Who makes the best replacement lens caps?

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'm also a fan of Heliopan or B+W for step rings.

I've been happy with inexpensive Chinese metal screw caps, which you can find on eBay, but they may not be ideal for lenses that have prominently convex front elements that could contact the inside surface of the cap. Not everyone likes screw caps, because they take longer to remove.

Nikon pinch caps are nicely made. Zeiss pinch caps can pinch from the center, so you can remove and attach them with a bayonet-mount or slip on lens shade in place.

[BrianL]

Stay away from those plastic stepup and stepdown rings. I bought 1 out of desperation and whenever I used it, I had a dickens of a time getting it off as it would deform when grabbed. Finally figured out to keep an elastic band on it to grip it with least deformity.

[BrianL]

In a pinch, use a plastic bag with an elastic or something like Saran Wrap. Beats no lens cap or lens back cap.

[bobwysiwyg]

Zeiss pinch caps can pinch from the center,

I used similar caps for a time. It's a personal flaw I know, but on occasion, I would forget if I had already removed and pocketed the cap or not. I would go "pinch" it to remove it, only to find it was already removed and now have finger prints on the front element. Now I only use the ones that pinch from the outer edge.

[Jeff Bannow]

Thanks everyone. APUG is indeed a fountain of knowledge.