P&S lack of lens cover?

[R_Lefebvre]

I've been thinking about picking up the Pentax W90 camera as a "knockabout" camera. Something I can use outdoors in any weather, without any worries, stick it in a pocket of a motorcycle jacket, etc.

Anyway, the problem with it, and just about any P&S I'm seeing these days, is they don't have any lens covers, and no provision for a lens cap, or anything. Seems to me, at best it's going to result in fingerprints and dust on the front of the lens. Won't this mess up the photos? At worst, eventually you'll get a good scratch on the lens.

The last time I bought a P&S was about 10 years ago, and it had a little slide-out lens cover, which was fine. But they don't seem to have them anymore. What am I missing?

 

[BIGdaddy]

I've been thinking about picking up the Pentax W90 camera as a "knockabout" camera. Something I can use outdoors in any weather, without any worries, stick it in a pocket of a motorcycle jacket, etc.

Anyway, the problem with it, and just about any P&S I'm seeing these days, is they don't have any lens covers, and no provision for a lens cap, or anything. Seems to me, at best it's going to result in fingerprints and dust on the front of the lens. Won't this mess up the photos? At worst, eventually you'll get a good scratch on the lens.

The last time I bought a P&S was about 10 years ago, and it had a little slide-out lens cover, which was fine. But they don't seem to have them anymore. What am I missing?

you are right, might optio doesn't have a cover either. I've gotten used to swiping the lens with a cotton shirt to clean it, but I've never gotten a scratch.

Mine came with a slick little holster that works really well to keep it safe.

 

[Photomike]

I don't use lens caps on any of my cameras, I do shoot several thousand shots a week with 2 DLSR's and we have three or four point and shoot cameras.

Dust on the lens is not going to show ~unless it is HUGE. Scratches are hard to do unless you really abuse your camera.

My suggestion to my students is to get a nice cushioned bag for the camera, this will do a lot more to protect it than anything.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

So, spend tons of money on high quality optics, but dust/dirt on the lens doesn't matter? I'm pretty much a newb, but it seems counter to the point of spending tons of money on the best lens? I would have thought dust (or especially thumb prints) would make images less clear?

Anyway, more to the point, seems the Olympus Tough 6000 has a lens cover, and is cheaper. I can see how a camera case would help a lot, but what I'm looking for is something I can just stuff in a pocket somewhere.

 

[Photomike]

So, spend tons of money on high quality optics, but dust/dirt on the lens doesn't matter? I'm pretty much a newb, but it seems counter to the point of spending tons of money on the best lens? I would have thought dust (or especially thumb prints) would make images less clear?

Anyway, more to the point, seems the Olympus Tough 6000 has a lens cover, and is cheaper. I can see how a camera case would help a lot, but what I'm looking for is something I can just stuff in a pocket somewhere.

Tons of money for a lens is $5000 and more, and yes even with these lenses having some dust on the end is not a huge deal as you are focusing far enough away that it does not effect the picture quality. I have seen lenses that are covered in dust and other substances and they still get great pictures. Most pros are more worried about selling the print then dusting the lens, so I get to see a lot of very dirty lenses but we still are able to print amazing 40x60" prints and you don't see the dust.

As mentioned previously, carry a soft cloth and clean the lens with this if it is an issue. Overall you will not notice it.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Huh. I guess I've been paranoid about scratching the lens by dry cleaning it with a cloth. You know how eyeglass lenses scratch so easy.

 

[Photomike]

Huh. I guess I've been paranoid about scratching the lens by dry cleaning it with a cloth. You know how eyeglass lenses scratch so easy.

As long as it is not sand you should be okay.

 

[RHINO]

like mike says the lens end of the camera is not a big issue to photo quality unless its HUGE. even a fingerprint on a P&S will prolly never show because the sensor simply doesnt gather enough information. keep your lens clean but dont be paranoid about it.

as far as spending big bucks on the DSLR lenses,, we have filters on the ends of those lenses and the real glass is rarely out there in the open.