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Photo Tip | Sick of losing your lens cap?

It wasn’t long after I got my first SLR that I realized it wouldn’t be long before I misplaced my lens cap.  Sure I missed the security of the thin little cord that kept the cap of my P+S safe, but I didn’t miss its looks.  And I definitely didn’t miss the poor quality images.

So one day after searching for my cap for about an hour, I had what was probably the most practical idea I’ve had in a long time.  Velcro!  I mean “Hook and Loop Fasteners”

Sidebar:  Did you know that Velcro is actually a brand name and not a specific product?  Much like Xerox, Kleenex, and Q-Tips, Velcro is knows as a generecized trademark – “A trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for or synonymous with a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation (“secondary meaning”) as intended by the trademark’s holder (Wikipedia).”

I bought a package of Velcro at my local home improvement store, and went to it.  The process couldn’t be any simpler.

  1. Take the loop side (fuzzy side) of the Velcro and cut shapes to fit your particular lens cap.
  2. Attach the hook side and to anywhere you might want to stick your lens cap.  (I put some on my camera bag’s shoulder straps, as well as my camera strap)

It works great, especially if your pulling off your cap quickly to get a shot.  And using the loop side on the lens cap makes for a nice cushion if you ever stand your lens on end.