i'd like to get some lens pouches for my leica lenses that i got used. i've tried a generic cloth one from b&h, but find it's too big and bulky for smaller lenses. i'm looking for pouches that fit excactly correctly for the 35 and 50 summicrons..

-- Tristan (tristan@tristantom.com), June 07, 2001

Answers

If what you want is pouches for Leica lenses, not Leica lens pouches, you might want to try what I've been using for almost 30 years. Take a nice soft, thick, springy sock (I use colored cotton ones from the Gap) and cut off the top, ribbed part. Turn that tube inside out and make a couple of passes across the bottom, cut, end with a sewing machine, then turn it right side out again. I've got a bunch of these in my bag, and they're perfect for any lens, just as they are. Because of the stretch ribbing it's easy to get the lenses in and out and yet they don't fall out on their own. They're thick enough to completely protect your lenses, and to clean them turn them inside out and throw them in the wash. I can tell by the feel which lens is inside, and the same sock will fit almost every lens. Perfect. If you want to go formal, buy black.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), June 07, 2001.

I like the Op-Tech pouches:

http://www.optechusa.com/camera.htm#Photo

B&H carries them.

-- Bob (robljones@home.com), June 07, 2001.

If making your own, I would be careful not to use a fabric that retains moisture.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), June 07, 2001.

I used the sock thing several years back, but found they threw off too much lint for me, which always seemed to work its way inside the lens. (I'm sure sox are made of better materials now, but I admit to being a creature of habit.) Since then, I have switched to cutting up padded Domke lenswraps and sewing them into little envelope shaped pouches that seal with their velcro tab. (I generally get two pouches per wrap.) These work great on everything from Leica lenses to mounted large format lenses, and they do not lint. Another plus, is they come in several colors, so you can color-code if you desire.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), June 08, 2001.

Also consider the "simplies" line of pouches made by Billingham. B+H sells them. Leather boot, nylon body, cinch strap. They work nicely and leave no lint.

-- Chris Henry (henryjc@concentric.net), June 09, 2001.