DP1 Lens Coating ?

Question:

Do you think that sliding the DP1 in/out of a neoprene or nylon lined case repeatedly will wear off any coating or otherwise adversely affect the lens? Obviously, you don't want it to hit a zipper or anything hard. But, I'm just talking fabric or neoprene touching the lens surface.

I'm looking for the thinnest case I can find, and not having the lens cap on helps. Also, it's more convenient for 'snap' shooting to not have the cap on.

Thanks in advance for the insights!

Mark T.
Ocala, FL

I absolutely would keep the lens cap on in a case, pocket, whatever, to protect the lens from harm... the lens hood (without the cap on) can protect the lens from damage when you're walking around with the camera..

Also I noticed in a heavy crowd situation I was concerned last weekend about people bonking into the camera... I didn't have the hood on since we were indoors... but it would have helped protect the lens. I kept putting the cap back on instead.

I'm one of those people who keep a UV filter on DSLR lenses for protection.. I bonked the 10-20mmEX DC on rocks at Lake Tahoe when it was brand new. The filter cracked, the lens didn't. It probably would have been a goner without the UV filter. Lesson learned to protect lens glass.
Best regards, Sandy
[email protected]
http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann

Hi Mark,

I tell this to everybody. Always replace the lens cap on the lens after use of the camera. If you are walking around or storing the camera, use the lens cap.

Regards,
Larry

Mark Turney said:

Question:

Do you think that sliding the DP1 in/out of a neoprene or nylon lined
case repeatedly will wear off any coating or otherwise adversely
affect the lens? Obviously, you don't want it to hit a zipper or
anything hard. But, I'm just talking fabric or neoprene touching the
lens surface.

I'm looking for the thinnest case I can find, and not having the lens
cap on helps. Also, it's more convenient for 'snap' shooting to not
have the cap on.

Thanks in advance for the insights!

Mark T.
Ocala, FL

Click to expand...

I say, lose the lens cap and filters. Cameras are meant to be used and enjoyed. The camera is ready faster and it is more convenient to have no lens cap and filters degrade image quality even if only because of increased flair. How many cameras have you had become obsolete while still in new condition. Just use them and stop worrying about them. If they get damaged, get them fixed or buy a new one. Odds are, your camera will work fine throughout its lifecycle without any precautions. Once you've got a few scratches and you don't care so much anymore, then you'lll enjoy your camera more and take more pictures. Cameras and lenses will take far more abuse than you think, but the real issue is useability. Just use the thing!
--
Ed

I'd say it would be OK, just make very sure not to get any small sand or dust in the case.

You may want to line the side the lens would rub on with microfiber cloth just to be sure. You could sew a small square in place.

--
---> Kendall
http://InsideAperture.com
http://www.pbase.com/kgelner
http://www.pbase.com/sigmadslr/user_home

I use my cameras and have no scratches on my glass or dust. Use the darn lens cap, it's to protect the glass when the camera is not in use. But it's your choice.

Edward Taylor said:

I say, lose the lens cap and filters. Cameras are meant to be used
and enjoyed. The camera is ready faster and it is more convenient to
have no lens cap and filters degrade image quality even if only
because of increased flair. How many cameras have you had become
obsolete while still in new condition. Just use them and stop
worrying about them. If they get damaged, get them fixed or buy a new
one. Odds are, your camera will work fine throughout its lifecycle
without any precautions. Once you've got a few scratches and you
don't care so much anymore, then you'lll enjoy your camera more and
take more pictures. Cameras and lenses will take far more abuse than
you think, but the real issue is useability. Just use the thing!
--
Ed

Click to expand...

I appreciate everyone's input....good thoughts on both sides of the fence.

Take care.

Mark T.
Ocala, FL

Ed, have you seen the DP1 lens? It's rather large and convex, it's not like a tiny, tiny little lens from a p&s small-sensor or 'regular' camera. For $800, I'd tend to be more careful for sratches than with an inexpensive p&s. Plus I tend to bash things ...and myself ...around. When I tripped last spring on flagstones, I 'saved' my new SD14 by holding it up rather than protecting my knees as I went down.. or there was the time I almost fell and grabbed onto a cactus in the Botanic Garden. Ouch. Glad my camera lens didn't meet those spines; my thumb did and I (and finally a Dr) were picking out the needles for a month.
Best regards, Sandy
[email protected]
http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann

I have a DP1. I have had no problems or scratches despite never using the lens cap. Surface scratches on lenses rarely have a significant impact on image quality anyway. I have a P&S to always get the picture. A lens cap interferes with speed.
--
Ed

using the lens hood, and screwing in a protective filter.

OK, it takes the camera out of pocketable, but it's still light and compact on a neck strap. And it looks kinda cool, too.

But best of all, no messing with the lens cap, which is a serious pain.

Upon arriving home, and examining my camera, I want to point out one advantage to the lens hood/filter method:

The lens hood envelops all of the moving parts of the lens, which are presumably the weak link in keeping dust out of the camera.

And it looks kinda cool. Oh, I said that before.

8 month follow-up, FWIW:

I've owned my DP1 for almost 9 months now, & every time I get to shoot with it - the resulting images are nothing short of fantastic - when I get it right, I'm not sacrificing anything by not having a DSLR. Some of my best work has been with Foveon sensors, starting with the SD9, then SD14, and now the DP1.

But, the reason I bought a DP1 over just keeping my SD14 (which of course has better performance) is portability and usability. I find that if I don't have a camera with me all the time, I miss great opportunities - and, found images tend to be my best.

So, to improve handling, I just ordered a 'Richard Franiec's Custom DP1 Grip' - which I'm very much looking forward to applying. It looks great and users have said it improves the hold-ability of the DP1.

On the portability front - I'm going to stop using the lens cap, which to be honest is a real PIA. I believe what Ed said above is correct - too many of my cameras look brand new when I'm ready to move to the next model. My decision to lose the cap is based on my not carrying my DP1 all the time, like I told myself I would. I work in a business office and don't want to either carry the camera in open or on my belt in the Lowpro D50 (really looks dorky sticking off my belt 4+ inches). So, instead my DP1 has either stayed home or in the car (in winter when the Florida heat won't kill it).

When I owned my Ricoh GRD I, I always had it with me, because it slid into a Neoprene Pelican case that didn't protrude too far from my belt. It looked like a PDA case, and thus drew no attention @ work or out and about. But, I'm not going back to a noisy, small-sensor, CFA images just for a bit thinner camera. The DP1 will actually fit into my Pelican case (snugly) - but only without the cap. Plus, I want to be able to just pull the camera out and shoot - not use two hands to remove the cap, store it in a pocket, etc.

In summary, I'm going with Kendall's idea to sew in a piece of micro-fiber cloth to the neoprene case. I'm looking forward to having my DP1 on me all the time and not having to mess with the cap. Stay tuned for follow-up!

Take care.

Mark T.
Ocala, FL

Kendall Helmstetter Gelner said:

I'd say it would be OK, just make very sure not to get any small sand
or dust in the case.

You may want to line the side the lens would rub on with microfiber
cloth just to be sure. You could sew a small square in place.

--
---> Kendall
http://InsideAperture.com
http://www.pbase.com/kgelner
http://www.pbase.com/sigmadslr/user_home

Click to expand...

I don't normally use filters, but I do keep the lens cap on my cameras most of the time. If you're careful I think you can probably get away without it. Just use a little common sense. And I think it sorta depends on how "important" the camera is to you. If you can easily afford to replace or repair then I guess you can take more chances. Ultimately it boils down to a case of personal choice.
--
Look at the picture, not the pixels...
http://www.lkeithr.zenfolio.com

Does anyone use HOYA DMC SUPER PROTECTOR PRO1 DIG "filter"?

Edward Taylor said:

I say, lose the lens cap and filters. Cameras are meant to be used
and enjoyed. The camera is ready faster and it is more convenient to
have no lens cap and filters degrade image quality even if only
because of increased flair. How many cameras have you had become
obsolete while still in new condition. Just use them and stop
worrying about them. If they get damaged, get them fixed or buy a new
one. Odds are, your camera will work fine throughout its lifecycle
without any precautions. Once you've got a few scratches and you
don't care so much anymore, then you'lll enjoy your camera more and
take more pictures. Cameras and lenses will take far more abuse than
you think, but the real issue is useability. Just use the thing!
--
Ed

Click to expand...

I've misplaced the darn cap a few times already. What happens is: I see a shot I want, black out, take the shot and some more, come back to earth and find the cap is gone. Search all my pockets, nothing. Search the car, house or wherever I happen to find myself, nothing. Search my pockets again, there it is, in a different one each time. Sigh. Think I'm going to attach it to the neckstrap with duct tape and a piece of string.

Or, just ditch the cap altogether like me and have the camera one step closer to ready all the time .... ; - ) I have already used it more the last 24 hours since making the decision - sort of liberating not worrying, and just enjoying my DP1.

Take care.

Mark T.
Ocala, FL

smbruyn said:

I've misplaced the darn cap a few times already. What happens is: I
see a shot I want, black out, take the shot and some more, come back
to earth and find the cap is gone. Search all my pockets, nothing.
Search the car, house or wherever I happen to find myself, nothing.
Search my pockets again, there it is, in a different one each time.
Sigh. Think I'm going to attach it to the neckstrap with duct tape
and a piece of string.

Click to expand...

That grip is fantastic, and it covers the otherwise reflecting sigma letters on the front, and together with a lensmate it works amazingly well (plus looks cool) - the lensmate cap is so pleasant to use that i wish it fitted without the adaptor too!
--
Handpicked DP1 advice & tips from dpreview Sigma forum:
http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dfn7v4dm_105fdr8sdhq

Getting the VF-11 viewfinder (I like the Voigtlander, but the VF-11 is a bit smaller, but not too small) and a new belt case from B&H on Friday. I ordered the Zing medium black neoprene pouch, as the DP1 with the viewfinder will I know make the Pelican case too snug. The 1 review on B&H about the Zing is by a person using it with his Canon G9 - not much thinner than the DP1 - so I'm hoping it works. If not, it's only $12.95.

If this all pans out, I'll be happy. The goal is:

• Camera in as thin a case as possible on my belt all the time
• External VF on all the time for when it is adventageous
• No lens cap - just pull DP1 out of pouch and shoot

At least, that's the goal. We'll see .... ; - )

Take care.

Mark T.
Ocala, FL

Quick question - how do you stick it to the camera? I'm assuming that it is via a highly adhesive material like that used on license plate decals.

Thanks.

MT

solsang said:

That grip is fantastic, and it covers the otherwise reflecting sigma
letters on the front, and together with a lensmate it works amazingly
well (plus looks cool) - the lensmate cap is so pleasant to use that
i wish it fitted without the adaptor too!
--
Handpicked DP1 advice & tips from dpreview Sigma forum:
http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dfn7v4dm_105fdr8sdhq

Click to expand...

Yes, it has very strong glue (tape) so you start by trying where it fints best (i put mine in the middle) and then clean your camera of any dust or fingerrprint (i used a microfibercloth) then taking the overlay of the grip, and putting it carefully to the camera, press strongly for one minute and let it wait for an hour (i left it overnight just to be sure) now it sits there as if it was born with it, and everyone who have seen it or used it has thought this is the construction of the camera!!

I had even forgotten i use it when reading this thread, it has become simply the way the camera was meant to be - i once had a hp817, which has dents for the fingers in front and back, that was the most brilliant design, so i am spoiled and thus even more happy for this grip!

Mark Turney said:

Thanks.

MT

solsang said:

That grip is fantastic, and it covers the otherwise reflecting sigma
letters on the front, and together with a lensmate it works amazingly
well (plus looks cool) - the lensmate cap is so pleasant to use that
i wish it fitted without the adaptor too!
--
Handpicked DP1 advice & tips from dpreview Sigma forum:
http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dfn7v4dm_105fdr8sdhq

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Handpicked DP1 advice & tips from dpreview Sigma forum:
http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dfn7v4dm_105fdr8sdhq