Richgin
New member
I’m sure this question has been answered before but I can’t find it. Going on vacation and wanted some protection for my lens near the ocean
What protection for Nikon 200-500 lens do you use?
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Snapshot2020
Well-known member
On my 200-500 and the 500 PF both wear the Lens Coat. I photograph High Surf during stormy winter weather along the Oregon / Washington Coast and under these conditions my Camera / Lens while on a Tripod is also covered with a Water Proof Cover. After returning to the Truck I always carefully Clean the Lenses of any Salt Water Spray. A option that I know some Beach Photographers use are Clear or UV Filters on their Lenses.
Richgin
New member
I’m looking for the camolflauged covering that goes over the body of the lens
MikeJ
Well-known member
Check out the Tragopan CamShield cover for the 200-500, it has an extra piece that covers the zoom when it's extended. That part isn't fitted like a Lens Coat or the rest of the same cover from them, but more loose fitting I'm guessing to allow for zooming?
I have no affiliation with them, just on their mailing list.
I have no affiliation with them, just on their mailing list.
Turberticus
Well-known member
I've been handhold mine without any protection, but lately I've been thinking more about protecting it from light rain/scratches/dust/etc, so I just bought a cover from outdoorphotographygear.co.uk. They have a pretty good reputation and cost less than lens coat.
Nothing wrong with bump and ding protection from a neoprene Lens Coat, Tragopan Cam Shield or similar but ocean spray really doesn't really damage the exterior surfaces of lenses, you can just wipe down your camera after each shooting session. In really wet conditions the neoprene covers can actually trap moisture in and should be removed to allow things to dry out if things get really wet. I do use lens covers but it's really to limit scratches and dings from small bumps not really to protect from salt spray.
On the 200-500mm it's also a bit tough to protect the places that really matter, the gaps where the zoom telescopes in and out. Even with something like the Lens Coats you have the option of installing a neoprene cover with the lens fully extended but then it won't retract until you remove the cover and even with the cover in place the joints where spray or sand could get inside the lens aren't always covered as those are also gaps in the neoprene covers depending on how it's installed and if the cover shifts in use.
A lot of photographers use a clear or UV filter to keep salt spray off their front lens element when shooting in heavy surf conditions or when there's a lot of blowing sand to deal with. That can help by keeping salt spray off the front element and allowing you to clean just the filter if it does get sprayed but either way carry some lens wipe pads or microfiber cloth and cleaning fluid as salt spray on the glass is pretty typical if it's windy at the beach or if the surf is high.
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I agree with this. I live in Hawaii and shoot on or near the beach all the time. I've used many lenses without protection, just cleaning them afterward with no issues (although my wife got her D850/24-120 drenched by a rogue wave which required repair for both). Keep your lens from getting drenched with salt water (or any other water for that matter), and clean it after and you shouldn't have a problem. I've been doing it for many years and my lenses look like new.
I do wrap my 200-500 with camo medical tape, as I saw on a thread here, but that is for insulation from the hot sun. I've noticed when shooting seals or sea turtles that the black lens gets pretty hot to the touch in the sun so that gives it some protection from that. Probably not needed, but it is a cheap fix.
I use Lenscoat protection on all my lenses including the 200-500, but just leave the section off at the extendable section for the focus.
I never feel comfortable taking the 200-500 out in the rain as think it's too easy to get moisture inside the lens when you zoom in & out.
Haven't tried the Tragopan one to be honest but going by the Tragopan brand would imagine it would be well made & good quality for money as their other products are very good.
Totally agree with DRwyoming regarding taking the neoprene cover off if you get it wet, it just traps the moisture against the lens.
I never feel comfortable taking the 200-500 out in the rain as think it's too easy to get moisture inside the lens when you zoom in & out.
Haven't tried the Tragopan one to be honest but going by the Tragopan brand would imagine it would be well made & good quality for money as their other products are very good.
Totally agree with DRwyoming regarding taking the neoprene cover off if you get it wet, it just traps the moisture against the lens.
For the most part I don't worry about this too much. Around the surf, I would have lens coat. For P&S and cell phones, be extra careful. My wife had 3 P&S go bad on her when were photographing along the oregon coast. Luckily I did not have any problems w/ my Canon equipment.
Ado Wolf
Well-known member
I use my 200–500 lens without any cover in forests so no salt water risk. I do use an UV filter to avoid scratches from small beaches (as I go off trail). However I always keep with me a small towel in case it starts raining.. this way I make sure to dry the extended part of the lens before zooming it back in, to prevent water from entering inside.
I mentioned elsewhere I use the Lowepro 13-32 as general protection, but for a zodiac trip I used an apecase which can take a D7500 with the lens attached.
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