Other Rear cap modification

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David Stallard

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David Stallard
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  1. Yes
Tim - please remove if not permitted.
So - we all know how frustrating it is that the RF rear lens cap will only fit on if you align the line on the cap with the red dot on the lens, after seeing this mod done on line I thought why not try it as the amount of times in the field I have missed a shot due to faffing with the cap on an extender or lens I can confirm THIS WORKS.

Look inside the cap and you will see three raised sections / tabs - take a sharp knife (I used box cutter) and carefully remove ONLY the largest one - see photo below. Now the cap will fit on in almost any position, I have tried differing scenarios to see if I can make it come off and it stays put.

Standard
Un-Trimmed cap.jpg



Trimmed version
Trimmed cap.jpg


I appreciate not everyone will want or need to do this but if you need to swap out glass or extenders in a hurry or in the dark it's a game changer.
 
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For the price of a new cap 'if' I was ever sell - worth it.
Have only done it on my extender caps as they are the ones that need changing in a hurry
 
I do find it a bit frustrating that Canon engineers opted for this one position for putting on the rear cap and surprised some Chinese company hasn't made a replacement cap that doesn't have to be put on in one position. When I am chasing the light to get a shot and change lenses, to be honest, I often don't bother with the rear cap as I set the lens into the cushioned compartment in my bag. After the shoot I clean up and organize the gear in the bag.

And I agree with the lack of red mark on the rear cap and even the dull red on the rear of the RF lenses. I applied some bright red nail polish to the mark on the rear cap. As I approach 70, I find my eyes struggle with dark objects in low light.
 
The other day I was looking for something else and found this. Then today I came across this thread.

 
Interesting that there's nothing showing the inside of the aftermarket cap. What bothers me most about this mod is something Jan showed, where in one of the 3 orientations the cap can be pried up a bit. I've had more than a few incidents where some completely insane arrangement of gear and gravity causes something to get pulled out of my hands and to the ground, and all I see with that is another available insane arrangement.

There has to be some combination of 3 trimmed ridges that would allow 3 orientations but I'm just not motivated enough to try it. Silver sharpie has been enough for me to see it, and yes it's a pain on the extenders, but not worth the hassle for me.
 
Jake - I tried to pull the cap off in all orientations and trust me - it you can get it to 'knock off' accidently then your going to damage a lot more than a lens cap ;-)
As I said, it wont be for everyone but for me it really has made a difference, especially trackside where I need to swap out in a hurry.
 
If I was still shooting events I’d likely do it. My wife donated an old bottle of red finger nail beautifying paint. Takes a second longer but I’ve gotten used to it.
 
I once had an 400 DO F4 II. Nice lens and I wish I could have kept it. Spectacular lens. Since ML bodies could AF at f8 I had to sell it to maintain my salary cap. :) The lens hood was huge and a real pain to transport, for me anyway. For local transportation I purchased a plastic tool box.

_I9A2863.JPG


After selling the lens I got a smaller one for my 100-500 and TC. The TC is there. Strap is hiding it.

gg.jpg


Someone on another site suggested this gun bag. What I like about it is that it is top load and zips up easily at the top. If I forget to zip it up the gear won't fall out.That happened to me about 15 years ago with a backpack style bag. My EF 70-200 f4 IS was only 2 weeks old.

I take this to Portugal every year. I pack it inside the big suitcase and fill with cloths, etc. So much easier to just pull the gear out and start shooting. I cut out some of the inside compartments the are specialized for ammo, etc. I use that removable bag to store miscellaneous camera gear like filters, etc. It stays at home.


This past 6 months I decided to stop using the TC when the 100-500 is on the R7. Since I shoot wildlife with that body 80% of the time I'm getting a shorter bag - for non local travel. If I have the TC on with R6II I'll just take the lens hood off.

 
One thing I like about those bags. Very well made and ⅓ the cost of a specialized photography bag like Think Tank, etc would offer.
 
Jake - I tried to pull the cap off in all orientations and trust me - it you can get it to 'knock off' accidently then your going to damage a lot more than a lens cap ;-)
And that's kind of my point based on what I saw in Jan's video. If there's a way to get it to pull away in one orientation then something, some way, some day, will find a way to do it, and that's not going to be good for the lens mount. That's not me telling anyone it's dangerous, that's just me saying that it's not enough of a pain for me to make me do it, even if the risk is nearly infinitesimal.
 
If there's a way to get it to pull away in one orientation then something will find a way to do it!
Excellent point, Jake!

What I will do, based on your advice, is to change just one cap and label it clearly, then reserve it for those awkward occasions — on “dark and stormy nights”? — when its ease of use will be appreciated!

… David
 

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