Me neither, Jan. I'm 61 and have a decades-long history of having the most clumsy, un-artistic hands in the world. Pretty ridiculous, as I've been a professional musician for over 40 of those years, but the hands that can play the piano with few issues can barely tie a pair of shoelaces! 🙄 If I tried to put some sort of skins on my lenses, there are two things I can be sure of: 1) It would look like an art project from a Kindergartner who was working blindfolded; and 2) I'd probably end up covering front AND back lens elements!
It was fantastic to meet you in the wetlands a couple weeks back, Duade! Hoping to head back again soon with my partner, hopefully see you again sometime!
I prefer neoprene covers, which make the lens more comfortable in cold weather. Neoprene covers are also much faster to apply. Neoprene is also less shiny and attracts less attention from birds or wildlife.
One little tip that makes it a bit easier is to get a small cup of warm water and put a drop of dish water in it. Get a Q tip and just rub the warm water mixture on the back (the adhesive side ) before putting it on the lens. That lets you be able to slide it around to get it lined up much easier. Once you get it set it will dry and stay on with no issues. It makes it much easier to do that then just try to lign it up perfectly. I have done a ton of my lenses with this technique and it works perfectly. Hope that helps :)
Duade - The 3M lens protection product is great - I've used a camo pattern for a year on my RF 100-500 and I'm very happy with it. It's paper thin (it can even be applied to the tube exposed when zooming out), extremely durable and can be removed easily without a trace by gently heating with a hair dryer. While many of your viewers will appreciate the pre-cut for convenience, I purchased mine in uncut sheets from Mossy Oaks Graphics (there are dozens of patterns to choose from). It certainly takes longer to measure and cut, but if you get a piece stuck to itself during the install, it becomes unusable - with a full sheet, you can cut another. Also, you can replace a piece if one gets scratched.
Ditto. One of the first things I did to my 100-500 and 70-200 2.8 was to cover them with the Mossy Oak camo film. Yes, it is time consuming but it stretches slightly so it can be used on the tripod mount ring as well. Highly recommended!
I’ve got one of these kits sitting in the office, been there a couple of months, having watched this video I think it will be staying there! Well done Duade 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
A couple of things about the neoprene covers: 1. get a make of cover that has stitching on the edges. I have had covers where the camo material peels away from the neoprene; 2. If the neoprene gets wet, it can retain the moisture, so remove it and let it dry away from the lens.
So what neoprene cover has stitching on the edge? I'm looking at purchasing very soon. This video couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks @Duade and Andy!!
It's definitely worth it. I had a lens coat for my Nikkor Z 600MM f4 TC, and I wasn't a big fan of it. I then found a company called Alphagvrd that did a vinyl cover. It was pricey, but the so is the lens 😅. Oh, and you're very patient Duade, I got my wife to do it for me 😂.
Oh my goodness that does look rather a fiddle so well done Duade for doing that on camera - I have cut up old 'pop socks' that I use much easier! I always thought that white lenses were manufactured that colour to stop them overheating.
I am a frequent watcher of your videos. A week ago I started looking at lense covers for my 200-800 and I wasn't sure if it would be any good 😄. I ended up not buying. I will reconsider. Thank you for this video. Love all your work. Feels great watching.
Ive sewn a sleeve for my xf 150-600. A couple bucks for some fabric and some easy sewing. I chose to wax the fabric after to make it water resistant and it works wonderfully!
Great video, Duade! I had mine wrapped in October and it seems to hold on very well. It's the same brand as yours is, but a slightly different pattern. I too left out the covers for the zoom and function rings. All the best, Alex
Hi Duade, I have to take my hat off to you, I haven't the patience to put all those fiddly bits on. However previously I did purchase a thin neoprene cover with windows for the switches and controls for a Sigma 150-600mm, it was awful and after a few uses it was in the bin, I guess in this case you get what you pay for at the moment I haven't covered any of my lenses I am ultra careful with them but I do appreciate why you cover them I just haven't found what I think is good value for money yet.
Thanks mate, yes, it is a lot of work and you are right some of them can get in the way for sure. I must admit I am not as careful as I should be so some protection is needed for my style. Cheers, Duade
There's no way I'd have the patience or the dexterity to apply that! Well done for managing it. I use neoprene covers from a UK-based company which work well and offer plenty of scratch protection on my RF600mm f4 and RF100-500mm. If I'm honest, I don't like using any kind of cover though because they all interfere with the buttons and the rings and slow me down. That said -while I don't treat my lenses roughly, I certainly don't baby them so I keep the covers on to protect future resale value. Nothing puts a buyer off like battered paint on one of the white lenses - it just looks bad, no matter how well the lens works.
I just fitted one of these on a OM 150-600mm and it took just over 2hrs. But not sure how protective this is compared to the usual covers (which I took off to fit this). Monetary wise it is a lot cheaper, under £17, but had to wait a few weeks for delivery. Yep 3M as well but arrived rolled up in a recanglular box via Aliexpress, but let us know how well it does on your devices. Should say mines arrived on 3 separate sheets, I did put the bits over the rubber focus and extending grips. Thanks for bringing the option to your viewers attention.
I like that the kit is pre-cut. Well done. I used "Mossy Oak graphics" film on my 200-800. It comes in a roll in many colors in 6" wide by 7' long. Amazon carries it on average $25 US. The only issue is you need to measure and cut each piece. It took me about 4 hrs. I also covered the barrel so when zoomed it doesn't show white. It is thin enough it did not cause any issues with zooming in and out and works smooth as it did without. I also left the rubber zoom ring uncovered as I like the better grip on the rubber.
It's actually quite easy to put them on. I ordered the same from China, too, and the fitting was absolutely spot on! I removed the tape after a while because I don't like how it feels and the concluded that the dark tape wasn't really helping in direct sunlight with the heat building up.
Thanks for the feedback, probably me shaking a lot does not help. Interesting re the heat, I will have to keep an eye on that. I am not out often in direct in the middle of the day so have not had an issue with heat yet, but will keep an eye on it. Cheers, Duade
Pro tip for older lenses with the rubber grip turning grey, scrub the rubber with a dry toothbrush, that will remove most of the grey. Optional, touch it up with armor all protectant or similar. Can make the grip feel sticky. Spray the cloth, not the lens.
I use a hybrid approach - I add this type of cover to the larger parts of the lens, but also add a traditional neoprene cover over it, as it gives more protection from bumping and is more comfortable to hold, especially in the cold
Lens coats are easy to put on and remove, which is what I always did before service at the Canon facility in Jamesburg NJ. When lenses need to be serviced, covered screws under 3M tape will hinder repair. Don’t expect repair facility to carefully remove or replace camo tape, they’ll probably just return the lens unrepaired.
I just purchased a new lens coat from a company located down there in your neck of the woods called “Yurecam”. It’s by far the best lens cover I’ve ever purchased. It’s easy to put on and gives access to all buttons and indicators with pre cutouts. It was half the cost of the lenscoats on other websites and the shipping here to the states was only $7! I purchased for my Nikon 180-600 and couldn’t be more pleased!
You have the patience of Job! I would have to search the web to purchase a bucket of patience before attempting this task. Watching your painstaking work, I think I would quickly arrive at a "just shoot me" moment. I guess I'll stick with white for now. After all, we all know how important it is to effectively reduce excessive heat. 😉
Thanks Ray, yes, it is a test of patience for sure, not an undertaking I would like to do all that often. I can see why people prefer the lens coat option or just leaving the lens as is. Cheers, Duade
A lens cover is a must have. I have the 'camshield' from Tragopan and I love them for my big lenses. Two big wrap arounds with velcro for the hood and main body. Two rubber parts for the rear. Found this after being disappointed with lens coat and the many fiddly bits. Edit: I don't know why UA-cam added a link in my comment but it's not right. Thank you for this video and patience applying this for all of us to see!
I know some have mentioned concerns about adding to the extension tube but I added camo 3m to my 100-500 and i like it more. No extra dust or issues whatsoever with IQ. The lens is a tad more difficult to extend but that actually hold the lens in place while walking. Anyways that’s just my experience. I know people will hate me for it but I don’t care I like it.
I bought one you recommended for the RF 100-500. I opened it and looked at everything but didn’t have time to do it then. I put it on top of my printer to do later. A couple of days later I had some time and went to do it. It wasn’t there any longer. I believe that my wife thought it was trash of some kind and threw it away. She doesn’t remember it. I ended up selling the lens before I could get another. It looked nice but I was in no hurry to do it.
Thanks for another great video Duade, I’m due to get my R200-800 early next week and have been looking at this type of option. On my EF500 mkii I made my own neoprene covers but with lens it looks like it could be more of a job.
Hi Duade, Thanks for the videos. I have my 100-500 covered in “mossy oak graphics” also by 3M. It is similar to your material but doe not come pre-cut, just a roll which you have to cut yourself. I actually have my zoom extension coated as well. The material is thin enough not to interfere with the lens function. I bought mine from Amazon for some 25 usd I believe.
I have a neoprene lens cover because it's better protection for bumping/scratching. But my zoom extension is also covered in mossy oak by 3m. As you said, it doesn't interfere with the zoomfunction. I don't feel a difference in friction/tightness and it makes the white less obvious.
One correction at 0:52 - Lenscoat makes a neoprene lens cover. It provides padding, scratch protection, etc. But it’s not a “foam”, it is neoprene. There is a big difference in a “foam” type cover versus a neoprene cover. Personally, I prefer (and used) a neoprene type cover on my Canon 200-600mm lens for the following reasons: • Waterproof • Provides a Thermal Barrier • Provides Padding • Prevents scratches • Helps Maintain Resale Value of Lens • Easy to Install and Remove
Thanks, yes I realised my error, and is why I put the text on the video but thanks for the feedback. Lots of good points there. Many people saying neoprene can retain moisure and cause issues later? Cheers, Duade
Keep in mind, you dont have to apply all of them. One can easily decide to skip on the lens hood, buttons/rings or small pieces. I've got something similar for my R6II and honestly, if 95% is covered and the last 5% are more convenient to leave uncovered, i'd say that's fine too.
I used the Mossy Oak camo”shadow grass blades” pattern to cover my RF 100-500 and RF 70-200 F2.8. I chose this pattern as it closely matches the tall grasses of the marshes here in north Florida. Also, you can (and I did) cover the zoom tube with this Mossy Oak film as it is super thin and smooth. That said, I would have tried the film you used Duade if I had known about it 4 years ago. Thanks for this video I’m sure it will help many photographers!
I love the Lifeguard lens skins -- they do an excellent job protecting expensive gear from the inevitable bumps and scratches. They're much "cleaner" looking and don't fray over time like the lenscoats can. I have the tiger strip pattern on all my Nikon long lenses. Looks cool and peels off without residue years later. They're not cheap but are worth the price of protection IMO.
Heavens to Betsy Duade, 3 or 4 hours to fit!? I fitted my Rolanpro in 20 minutes. Edges are stitched and after six months no edge peeling/splitting problems Cover on extension section easily comes on/off in the field eg on tripod and lens fully extended although I dont bother. I feel more comfortable crawling about in the bush with it 😎
I didn't know these existed, thanks for the info. I have always used 3M vinyl wrap from Mossy Oak Graphics. I don't get anywhere near as fiddly with the little pieces, I just want to break up the lens outline. I don't have any high end glass with tight tolerances, so the extended lens barrel when zoomed can be covered with the vinyl without any problems....
My covers are neoprene from Outdoor Photography Gear Ltd in England. 41 pounds for 100-500mm and 55 pounds for 200-800mm. The mesh for the zoom was 6.49 and 8 pounds respectively. I do find that the mesh can gather when pulling back if it slips. I purchased to protect the lenses from scratches and bumps.
If your really seriousy in to getting close, sure but i rather have the neoprene or fabric one, much easier to apply and gives secondary benefit of making the lens nicer to use in cold weather.
Thanks for the vid 👍 Which one would you say you prefer : the lens cover that sticks to the lens, or the more loose lens coat? What are the pros and cons of each?
SUPER helpful. Way too finicky for me, plus I like the cushion of the Lens Coat on my Sony 200-800, which provides extra protection. The Lens Coat material also appears more non-reflective to me owning to the mat coloring and the micro-irregular surface due to the fabric weave. The 3M Anti-Scratch Lens Skin looks like it has a surface sheen that could be quite reflective if the sun-lens-observer angle lineup just right. Not sure if that last point is true, but it seemed so under the lights of filming. That said, the 3M Lens Skin is less bulky, which could be important in certain use cases. Overall, I am personally not tempted by this product, but I am sure it might fit the needs of some users. All the best.
I've recently put neoprene covers on my 600mm F4L and 200-800 Canon lenses and really like the finish and protection they provide. I went for the "Chasing Birds" brand from AliExpress. The covers were perfect fit and easy to put on. Highly recommended. I have no association with the product
I've found when I put mine on my RF 100-500, the stickers themselves stretch a small distance giving quite a bit of overlap sometimes. Otherwise it's pretty good, I feel less visible than using a bright white lens and it's protected the lens really well. You get used to the unavoidable small imperfections when you place the stickers. Some fluff sticks to them occasionally but it does a nice job. Only downside is it definitely heats up the lens in the sun, but I haven't noticed any negatives from that.
Thanks for sharing your experience, many people have commented on the potential heat issue so perhaps a white sticker would be better in really hot climates or if you are out for long periods. I don't spend much time out in direct sunlight in the middle of the day so has not been an issue for me. Cheers, Duade
I did something very similar with my 400f5.6 lens, I bought a roll of camo vinyl from Temu, it’s still holding up ok, although cutting it to the right size was a bit fiddly.
I'm all for these 3M lens covers, all my lenses have it, even my camera now. Yes, the install is a bit harder, but it's ok. I order mine from ali express as these are exactly the same as others and cheaper.
I’ve done a few of these and there’s been 2 consistent issues. One, the material is easily stretched which can lead to some of the overlaps, and two, on zoom lenses the holes for the focal length numbers seem to rarely line up. I also find that you can get the same stuff from Ali Express for about a third of the cost. It’s all the same 3M material no matter where you buy it from.
Thanks Dan, great feedback and I totally agree. I got my first one from Aliexpress but found some people in the US struggle to buy from Ali Express so decided to share an ebay link which works everywhere. Cheers, Duade
Hi from a very warm Brissy! What a PITA to put on! I purchased the lenscoat for my Nikon 500PF, but it didn't take long for the parts to fray at the ends, and end up pretty useless. I was able to get the section that has the plastic see-through part replaced as that went first, but I'm unimpressed with it considering the cost. Eventually all the parts frayed and I ended up removing the parts that were left. A friend gave me some camo neoprene material which my wife cut to size for each part of the lens, but they have become loose after some time. Another friend purchased one from the US (can't recall the brand) it sticks on similar to the one you show here, but looks great. Rolanpro has had good reviews, but I haven't purchased anything since...got plenty of the camo neoprene material left.
G'day Duade. I strongly admire your patience. It's a very enlightening video!! I guess both covers each have their pros and cons. I prefer the ticker (&easier) lenscoat, because it offers protection in more cases of unfriendly encounters between the lens and other objects. But its neoprene is able to absorb rain/humidity .. and it was partly to blame for my 100-500 fogging up internal for nearly 48 hours after the sequence: sudden evening rain, a night in airco, next day 30 degrees and nearly 100% humidity 🙈 I notice your 100-500 now has an alternative arca swiss lensfoot. Which make is it ?? and is it comfortable enough to walk some distance while carrying the gear by the lens foot ?? After some attempt to repair by Canon, my lensfoot is again loosening, which is annoying mostly when wanting to rotate the lens by the foot when swapping lenses.
I dislike the idea of sticking something onto my gear, I'd always worry it'll never come off clean again once the time comes. Definitely sticking (hehe, see what I did there?) to neoprene covers. They provide a little bump protection (a sticker can't do that) and they don't get cold in low temperatures. Very happy with my LensCoat stuff.
Interesting product, but like others I prefer neoprene covers which can readily be removed and are also much easier to apply. The neoprene also gives some padding / protection although it is quite minimal.
I've been using Mossy Oak Graphics skin on my lenses. I bought one of these for my 100-500mm but seeing that many pieces freaked me out and had to return it. I like the looks on your cameras though.
I have used the Lens coat, which have become so expensive, but now using the Camo Premium neoprene covers from Outdoor Photography Gear (I have no links to this UK company). The 200-800 was AU$129.73, thus quite a lot more than what Duade paid, however much easier to install than, the Chinese company product and neoprene provides a lot of protection. Not sure that I would want to use stickers to be honest. The Camo premium cover was fitted in about 1 minute.
I have the same lens cover and I love it, but I got mine from a website that specializes in lens covers. I didn't have any issues with pieces being too long or covering anything up.
I am using Chasing Bird's neoprene covers; they are well-priced and cheaper than the usual suspects, i.e., Lenscoat or Rolandpro. They were my only option when Nikon released the 180-600 and have been good.
Duade, you have spared me from attempting that particular mission--- though the price is nice. What would you reckon the value of camouflage to be? In the video, do you think your camo efforts were stymied by your friend right next to you not wearing camo? (Incidentally, my father worked for 3M, in Minnesota, which is the first of the three M's-- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing-- I don't know if that is generally known, these days.)
Thanks Chris, it is a mission for sure. I doubt the camo does that much to be honest. Birds at least seem more senstive to noise and movement. Yes, perhaps my mate being there played a part but we still had birds coming in. Oh interesting re 3M. Cheers, Duade
I've added 3M covers to all my most used lenses, but I've cut them all myself to save money. Anyone with a home die cut machine can do it. I just purchased the digital templates for my lenses online and I order the 3M wrap by the roll. There aren't templates available for all lenses, so I've had to hand cut the wrap for those, including my Sigma 500mm f/4. The pieces are mostly rectangles so its really not too hard to do manually. I think I paid about $50 US for the roll of 3M wrap, but it would have cost around $400 to get pre-cut covers. Another benefit of cutting them yourself the ability to customize them. For instance, I chose to cover the logos and focus distance window on my lenses whereas the pre-cut kits have openings for these.
Sounds amazing! Where can you find the templates and what kind of wrap did you order? All I can find at the moment is some really weird colors sold by car guys😞
@@DKtracks I can't remember where I purchased the cut files from. I just did a Google search and found them for just a few dollars each. I've been using 3M 2080 wrap, specifically the Shadow Black design. I purchased that from Rvinyl.
I applied a camo one for my Canon 90D, now I'm not using it anymore sinc ei have the R6 MKII but it looks really sick, unfortunately wasn't perfect, but I am really happy with how it came out
I still prefer the Rolanpro, Lenscoat style neoprene as it adds to the weather resistance as well, can't see what is on effect a bit of tape adding much other than scratch protection.
I got a black version of this "sticker camo" for my Sony 200-600 for added bump/scratch protection. I had to modify and remove some bits because they just didn't fit very well and got in the way of the alignment/rotation ring. Took around 30 minutes to apply. Need to have - absolutely not. Nice to have - yes, I'd say so.
I got the lenscoat for 200-800. love it. 3m wouldn't be my thing. Sticking it looks too much trouble. And the 3mm neoprene seem to offer more protection imo.
Back in the day, manufacturers used to say lenses were white to better regulate internal temperatures and protect the 'special' lens coatings used. Then, consumers come along and fit coats to their lenses, but I don't recall any lens failures as a result. Perhaps it was just a marketing ploy - think photos of sports photographers and all the white Canon lenses on show.
First ask why you need a camo cover. To protect the lens, fine. Lenses are white to reflect light to keep the lens cooler, less distortion of the optical elements inside. Creatures are mostly sensitive to movement. Camo works with humans but not so much with creatures whose eyes function differently. A deer cannot see a bright orange tiger when we can. Birds have superior colour vision but it is attuned to movement. Us humans are very good at stalking, it is practically instinctive. Creatures often like so see where we are, to confirm that we are not actively hunting them, the "little black rain cloud". Sudden movement will have them scatter.
Thanks Jeff, agree birds are mostly sensitve to noise and movement. Good tip re heat, perhaps a white sticker would be better for those out in direct sunlight. I don't shoot often in direct hot sunlight so has not been an issue for me personally. Cheers, Duade
I have seen couple of other brands selling similar lens skins and compared to Neoprene lenscoats these are much more convenient for zoom lenses and for using buttons on the lens(I use those quite a lot on my macro lenses).
Seems that if you are ready to put in some time and concentration you can get a pretty neat outcome with the stickers. But it looks way too painstaking job for me 😬Also stickers look quite glossy, I would like matte more.
Great video mate. You have a lot of patience too i see hehe. I have a lot of that in the field, but for things like this, i don't heheh. By the way, i have send you a e-mail. All the best to you and yours. Cheers, Bjoern
My thoughts only .... and please do not think I'm saying you should not use lens covers. The whole reason these lenses are white is to stop heat building up inside the lens, it deflects the light thus keeps the inside of the lens cool. Having hot air inside the lens can cause soft images as well as the lens hood, for that reason I don't use them, despite living in cold wet England :D
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback, do you have any technical reports or trials done on this? I only ask as my lenses have never got hot that I am aware of, admittedly I don't shoot in the middle of the day. My other question is what do Nikon do with black lenses? Cheers, Duade
I bought some Mossy oak graphics vinyl and cut it out myself and fitted it which requires some work!! 🫤 I prefer this finish on zooms as a lot of the neoprene ones tend to slip around over time. All the best
I also use the Mossy Oak Graphics vinyl on my 500 f4 and 100-500. I think it's probably a lot cheaper than $40 for both lenses. The finished job is not as neat looking, but it works just fine for me. Really wish Canon didn't make there telephotos white!
How often do you actually carry / use a Camera bag ??? What is the weight of the vmbag with the gear included that you carry on your back everytime ????
G'day Colin, I don't walk that far with my camera bag to be honest so never been a massive issue for me. Most of the time I leave it in the truck or just take it short distances. Cheers, Duade
If you use Nikon your lenses are generally black and you don't need to cover them like white Canon L lenses to make them less visible to onlookers or wildlife. Isn't the white colour supposed to reflect the sun and stop the lens absorbing too much heat ?? I ca't see the 3M kit providing much protection if you scrape the lens on a wall or a tree. Good video from Duade as usual.
Thanks for the comment, many people mention the white reflected the heat. If I am honest I am rarely out in hot midday sun so not a big issue for me but I would be interested to hear how much of a difference there is between Nikon and Canon in terms of heat. Cheers, Duade
One thing that concerns me about the dark stickers is Canon makes the lenses a light color for a reason. The lens heating up from sunlight impacts the performance of the lens. So, while I'm okay with adding a light color cover I don't think the dark colors you are using are a good idea. While I hadn't payed too much attention to your stickered lens before, that one looks awful glossy and the light areas seem even worse. I used lighter colored digital camo tape on my my EF 100-400 II. I hadn't added anything to my RF 100-500 or RF 200-800. I did just order some Mossy Oak Winter Brush adhesive we rap and will use that if it is as described. Which is that it has a non reflective mat finish. Its light color shouldn't be an issue with heating up the lens. And hopefully the brush pattern will help break up the shape of the lens.
Thanks for the feedback, I honestly had not given any attention to the lens heating up. Probably because I am rarely out in direct sunlight in the middle of the day. I shoot an hour or two after sunrise and before sunset so have not had an issue with the lens getting hot. But good point if you are out shooting all day in the direct sun. Any idea what Nikon do with their black lenses? Cheers, Duade
I definitely wouldn’t trust myself to even get one of those on there straight 😂
Great job and patience
.. says the man who's using a cutter on his lens caps to keep the world record time to swap extenders 🤪🤣🙈
Me neither, Jan. I'm 61 and have a decades-long history of having the most clumsy, un-artistic hands in the world. Pretty ridiculous, as I've been a professional musician for over 40 of those years, but the hands that can play the piano with few issues can barely tie a pair of shoelaces! 🙄 If I tried to put some sort of skins on my lenses, there are two things I can be sure of: 1) It would look like an art project from a Kindergartner who was working blindfolded; and 2) I'd probably end up covering front AND back lens elements!
Don't laugh I triple dog dare you to try it. :)
@@WernerBirdNature hehe! destruction is a a lot easier than this I'd say :D
@@dennisharris144 I almost wanna do it now :D
I don’t think I’d have the patience to apply the 3M one! Thanks for answering why these are used though. Appreciate the video as always!!
And removing it.....
It was fantastic to meet you in the wetlands a couple weeks back, Duade!
Hoping to head back again soon with my partner, hopefully see you again sometime!
I prefer neoprene covers, which make the lens more comfortable in cold weather. Neoprene covers are also much faster to apply. Neoprene is also less shiny and attracts less attention from birds or wildlife.
True, but our Aussie friends are hardly ever exposed to cold weather 😛
and indeed, less shiny is a bonus as well !
I like neoprene covers too. In sunny/hot weather it gives me an option to take off the cover for the white color to absorb less heat.
One little tip that makes it a bit easier is to get a small cup of warm water and put a drop of dish water in it. Get a Q tip and just rub the warm water mixture on the back (the adhesive side ) before putting it on the lens. That lets you be able to slide it around to get it lined up much easier. Once you get it set it will dry and stay on with no issues. It makes it much easier to do that then just try to lign it up perfectly. I have done a ton of my lenses with this technique and it works perfectly. Hope that helps :)
What a great suggestion, thanks for sharing. I will have to try next time. Cheers, Duade
Duade - The 3M lens protection product is great - I've used a camo pattern for a year on my RF 100-500 and I'm very happy with it. It's paper thin (it can even be applied to the tube exposed when zooming out), extremely durable and can be removed easily without a trace by gently heating with a hair dryer. While many of your viewers will appreciate the pre-cut for convenience, I purchased mine in uncut sheets from Mossy Oaks Graphics (there are dozens of patterns to choose from). It certainly takes longer to measure and cut, but if you get a piece stuck to itself during the install, it becomes unusable - with a full sheet, you can cut another. Also, you can replace a piece if one gets scratched.
Ditto. One of the first things I did to my 100-500 and 70-200 2.8 was to cover them with the Mossy Oak camo film. Yes, it is time consuming but it stretches slightly so it can be used on the tripod mount ring as well. Highly recommended!
G'day, thanks for sharing, I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
I’ve got one of these kits sitting in the office, been there a couple of months, having watched this video I think it will be staying there! Well done Duade 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Made me laugh Roger, yes, you need to set aside a lot of time and patience :-) Cheers, Duade
You are a patient man. I would have thrown the whole thing in the garbage 5 minutes into the job. 😁
Thanks, yes, I am not sure I would like to do it again soon. Cheers, Duade
A couple of things about the neoprene covers: 1. get a make of cover that has stitching on the edges. I have had covers where the camo material peels away from the neoprene; 2. If the neoprene gets wet, it can retain the moisture, so remove it and let it dry away from the lens.
Great tips Andy, Cheers, Duade
So what neoprene cover has stitching on the edge? I'm looking at purchasing very soon. This video couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks @Duade and Andy!!
@@raylo1017 I'm not sure about the Lenscoat covers, but I recently got a Rolanpro one, and they definitely do.
I have a Rolanpro with stitching cover as well. Less fiddly and don't have to stress so much about alignment
It's definitely worth it. I had a lens coat for my Nikkor Z 600MM f4 TC, and I wasn't a big fan of it. I then found a company called Alphagvrd that did a vinyl cover. It was pricey, but the so is the lens 😅. Oh, and you're very patient Duade, I got my wife to do it for me 😂.
Thanks for sharing mate, glad to hear you have one that works well. Yes, it is a very delicate job that needs a lot of patience. Cheers, Duade
Lens looks great, and most birds have excellent vision. A must for getting close!
Oh my goodness that does look rather a fiddle so well done Duade for doing that on camera - I have cut up old 'pop socks' that I use much easier! I always thought that white lenses were manufactured that colour to stop them overheating.
Excellent job Duade. I have the LensCoat on my 200=800 and I love it.
Roland Pro ftw! Best cover I have ever purchased.
I am a frequent watcher of your videos. A week ago I started looking at lense covers for my 200-800 and I wasn't sure if it would be any good 😄. I ended up not buying. I will reconsider. Thank you for this video. Love all your work. Feels great watching.
Also consider the rolanpro lenscovers, I personally use them
Thanks Alain, I think you can get them cheaper on Aliexpress if you look into it again. Cheers, Duade
Ive sewn a sleeve for my xf 150-600. A couple bucks for some fabric and some easy sewing. I chose to wax the fabric after to make it water resistant and it works wonderfully!
Thanks Ivan, great to hear, I would love to see a photo of it if you have time. duade.paton@gmail.com Cheers, Duade
Wow, what a challenge. Thanks for sharing the effort it takes. Wouldn't believe that is such a puzzle to go through. 😊
Thanks Jana, it sure was, my pleasure, glad to help others understand how tricky it can be. Cheers, Duade
Great video, Duade!
I had mine wrapped in October and it seems to hold on very well. It's the same brand as yours is, but a slightly different pattern. I too left out the covers for the zoom and function rings.
All the best, Alex
Added Rolanpro to my 100-500mm yesterday. Was fairly easy and looks great so can recommend so far.
Hi Duade, I have to take my hat off to you, I haven't the patience to put all those fiddly bits on. However previously I did purchase a thin neoprene cover with windows for the switches and controls for a Sigma 150-600mm, it was awful and after a few uses it was in the bin, I guess in this case you get what you pay for at the moment I haven't covered any of my lenses I am ultra careful with them but I do appreciate why you cover them I just haven't found what I think is good value for money yet.
Thanks mate, yes, it is a lot of work and you are right some of them can get in the way for sure. I must admit I am not as careful as I should be so some protection is needed for my style. Cheers, Duade
There's no way I'd have the patience or the dexterity to apply that! Well done for managing it. I use neoprene covers from a UK-based company which work well and offer plenty of scratch protection on my RF600mm f4 and RF100-500mm. If I'm honest, I don't like using any kind of cover though because they all interfere with the buttons and the rings and slow me down. That said -while I don't treat my lenses roughly, I certainly don't baby them so I keep the covers on to protect future resale value. Nothing puts a buyer off like battered paint on one of the white lenses - it just looks bad, no matter how well the lens works.
I just fitted one of these on a OM 150-600mm and it took just over 2hrs. But not sure how protective this is compared to the usual covers (which I took off to fit this). Monetary wise it is a lot cheaper, under £17, but had to wait a few weeks for delivery. Yep 3M as well but arrived rolled up in a recanglular box via Aliexpress, but let us know how well it does on your devices. Should say mines arrived on 3 separate sheets, I did put the bits over the rubber focus and extending grips. Thanks for bringing the option to your viewers attention.
i have this on all of my lenses and bodies. beyond the obvious protection benefits, the application process is....highly therapeutic.
I like that the kit is pre-cut. Well done. I used "Mossy Oak graphics" film on my 200-800. It comes in a roll in many colors in 6" wide by 7' long. Amazon carries it on average $25 US. The only issue is you need to measure and cut each piece. It took me about 4 hrs. I also covered the barrel so when zoomed it doesn't show white. It is thin enough it did not cause any issues with zooming in and out and works smooth as it did without. I also left the rubber zoom ring uncovered as I like the better grip on the rubber.
Thanks for sharing, that would add another level of complexity for sure. Cheers, Duade
It's actually quite easy to put them on. I ordered the same from China, too, and the fitting was absolutely spot on! I removed the tape after a while because I don't like how it feels and the concluded that the dark tape wasn't really helping in direct sunlight with the heat building up.
Thanks for the feedback, probably me shaking a lot does not help. Interesting re the heat, I will have to keep an eye on that. I am not out often in direct in the middle of the day so have not had an issue with heat yet, but will keep an eye on it. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for this vid, Duade! There’s no way I have the patience for this style of coating…lol. I’m gonna go with the LensCoat for my 200-800.
Pro tip for older lenses with the rubber grip turning grey, scrub the rubber with a dry toothbrush, that will remove most of the grey. Optional, touch it up with armor all protectant or similar. Can make the grip feel sticky. Spray the cloth, not the lens.
I use a hybrid approach - I add this type of cover to the larger parts of the lens, but also add a traditional neoprene cover over it, as it gives more protection from bumping and is more comfortable to hold, especially in the cold
Thanks for sharing, a good option for sure. Cheers, Duade
I fitted a Rolanpro waterproof cover to my 200-800. Very easy to fit and works a treat.
Great to hear, I need to try it for myself. Cheers, Duade
That was a lot of work! Faf indeed! I love those sulfur cockatoos. That is a terrific shot.
Thanks Brain, it sure was, Cheers, Duade
Lens coats are easy to put on and remove, which is what I always did before service at the Canon facility in Jamesburg NJ. When lenses need to be serviced, covered screws under 3M tape will hinder repair. Don’t expect repair facility to carefully remove or replace camo tape, they’ll probably just return the lens unrepaired.
Great point, I had not thought of that Cheers, Duade
That's a brutal install
I just purchased a new lens coat from a company located down there in your neck of the woods called “Yurecam”. It’s by far the best lens cover I’ve ever purchased. It’s easy to put on and gives access to all buttons and indicators with pre cutouts. It was half the cost of the lenscoats on other websites and the shipping here to the states was only $7!
I purchased for my Nikon 180-600 and couldn’t be more pleased!
P.S. forgot to mention this is neoprene. No use for decorative tape, neoprene insulates and camouflages lens.
Thanks for the feedback, seems they only have a few lenses. Cheers, Duade
For me the best cover ever!
First! Love your videos man 👍
Thanks, glad to hear it. Cheers, Duade
I was thinking about getting a lense cover for my 200-800mm but after watching this I'm not gonna bother, wayyyyyyyyy to fiddly!!!! Ty for the vid!
You have the patience of Job! I would have to search the web to purchase a bucket of patience before attempting this task. Watching your painstaking work, I think I would quickly arrive at a "just shoot me" moment. I guess I'll stick with white for now. After all, we all know how important it is to effectively reduce excessive heat. 😉
Thanks Ray, yes, it is a test of patience for sure, not an undertaking I would like to do all that often. I can see why people prefer the lens coat option or just leaving the lens as is. Cheers, Duade
These 3M sticker sets are great. I put one on my Z8 and 180-600mm lense. Not only does it look better but it also is protected from scratches.
A lens cover is a must have. I have the 'camshield' from Tragopan and I love them for my big lenses. Two big wrap arounds with velcro for the hood and main body. Two rubber parts for the rear. Found this after being disappointed with lens coat and the many fiddly bits.
Edit: I don't know why UA-cam added a link in my comment but it's not right. Thank you for this video and patience applying this for all of us to see!
My pleasure, that was what I was hoping, to show just how much of a pain it is for anyone considering it. Cheers, Duade
I bought the shadow black for my telephotos. The more you do it the better you get at applying it.
I know some have mentioned concerns about adding to the extension tube but I added camo 3m to my 100-500 and i like it more. No extra dust or issues whatsoever with IQ. The lens is a tad more difficult to extend but that actually hold the lens in place while walking.
Anyways that’s just my experience. I know people will hate me for it but I don’t care I like it.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Cheers, Duade
I bought one you recommended for the RF 100-500. I opened it and looked at everything but didn’t have time to do it then. I put it on top of my printer to do later. A couple of days later I had some time and went to do it. It wasn’t there any longer. I believe that my wife thought it was trash of some kind and threw it away. She doesn’t remember it. I ended up selling the lens before I could get another. It looked nice but I was in no hurry to do it.
Thanks mate, yes, you need to be in the right frame of mind to do it that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
I’ll be honest I was dreading doing my Sony 400 f2.8, I absolutely loved doing it found it therapeutic 😂. I’ve done a few other lenses since
Great to hear, maybe you could do the rest of my lenses lol. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for another great video Duade, I’m due to get my R200-800 early next week and have been looking at this type of option. On my EF500 mkii I made my own neoprene covers but with lens it looks like it could be more of a job.
Hi Duade, Thanks for the videos. I have my 100-500 covered in “mossy oak graphics” also by 3M. It is similar to your material but doe not come pre-cut, just a roll which you have to cut yourself. I actually have my zoom extension coated as well. The material is thin enough not to interfere with the lens function. I bought mine from Amazon for some 25 usd I believe.
I have a neoprene lens cover because it's better protection for bumping/scratching. But my zoom extension is also covered in mossy oak by 3m. As you said, it doesn't interfere with the zoomfunction. I don't feel a difference in friction/tightness and it makes the white less obvious.
Thanks, seems many people have used this option. Cheers, Duade
One correction at 0:52 -
Lenscoat makes a neoprene lens cover. It provides padding, scratch protection, etc. But it’s not a “foam”, it is neoprene. There is a big difference in a “foam” type cover versus a neoprene cover.
Personally, I prefer (and used) a neoprene type cover on my Canon 200-600mm lens for the following reasons:
• Waterproof
• Provides a Thermal Barrier
• Provides Padding
• Prevents scratches
• Helps Maintain Resale Value of Lens
• Easy to Install and Remove
Thanks, yes I realised my error, and is why I put the text on the video but thanks for the feedback. Lots of good points there. Many people saying neoprene can retain moisure and cause issues later? Cheers, Duade
Keep in mind, you dont have to apply all of them. One can easily decide to skip on the lens hood, buttons/rings or small pieces. I've got something similar for my R6II and honestly, if 95% is covered and the last 5% are more convenient to leave uncovered, i'd say that's fine too.
I used the Mossy Oak camo”shadow grass blades” pattern to cover my RF 100-500 and RF 70-200 F2.8. I chose this pattern as it closely matches the tall grasses of the marshes here in north Florida. Also, you can (and I did) cover the zoom tube with this Mossy Oak film as it is super thin and smooth. That said, I would have tried the film you used Duade if I had known about it 4 years ago. Thanks for this video I’m sure it will help many photographers!
That sounds like a great setup you have, thank you for sharing!
I love the Lifeguard lens skins -- they do an excellent job protecting expensive gear from the inevitable bumps and scratches. They're much "cleaner" looking and don't fray over time like the lenscoats can. I have the tiger strip pattern on all my Nikon long lenses. Looks cool and peels off without residue years later. They're not cheap but are worth the price of protection IMO.
Thanks for sharing, great to hear you found yours useful. Cheers, Duade
Heavens to Betsy Duade, 3 or 4 hours to fit!? I fitted my Rolanpro in 20 minutes. Edges are stitched and after six months no edge peeling/splitting problems Cover on extension section easily comes on/off in the field eg on tripod and lens fully extended although I dont bother. I feel more comfortable crawling about in the bush with it 😎
Great to hear, I am going to order a RolanPro and try it out, Cheers, Duade
I didn't know these existed, thanks for the info. I have always used 3M vinyl wrap from Mossy Oak Graphics. I don't get anywhere near as fiddly with the little pieces, I just want to break up the lens outline. I don't have any high end glass with tight tolerances, so the extended lens barrel when zoomed can be covered with the vinyl without any problems....
Great to hear Mike, Cheers, Duade
My covers are neoprene from Outdoor Photography Gear Ltd in England. 41 pounds for 100-500mm and 55 pounds for 200-800mm. The mesh for the zoom was 6.49 and 8 pounds respectively. I do find that the mesh can gather when pulling back if it slips. I purchased to protect the lenses from scratches and bumps.
Thanks for sharing Andrew, I might have to check them out, Cheers, Duade
Great video! By the way, neoprene is providing extra protection from very low temperatures, due to its thermal properties.
If your really seriousy in to getting close, sure but i rather have the neoprene or fabric one, much easier to apply and gives secondary benefit of making the lens nicer to use in cold weather.
Thanks for the feedback, good tips re the cold. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for the vid 👍
Which one would you say you prefer : the lens cover that sticks to the lens, or the more loose lens coat? What are the pros and cons of each?
SUPER helpful. Way too finicky for me, plus I like the cushion of the Lens Coat on my Sony 200-800, which provides extra protection. The Lens Coat material also appears more non-reflective to me owning to the mat coloring and the micro-irregular surface due to the fabric weave. The 3M Anti-Scratch Lens Skin looks like it has a surface sheen that could be quite reflective if the sun-lens-observer angle lineup just right. Not sure if that last point is true, but it seemed so under the lights of filming. That said, the 3M Lens Skin is less bulky, which could be important in certain use cases. Overall, I am personally not tempted by this product, but I am sure it might fit the needs of some users. All the best.
I've recently put neoprene covers on my 600mm F4L and 200-800 Canon lenses and really like the finish and protection they provide. I went for the "Chasing Birds" brand from AliExpress. The covers were perfect fit and easy to put on. Highly recommended. I have no association with the product
Thanks, I need to give them a try, Cheers, Duade
I've found when I put mine on my RF 100-500, the stickers themselves stretch a small distance giving quite a bit of overlap sometimes. Otherwise it's pretty good, I feel less visible than using a bright white lens and it's protected the lens really well. You get used to the unavoidable small imperfections when you place the stickers. Some fluff sticks to them occasionally but it does a nice job. Only downside is it definitely heats up the lens in the sun, but I haven't noticed any negatives from that.
Thanks for sharing your experience, many people have commented on the potential heat issue so perhaps a white sticker would be better in really hot climates or if you are out for long periods. I don't spend much time out in direct sunlight in the middle of the day so has not been an issue for me. Cheers, Duade
I did something very similar with my 400f5.6 lens, I bought a roll of camo vinyl from Temu, it’s still holding up ok, although cutting it to the right size was a bit fiddly.
Thanks, I could imagine, yes no 3m patterns for the 400 5.6. Cheers, Duade
I'm all for these 3M lens covers, all my lenses have it, even my camera now. Yes, the install is a bit harder, but it's ok. I order mine from ali express as these are exactly the same as others and cheaper.
I’ve done a few of these and there’s been 2 consistent issues. One, the material is easily stretched which can lead to some of the overlaps, and two, on zoom lenses the holes for the focal length numbers seem to rarely line up. I also find that you can get the same stuff from Ali Express for about a third of the cost. It’s all the same 3M material no matter where you buy it from.
Thanks Dan, great feedback and I totally agree. I got my first one from Aliexpress but found some people in the US struggle to buy from Ali Express so decided to share an ebay link which works everywhere. Cheers, Duade
Hi from a very warm Brissy! What a PITA to put on! I purchased the lenscoat for my Nikon 500PF, but it didn't take long for the parts to fray at the ends, and end up pretty useless. I was able to get the section that has the plastic see-through part replaced as that went first, but I'm unimpressed with it considering the cost. Eventually all the parts frayed and I ended up removing the parts that were left. A friend gave me some camo neoprene material which my wife cut to size for each part of the lens, but they have become loose after some time. Another friend purchased one from the US (can't recall the brand) it sticks on similar to the one you show here, but looks great. Rolanpro has had good reviews, but I haven't purchased anything since...got plenty of the camo neoprene material left.
Thanks for sharing, I plan on getting the Rolanpro and another brand and trying them out in the future. Cheers, Duade
Hi duade How scary I've just been looking at big lenses and then looked up those covers and now your showing a video about that lol wow
Funny how things like that happen. Cheers, Duade
G'day Duade. I strongly admire your patience. It's a very enlightening video!! I guess both covers each have their pros and cons. I prefer the ticker (&easier) lenscoat, because it offers protection in more cases of unfriendly encounters between the lens and other objects. But its neoprene is able to absorb rain/humidity .. and it was partly to blame for my 100-500 fogging up internal for nearly 48 hours after the sequence: sudden evening rain, a night in airco, next day 30 degrees and nearly 100% humidity 🙈
I notice your 100-500 now has an alternative arca swiss lensfoot. Which make is it ?? and is it comfortable enough to walk some distance while carrying the gear by the lens foot ?? After some attempt to repair by Canon, my lensfoot is again loosening, which is annoying mostly when wanting to rotate the lens by the foot when swapping lenses.
I dislike the idea of sticking something onto my gear, I'd always worry it'll never come off clean again once the time comes. Definitely sticking (hehe, see what I did there?) to neoprene covers. They provide a little bump protection (a sticker can't do that) and they don't get cold in low temperatures. Very happy with my LensCoat stuff.
Thanks for sharing, yes lenscoat works well. The stickers do come off without any residue so that is good. Cheers, Duade
Followed Wild Alaska lead a few weeks ago and bought the LensCoat for my Canon 100-500. Takes a little getting used to buts good now.
Interesting product, but like others I prefer neoprene covers which can readily be removed and are also much easier to apply. The neoprene also gives some padding / protection although it is quite minimal.
I've been using Mossy Oak Graphics skin on my lenses. I bought one of these for my 100-500mm but seeing that many pieces freaked me out and had to return it. I like the looks on your cameras though.
I have used the Lens coat, which have become so expensive, but now using the Camo Premium neoprene covers from Outdoor Photography Gear (I have no links to this UK company). The 200-800 was AU$129.73, thus quite a lot more than what Duade paid, however much easier to install than, the Chinese company product and neoprene provides a lot of protection. Not sure that I would want to use stickers to be honest. The Camo premium cover was fitted in about 1 minute.
Thanks for sharing, I will check them out, Cheers, Duade
I have the same lens cover and I love it, but I got mine from a website that specializes in lens covers. I didn't have any issues with pieces being too long or covering anything up.
Thanks for sharing Matt, do you happen to have the link to the site that you were using, others may want to check it out. Cheers, Duade
I am using Chasing Bird's neoprene covers; they are well-priced and cheaper than the usual suspects, i.e., Lenscoat or Rolandpro. They were my only option when Nikon released the 180-600 and have been good.
Thanks for sharing, I will check it out, Cheers, Duade
I have applied the 3M film to my RF 70-200 2.8. Makes it much less conspicuous when taking photos in public.
I personally use these skins for my cameras and use the rolanpro lenscovers that are quite a bit cheaper than lenscoat.
Duade, you have spared me from attempting that particular mission--- though the price is nice. What would you reckon the value of camouflage to be?
In the video, do you think your camo efforts were stymied by your friend right next to you not wearing camo?
(Incidentally, my father worked for 3M, in Minnesota, which is the first of the three M's-- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing-- I don't know if that is generally known, these days.)
Thanks Chris, it is a mission for sure. I doubt the camo does that much to be honest. Birds at least seem more senstive to noise and movement. Yes, perhaps my mate being there played a part but we still had birds coming in. Oh interesting re 3M. Cheers, Duade
I got this for a EF 35mm 1.4 I picked up used. It was already scratched up so I used this to make it look new again. Just got flat black color.
I've added 3M covers to all my most used lenses, but I've cut them all myself to save money. Anyone with a home die cut machine can do it. I just purchased the digital templates for my lenses online and I order the 3M wrap by the roll. There aren't templates available for all lenses, so I've had to hand cut the wrap for those, including my Sigma 500mm f/4. The pieces are mostly rectangles so its really not too hard to do manually. I think I paid about $50 US for the roll of 3M wrap, but it would have cost around $400 to get pre-cut covers. Another benefit of cutting them yourself the ability to customize them. For instance, I chose to cover the logos and focus distance window on my lenses whereas the pre-cut kits have openings for these.
Sounds amazing! Where can you find the templates and what kind of wrap did you order? All I can find at the moment is some really weird colors sold by car guys😞
@@DKtracks I can't remember where I purchased the cut files from. I just did a Google search and found them for just a few dollars each. I've been using 3M 2080 wrap, specifically the Shadow Black design. I purchased that from Rvinyl.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like a great option if you have the tools and ability. Cheers, Duade
I applied a camo one for my Canon 90D, now I'm not using it anymore sinc ei have the R6 MKII but it looks really sick, unfortunately wasn't perfect, but I am really happy with how it came out
I still prefer the Rolanpro, Lenscoat style neoprene as it adds to the weather resistance as well, can't see what is on effect a bit of tape adding much other than scratch protection.
..and it's an invisibility cloak don't forget. Just be careful where you put a lens down with that stuff on it, you may never find it again
Thanks, I will have to try them out, Cheers, Duade
I think I prefer the neoprene camp protectors. You just need a bit of double sided tape to prevent them slipping.
I got a black version of this "sticker camo" for my Sony 200-600 for added bump/scratch protection. I had to modify and remove some bits because they just didn't fit very well and got in the way of the alignment/rotation ring. Took around 30 minutes to apply.
Need to have - absolutely not. Nice to have - yes, I'd say so.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like you are a lot quicker than me :-) Glad to hear it is working well. Cheers, Duade
Thanks a lot for this video. Does the cover leave any sign of residue? I did not buy one because I was afraid it would.
I got the lenscoat for 200-800. love it. 3m wouldn't be my thing. Sticking it looks too much trouble. And the 3mm neoprene seem to offer more protection imo.
Thanks for sharing, great to hear, yes the lenscoat does offer more protection against bumps etc. Cheers, Duade
Living in Florida I have opted to keep my long Sony lens white. Not too keen about increasing the heat on my lens. Perhaps if I moved north.
Back in the day, manufacturers used to say lenses were white to better regulate internal temperatures and protect the 'special' lens coatings used. Then, consumers come along and fit coats to their lenses, but I don't recall any lens failures as a result. Perhaps it was just a marketing ploy - think photos of sports photographers and all the white Canon lenses on show.
First ask why you need a camo cover.
To protect the lens, fine.
Lenses are white to reflect light to keep the lens cooler, less distortion of the optical elements inside.
Creatures are mostly sensitive to movement. Camo works with humans but not so much with creatures whose eyes function differently. A deer cannot see a bright orange tiger when we can. Birds have superior colour vision but it is attuned to movement.
Us humans are very good at stalking, it is practically instinctive. Creatures often like so see where we are, to confirm that we are not actively hunting them, the "little black rain cloud". Sudden movement will have them scatter.
Thanks Jeff, agree birds are mostly sensitve to noise and movement. Good tip re heat, perhaps a white sticker would be better for those out in direct sunlight. I don't shoot often in direct hot sunlight so has not been an issue for me personally. Cheers, Duade
I have seen couple of other brands selling similar lens skins and compared to Neoprene lenscoats these are much more convenient for zoom lenses and for using buttons on the lens(I use those quite a lot on my macro lenses).
Hi, I bought the same one for my 200-800 Canon, easy to put on, € 27.95 on AliExpress
Great to hear, Cheers, Duade
Nice, but I will not be getting out this week. It’s -7 F and feels like -13 F here in Michigan, US.
I'll swap with you, it's about 37 C and 2 million percent humidity in my neck of the woods 😂
Thanks mate, that is cold, we have 41C on Monday, that is hot. Cheers, Duade
Seems that if you are ready to put in some time and concentration you can get a pretty neat outcome with the stickers. But it looks way too painstaking job for me 😬Also stickers look quite glossy, I would like matte more.
Thanks, I think there are some matte options as well. Cheers, Duade
Great video mate. You have a lot of patience too i see hehe. I have a lot of that in the field, but for things like this, i don't heheh.
By the way, i have send you a e-mail.
All the best to you and yours.
Cheers, Bjoern
Thanks mate, yes, not something I want to do again in a hurry. I think the neoprene covers are just much easier to use. Cheers, Duade
This sticker is the same of mine. It took about 4 hours to complete the task.
Great video! I liked it although I wouldn’t do that. Too much work and I don’t care about the scratches.
My thoughts only .... and please do not think I'm saying you should not use lens covers. The whole reason these lenses are white is to stop heat building up inside the lens, it deflects the light thus keeps the inside of the lens cool. Having hot air inside the lens can cause soft images as well as the lens hood, for that reason I don't use them, despite living in cold wet England :D
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback, do you have any technical reports or trials done on this? I only ask as my lenses have never got hot that I am aware of, admittedly I don't shoot in the middle of the day. My other question is what do Nikon do with black lenses? Cheers, Duade
Thanks for that heads up. I'd get it finished in 15 min. Air bubbles and wrinkles Then rip it off, into the trash. I'll go the other one.
Thanks Scott, yes, neoprene is much quicker. Cheers, Duade
I bought some Mossy oak graphics vinyl and cut it out myself and fitted it which requires some work!! 🫤
I prefer this finish on zooms as a lot of the neoprene ones tend to slip around over time. All the best
I also use the Mossy Oak Graphics vinyl on my 500 f4 and 100-500. I think it's probably a lot cheaper than $40 for both lenses. The finished job is not as neat looking, but it works just fine for me. Really wish Canon didn't make there telephotos white!
Never heard of lens coat but yeah I use custom fitted Neoprene covers for my white lenses, using stickers just feels like a bad idea.
How often do you actually carry / use a Camera bag ??? What is the weight of the vmbag with the gear included that you carry on your back everytime ????
G'day Colin, I don't walk that far with my camera bag to be honest so never been a massive issue for me. Most of the time I leave it in the truck or just take it short distances. Cheers, Duade
If you use Nikon your lenses are generally black and you don't need to cover them like white Canon L lenses to make them less visible to onlookers or wildlife. Isn't the white colour supposed to reflect the sun and stop the lens absorbing too much heat ?? I ca't see the 3M kit providing much protection if you scrape the lens on a wall or a tree. Good video from Duade as usual.
Thanks for the comment, many people mention the white reflected the heat. If I am honest I am rarely out in hot midday sun so not a big issue for me but I would be interested to hear how much of a difference there is between Nikon and Canon in terms of heat. Cheers, Duade
I double dog dare you to do the barrel like @whistlingwingsphotography does. I want to try but waiting on you and Jan
Thanks Dennis, I will have to check it out, Cheers, Duade
One thing that concerns me about the dark stickers is Canon makes the lenses a light color for a reason. The lens heating up from sunlight impacts the performance of the lens. So, while I'm okay with adding a light color cover I don't think the dark colors you are using are a good idea.
While I hadn't payed too much attention to your stickered lens before, that one looks awful glossy and the light areas seem even worse.
I used lighter colored digital camo tape on my my EF 100-400 II.
I hadn't added anything to my RF 100-500 or RF 200-800. I did just order some Mossy Oak Winter Brush adhesive we rap and will use that if it is as described. Which is that it has a non reflective mat finish. Its light color shouldn't be an issue with heating up the lens. And hopefully the brush pattern will help break up the shape of the lens.
Thanks for the feedback, I honestly had not given any attention to the lens heating up. Probably because I am rarely out in direct sunlight in the middle of the day. I shoot an hour or two after sunrise and before sunset so have not had an issue with the lens getting hot. But good point if you are out shooting all day in the direct sun. Any idea what Nikon do with their black lenses? Cheers, Duade
I buyed this cover for camera - my R7. But for 200-800 I buyed Rolanpro Neoprene Lens cover.
Thanks for sharing, I will have to check it out, Cheers, Duade