I Was So Upset, I Got Sick. (About My 200-500)

[Friggs]

Last week I took my Nikon 200-500 lens out of its case. (Ape case. It stands up on its lens cap. But mostly I lay it down.) When I did I noticed the lens cap had come off in the case. I am always careful how I put it on and in the case so this does not happen. But it did. And unfortunately it put a mark on the front glass. It is small and will in any way affect the images. But it still had me so upset I felt sick to my stomach. I strive to keep my stuff in perfect condition. I have had lenses for many years and never put a mark on any of them. So I decided to buy a screw on lens cap so this will not happen again. I found one on eBay and just got it. It will never come off in the case. Yes it takes a few seconds longer to remove it or install it. But to me it is worth the peace of mind knowing it will not come off on its own. I know some use filters to prevent this. And I thought about that route. But I don't like the idea of filters and it would be a much more expensive fix then the screw on lens cap. Just thought I would share this so others will know this could happen. It could have been worse and thank goodness it wasn't. But of all my lenses, why did it have to happen to my new expensive one. But like I said it does not affect anything. But me knowing it is there is enough to make me upset. But there is nothing I can do now. But live with it.

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

What kind of "mark" ? The lens cap, I assume, was plastic... It can do one of two things. Either scuff the lens coating off, or rub plastic ONTO the lens. If the latter, a gentle rubbing with a quality lens cleaning solution on a micro-fiber cloth will likely remove it without damaging the lens..

 

[jtgraphics]

I always just put a good quality filter on if you use a good one you'll never know it was on and if you fill you need to remove it for that special shot for a min. but really I do not think you could tell if I showed you one with and with out.
Hope you get it cleaned off but it will most likely not show in your photos depending on how bad it actual is.

 

[Friggs]

It is a small round mark. Almost looked like dust but it isn't. Not a scratch. Almost like if you took a nail and hit the lens with the point of the nail. I did use a micro fiber clothe. But have not used any solution on it. I am thinking one of the pointy edges of the cap somehow hit the glass when it was set down. I will try some solution but don't expect it to do anything.

 

[Friggs]

I cleaned it with some fluid and the mark disappeared. Few. Dodged that one. Should have done that right away. Now I don't feel bad.

 

[Pretzel]

I cleaned it with some fluid and the mark disappeared. Few. Dodged that one. Should have done that right away. Now I don't feel bad.

Good for you! In a case with just a lens cap, I thought that would be all it was too... the lenses and coatings are a bit tougher than people expect. Glad it wiped off!

 

[Horoscope Fish]

I cleaned it with some fluid and the mark disappeared. Few. Dodged that one. Should have done that right away. Now I don't feel bad.

Not to ignite the old filter debate but... Something you might want to consider: The Hoya HD Protector.

I like them, I use them. I'd much rather clean a filter than the front-element of just about any lens I own and my shooting environments mean I'm cleaning pretty routinely.

Just a thought.

 

[Whiskeyman]

I cleaned it with some fluid and the mark disappeared. Few. Dodged that one. Should have done that right away. Now I don't feel bad.

Fantastic news!! I bumped the front element of my 300 mm on something, and was also ill until I was able to determine that the big mark on it was just a piece of paint that came off of the post onto the lens.

WM

 

[Blacktop]

I never cared for these lens cap designs. Much can go wrong while putting them on, and if you don't get it on just the right way, they can fall off in the bag or where ever. I actually put a small scratch on the front element on my 18-140 when I had it, by putting on the lens cap. It buffed out, but still.....
Also not a fan of adding a cheap piece of glass (filter) in front of my lens . I think a screw on lens cap is the best idea!

 

[crashton]

Bill I'm glad it cleaned off for you. It's not even my lens & felt pretty bad about it. I'm a proponent of using filters as protection.

 

[Osantacruz]

Not to ignite the old filter debate but... Something you might want to consider: The Hoya HD Protector.

I like them, I use them. I'd much rather clean a filter than the front-element of just about any lens I own and my shooting environments mean I'm cleaning pretty routinely.

Just a thought.

This is exactly the type of protection people mean when they use a filter for protection. Of course the DxO mark followers will come out and say it won't protect against drops and bangs (which no one is saying it will protect from) and claim they can notice the sharpness difference etc. It would suck to get a scratch that was caused by a cap coming off so now that you were able to wipe it away, consider a filter. I like B&W and recently the Amazon basics filters are nicer than I expected.

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