Lenses - up or down?

[Mr Badger]

Is there a correct way round to store SLR lenses in a camera bag, case or draw? I usually store lenses with the front element facing upwards (with lens caps fitted to both ends); my thinking behind this is that the back of the lens has to at least take the weight of the lens or camera (depending if the lens has a tripod mount), so is probably going to be stronger and more robust than the front. So let the lens sit in storage on its strongest end.

I've seen quite a few photos that show lenses being stored 'face down' in camera bags lately, and was wondering if there is a 'proper way round' to store them when not in use? I know some lens instruction manuals say to keep the rear element facing upwards when changing lenses, but surely this is to protect the uncovered rear element and connecting mechanics/electrical contacts from damage, rather than for long term storage? So what does the team think, sunny side up, or doesn't it matter?

 

[Feynman68]

I always stored them like you, front upwards with both caps in place, but I honestly have no idea whether I was doing the right thing. It always seemed to me that the mount was stronger than the front and therefore should be at the bottom of the bag where it would take more knocks. Interesting to read what other people say about it.

 

[RJ Bradbury]

I have always stored mine front element down in my Think Tank roller bag with no issues. I have the focal legnth written on the rear cap so it's easy to see what lens im grabbing.

 

[posiview]

No.

 

[Fuzzdog]

Mine get stored right side up, upside down, sideways, whichever way - never had any problems!

 

[ecoleman]

If it mattered, I think you'd find the manufacturers would tell you.

 

[Snapsh0t]

Many, many years ago my father had a Vivitar zoom that suffered from oil seeping from the mechanism on to the internal glass if it wasn't stored upright. Although it was well out of warranty, Vivitar fixed it FOC as it was a known manufacturing fault. I've always stored my lenses whichever way was convenient without any problems.

 

[Nod]

Most of mine are horizontal - in bags stood on their bases. Those few that are vertical are front element down since that's the most stable position (front caps are all wider than rear caps on the lenses I have.)

 

[Throttle]

I have my lenses stored in all directions in various camera bags with it zipped up and silica bags packed inside

 

[Nawty]

I have them face down so I can take the rear cap off before taking it out of the bag to change lenses - it facilitates fast changing.

However, in terms of damaging the lens, store it any old how you like.

 

[realspeed]

Mine as stored in Peli cases lying flat with small silcon bags to prevent moisture

 

[Canon Bob]

If it mattered, I think you'd find the manufacturers would tell you.

Interestingly Pentax do tell you although they don't give the reason. The 645 manual instructs you to place them with the front element downwards. This might simply be for stability but it's often the case that the mount end diameter is greater than the front end so it would seem to eliminate that possibility.

Bob

 

[Mr Badger]

Interestingly Pentax do tell you although they don't give the reason. The 645 manual instructs you to place them with the front element downwards. This might simply be for stability but it's often the case that the mount end diameter is greater than the front end so it would seem to eliminate that possibility.

Bob

ISTR Canon say to place the lens front element downwards when changing a lens, but I think they qualified that by saying it was to protect the rear element and electrical contacts, or something like that? Thanks for the replies, the only lenses I've ever had develop faults (a click/snag when zooming a Canon EF 28-135 IS and a sticking aperture on a Canon 50mm FD 1.8) were stored with the lens on the camera, but I think age was the factor with the FD lens, it probably needs a service after 36 years and remaining unused for about 10 of those!

 

[rob-nikon]

I always store them stand on the front element (of course with front lens cap on), the reason I do this is 1/ less space taken up than lying on their side, and 2/ the font element is wider than the rear lens cap so there is less chance of them toppling over if knocked slightly.

I can't see a reason why direction could be a problem with modern lenses. If you look at how canon and nikon store them at the olympics up or down seems to be fine.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/news..._olympics_has_us_wishing_we_were_there.html#b

 

[DG Phototraining]

I tend to have mine facing down, but that's only so I can pick them up and put them on without having to turn them around

I use a rear cap but never bother with front element lens caps

Dave

 

[Phil-1]

Front element facing down in my bags and on the rear when stored out of the bag.

 

[Marc]

Front element facing down in my bags and on the rear when stored out of the bag.

Same here. Front down in the bag because it's easier to get hold of the lens. Other way out of the bag purely because the lens caps are rounded so would be less stable.

 

[dinners]

I tend to have mine front element down with the rear caps facing up.

When I take a lens off the camera I put it face down in the bag, twist the rear cap off the lens I'm about to mount, move it onto the one I've just put down.

Never given it any thought - just kind of found that way of working works.

 

[sk66]

In storage/transport I tend to alternate them as I can fit them tighter together. But in use I leave the caps off and put them in the bag lens mount down... I do this because it is less likely for crud to get into the lens and then into the camera body.