HPX250: Lens damage

M

MPGordon

Member
I purchased the HPX250 and it arrived to day. As I unpacked it, I noticed that the lens cap had not been securely attached and had come loose in transit. The result was that the plastic lens cap would have been knocking against the lens whenever the box was jostled or turned on its end. I inspected the lens and it appears to be okay except for one small discolored spot. Is this something I should be concerned about? Could a plastic lens cap knocking against the lens have cause any permanent damage?

Thanks!
 
Boy I hate that lens cap! I certainly worry that I'm scraping the lens (well, uv filter) every time I try to put it on. I think I'm going to use a Kata LT-2 instead… but if anyone can find a way to make an HVX/HMC style "plug" for the lens hood, I'll be a definite purchaser!
 
I do not recall which size I have I got them when I got Cavision matboxs, thay also fit the HVX lens shade, they work great - ease on & off and fit in any pocket when not on camera. When on the Camera they stay on fine and protect the lens from dust, and weather.
 
I have not tried KATA's lens cover, I do use KATA camera Bags and love them they make top notch stuff and are a great company to work with.
 
I've seen what appeared to be a lens scratch before on a DSLR lens, also courtesy of a lens cap. However, it came off easily with a microfiber cloth and turned out to be a smudge on the lens surface. Before you despair, try cleaning the lens.

Good luck!
 
I don't think a rounded plastic lens cap could scratch glass unless it was sharp and unusually hard...do you see any signs of the mark on your video?
 
The mark on the lens doesn't appear to show up when I review the video on my monitor, but I will do some more tests tomorrow. I wouldn't think a plastic cap would damage glass either, but I wasn't sure if the lens coatings were maybe more delicate than the glass itself. As THoff suggested, I will also try getting the spot off with a micro fiber cloth.

Thanks for the advice!
 
Rrrgh! I just went to put a UV filter on the lens, and indeed there's a sort of "rub mark" on the lens... looking for that microfiber cloth... but... rrrgh! I've taken the lens cap off TWICE.
That's it... and carefully....
 
God, so many compliants about this lens all over the net..... Panasonic should really do something to fix it. From Auto-focus to design. For me, not buying until this lens is re-worked. Its a bold step to make a 22x lens... thats great Panny...now lets work out the kinks. (and give us color peaking please)
 
While the auto focus issue is unfortunate, my problem was someone improperly packaging the camera. Not the lenses fault at all. Luckily some more diligent work with a microfiber cloth did the trick and the spot that was on the lens came off. Overall, I'm very impressed with the camera so far. For a 1/3 inch chip camera at under $5000, the image you get really is stunning. I'm looking forward to spending more time with it and reading Barry's book!
 
Yes, let's not mix this in with autofocus issues… the camera is great and the lens cap… well, I'll be trying alternatives… but the lens itself really delivers!
 
i always wish panny would make a mechanical lens cap. carrying lens cap around annoys me. specially the big ones like in hmc150/170
 
Hmmm... Just go the Cavision LCAS1412W in the mail... the concept is definitely better than the KATA... that is, the Cavision actually has some type of hard (plastic?) material inside the soft stuff, and when properly in place, when pushed from the front, feels much like the lens cap of an HVX/HMC... but it's SQUARE (even though the pictures online make it seem wide), and thus a lot taller than it needs to be. It also is not very "deep", making it a little difficult (but doable) to get it on the AC130/160/HPX250 lens hood. Construction is not as good as the KATA, but because the KATA is soft in front (i.e., is sorta stretchy material that can be pushed into the lens hood), the Cavision gets my vote for now.

Someone... a wide version of the cavision, a little deeper?

I'm going to try modding thae KATA... maybe even hybridizing them...
 
Actually, the Cavision jammed into the end of the KATA (with the Cavision logo facing the lens) works pretty well! The KATA has much better hardware for tightening the "cap" around the lens, which it lets you do one-handed (the Cavision doesn't)... and is much deeper and thus easier to fit.. so... they're each pretty cheap, so about $20 for the combo... The PortaBrace LC-55X65 should work as well... anyone try it? Or the Coverlens?
 
ullanta said:
Actually, the Cavision jammed into the end of the KATA (with the Cavision logo facing the lens) works pretty well! The KATA has much better hardware for tightening the "cap" around the lens, which it lets you do one-handed (the Cavision doesn't)... and is much deeper and thus easier to fit.. so... they're each pretty cheap, so about $20 for the combo... The PortaBrace LC-55X65 should work as well... anyone try it? Or the Coverlens?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info if I go with the HPX 250 I will have to try this.
 
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