Date Added: Tuesday 24 February, 2015

by Marsel van Oosten

Contrary to what most people think, I don't use these covers for camouflage at all. The main reason I use them is for protection. I spend a lot of time on safaris in Africa, and the covers protect my lenses from dust and from the burning sun. They also protect my gear from getting scratched, which is important once I decide to sell a lens.

I also spend a lot of time in very cold conditions - Svalbard, Antarctica, Iceland, Japan. Camera gear turns very cold very quickly, and handholding your lens in freezing conditions means that you're basically holding a heavy chunk of ice. Gloves will help of course, but your fingers will get cold quickly anyway. The neoprene covers insulate the lens and the soft material does not get as cold as the plastic and metal lens components. In very cold conditions, this is actually when I enjoy the covers most.