Neoprene Sheets for Lens Covers?

[Andrew Cunningham]

Hi,

Is anyone able to recommend a supplier of thin neoprene sheets in various designs?

I am after some, preferrably in camouflage designs, to create my own cheap protective cover for a Canon lens.

Even plain coloured ones would be okay as I could cover them with some camouflage tape anyway.

Cheers,
Andrew.

[Joe stockwell]

http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/ i think that you can buy the neoprene in sheets from here



Joe

[Colin Key]

Don't be stingy Andrew, if you have bought the lens it deserves a "LensCoat" - everything else is inferior by a long shot. I have seen the efforts of some people to protect their expensive "L" lenses with everything from home-made neoprene sheet + duct tape jobs to legs cut off kiddies camo trousers or arms off old pullovers - totally pathetic!!

Colin :no:

[Andrew Cunningham]

Thanks Joe and Colin. The wildlife watching supplies website looks promising and much cheaper. The lens covers do not appear as snug as a Lenscoat but adequate.

I find £65 for a neoprene lens cover from Lenscoat (Warehouse Express) rather a bit steep but I have not dismissed it yet. After purchasing the camera and lens the bits and pieces that need to be bought afterwards do mount up so any savings I can make are essential I am afraid.

I am still looking around for a convincing alternative and if I can find cheap sheets to try making my own then it is worth a stab.

[Colin Key]

Andrew, there are no "convincing" alternatives. Contact the LensCoat boss (Scott E.) at scott@lenscoat.com Great guy to deal with and the current price for what you want is £55 - he might send it post-free from the US (but time is getting a bit "tight" for your forthcoming trip).

Colin

[Andrew Cunningham]

Thanks for that Colin, I shall get in touch with Scott and see what he can do and how soon.

[Adey Baker]

You could certainly make your own bespoke covers for any equipment from neoprene such as that used in making diving-suits but as it's 'stretchy' you'd need to cut it tight and to avoid 'straining' the joins it would need to be glued and stitched. You'd need the correct glue and stitching machines which don't puncture all the way through the material otherwise you'd loose the valuable waterproof qualities of the material unless you also taped the insides of the stitching or used a seam-sealing product.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Thanks Adey.

Just had an idea. If I see a surfing suit or socks going cheap I could cut the arms and legs to fit! :laugh:

[Adey Baker]

Thanks Adey.

Just had an idea. If I see a surfing suit or socks going cheap I could cut the arms and legs to fit! :laugh:


Not a bad idea if you can find one cheap enough. (I repair them for a living and good quality drysuits in particular can be quite expensive secondhand) The arms might be better than the legs (especially as they can get a bit...erm.. smelly near to the feet).

To answer the obvious supplementary question - yes, we do have a wide range of materials in stock and I have considered making them but I don't think we could do it commercially, though I might knock one up out of s.... material for myself sometime. It would be a good excuse to 'borrow' some exotic lenses to make the covers to fit, though :smile: