posted Monday, 24 March 2008, 17:00 (+0800), by Martin
For anyone who has a set of extension tubes, here's a cheap and easy way to
protect them in your camera bag.
Just slide the extension tubes into a neoprene stubby/can holder.
The thick neoprene provides a very thick and robust holder, protecting your extension tubes from getting scratched in your camera bag.
A stubby holder is also significantly cheaper than a lens case designed specifically for photographic gear, particularly if you can get the stubby holders for nothing, as many companies give stubby holders away as promotional items, or alternatively, they can be purchased cheaply at many retail outlets as souvenir items.
(For people unfamiliar with stubby holders, they are used to keep a beer stubby or beer can cold in the hot Australian summer. ie, a stubby holder is designed to hold an aluminium drink can or glass stubby, typically beer. The term "stubby" refers to a short glass beer bottle, with a capacity ranging from 345-375mL. Stubby holders seem to be uniquely Australian.)
While there are many types of stubby holders, including polystyrene, plastic, etc, most seem to be made from neoprene (ie, wet-suit material), and often have a promotional message for a company or place printed on the outside.
Because of their elasticity, the neoprene stubby holders easily stretch a little to fit the extension tubes.
Some smaller lenses can also be stored inside a stubby holder. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens is a similar diameter to the extension tubes, and easily fits inside. If necessary, you could cut down a stubby holder for short lenses like the 50mm f/1.8 lens.
I'll let the photos speak for themselves:
Note that you shouldn't just pull your empty beer can out of your stubby holder, and then insert your extension tubes or lens. You need to ensure the stubby holder is completely dry, as any moisture in the stubby holder could damage the extension tubes or lens.
extension tubes securely protected inside a stubby holder
The thick neoprene provides a very thick and robust holder, protecting your extension tubes from getting scratched in your camera bag.
A stubby holder is also significantly cheaper than a lens case designed specifically for photographic gear, particularly if you can get the stubby holders for nothing, as many companies give stubby holders away as promotional items, or alternatively, they can be purchased cheaply at many retail outlets as souvenir items.
(For people unfamiliar with stubby holders, they are used to keep a beer stubby or beer can cold in the hot Australian summer. ie, a stubby holder is designed to hold an aluminium drink can or glass stubby, typically beer. The term "stubby" refers to a short glass beer bottle, with a capacity ranging from 345-375mL. Stubby holders seem to be uniquely Australian.)
While there are many types of stubby holders, including polystyrene, plastic, etc, most seem to be made from neoprene (ie, wet-suit material), and often have a promotional message for a company or place printed on the outside.
Because of their elasticity, the neoprene stubby holders easily stretch a little to fit the extension tubes.
Some smaller lenses can also be stored inside a stubby holder. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens is a similar diameter to the extension tubes, and easily fits inside. If necessary, you could cut down a stubby holder for short lenses like the 50mm f/1.8 lens.
I'll let the photos speak for themselves:
a set of Kenko extension tubes and an empty stubby holder
fitting the extension tubes inside the stubby holder
even more protection: stretch a second stubby holder over the open end of the first
Note that you shouldn't just pull your empty beer can out of your stubby holder, and then insert your extension tubes or lens. You need to ensure the stubby holder is completely dry, as any moisture in the stubby holder could damage the extension tubes or lens.
