. I often pick it up too fast, because I’m expecting it to weigh a lot more. It just feels wrong (and also so good) how light it is ….

However when I got the 800Z I had a few more issues finding and using the rings and buttons. And then recently I got the 600TC and that was much worse, and had an additional problem. I was trying to figure out why I kept slipping into manual focus mode. I thought I was bumping the focus ring or maybe accidentally hitting one of the lens function buttons for focus recall. But I eventually figured out it was happening when I rotated the lens in the collar. With the focus ring right next to the collar, the sections of lenscoat would rub against each other and rotate the focus ring. For a while I was just being careful about making sure there was decent separation between the lenscoat sections on the focus ring and the neighboring sections, but invariably after slinging the lens+camera over my shoulder the lenscoat would shift a little and start rubbing again, causing the focus ring issue. So this morning I removed the sections on the focus ring and control ring.

I also find it harder to find and push the lens function buttons on the new Z lenses with lenscoat on than I did with my F-mount lenses. I haven’t spent a lot of time analyzing why yet, and it might just be years of muscle memory on the old lenses.

Anyway, I’ve been debating the lenscoat vs partial lenscoat vs no coat vs tape/other-alternative for a while. No real answers - but I’ll be closely following this thread.
 
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Just posted this in another thread:

Comparison to neoprene LensCoat covers:

LensCoat: more padded = better bump protection, 100x easier to apply and remove. Cons: smells like neoprene, can collect water underneath, pieces wear out/get stinky, can cover lens function buttons, adds bulk & girth to lens, could interfere with hood reversal

AlphaGvrd: less bulky, perfect fit, doesn't get frayed or worn, water proof. Cons: smells like scotch tape, no bump protection, can't be reused once removed.

Both protect the lens from incidental scratches and abrasions, the LensCoat just does it better; I'm not one to slam my gear into things, so I'm ok with less protection. The vinyl wraps are like using the bare lens + a scratch protection layer over top. To me, that's the nice thing about them, just having less bulk and a more tactile connection to the lens.

Anecdotal side-story: my wife uses a Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L. It's been her only lens for the past 2 years, and she doesn't give it any preferential treatment. No lens cover of any sort, keeps it bare in a backpack with no padding, and the thing is pristine. I often wonder if these covers are necessary, as I like using the lens without them, but I just know that as soon as I go naked, something dumb will happen that will make me regret it :sneaky:
 
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marc said:
After 25 yrs using LensCoat for my Nikkor primes, I got tired of the fraying and pinching & grabbing when using them on a bean bag.
I turned to AlphaGuard/LifeGuard 12 months ago.
I have had the Tiger Stripe Camo vinyl wrap on my Z400tc & Z70-200 on for that time and 3 trips (of 3 weeks each) to Africa as testament to their wear. And leave in 10 days time for another 3 week Serengeti assignment with this trio, plus my 24-70 f/4..
I've since added this wrap to my Z400 f/4.5 as well and (so far) very happy with the results.
Would have preferred a more "Desert camo" pattern, but nothing ( as yet) was available at the time, and the Tiger Stripe has now grown on me.
They are time consuming to apply, but found the wrap to be very forgiving to apply, a good plastic applicator that came with my kit was very handy.
Have included a couple of closeup images also. (y)




View attachment 71893



View attachment 71894





View attachment 71895





View attachment 71898



Cheers
Marc
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Tiger Stripe is awesome, I really like it too, more than the "Urban Camo" pattern I have on my 800PF. It'll def be what I put on my 600PF someday as well.
 
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MatthewK said:
Tiger Stripe is awesome, I really like it too, more than the "Urban Camo" pattern I have on my 800PF. It'll def be what I put on my 600PF someday as well.
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Ordered covers for a few lens, in black. I know BOOOORRRIINNNNGGGG. Any tips/tricks to putting it on the lens?
 
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