Sensei Clip-On Cap Keeper

I recently bought three different lens cap keepers via Amazon and here is my comparison review of the Sensei clip-on cap keeper ($11.73), Hufa – the Original Lens Cap Clip ($7.49), and The Cam Design Lens Cap Clip from rtrivr.com ($9.99). I have not had these long or subjected them to field testing. I am only commenting on what straps they seem to work well on, and how securely they seem to grip various lens caps.I tested these on two different camera straps, an Ape Case neoprene strap 1.5 inches wide and quite thick and cushiony, and an OEM Canon half-inch wide, thin clothe strap. The Ape Case strap has trim sewn on both edges of the neoprene so it may be thicker than a typical neoprene strap which is just a strip of neoprene with no edge treatment.The Sensei clip seems the most secure and well-made. It is also the most complicated and expensive. It required some adjustment to get it to clip over the Ape Case strap. I had to be sure the strap was dead center in the Sensei strap clip. If you have a neoprene camera strap wider than 2 inches or so, it might nor clip over it, especially if, like mine, it has bulky edge stripping. However, once clipped on the Sensei was very secure. It was also secure on the smaller strap. I particularly like the springloaded clip for holding the lens caps. It is easier to insert a lens cap then the other models – which rely on friction and downward pressure from the clip, not pressure from a spring. The Sensei clip jaws open very wide and, top and bottom jaws include a ridge of plastic which seems to act like teeth and provide positive grip on the cap when the “teeth” are fully-inside the cap.Unlike the Sensei, the Hufa and the CamDesign models rely on weaving the strap through some slots, similar to affixing some belt buckles. The Hufa is smaller, and would not fit over the larger strap at all. Both worked acceptably over the smaller strap, although the CamDesign was a little loose. The CamDesign model fit over the bigger strap but the elements of the attachment system were a little separated due to the thickness of the strap. I fear this could lead to the clip snagging on clothing. This would possibly not be an issue on a more simply constructed neoprene strapBecause of the design of the Hufa clip, it had a fairly encouraging grip on lens caps of all thicknesses. It exerts more downward pressure than the CamDesign. Honestly, I am probably not going to use the CamDesign model. The grip on the lens cap was just too loose in comparison to the others.I believe the Sensei is only available in black, while the others come in some cool colors. That is nice as I don’t mind being visible, and the colors might make you remember the clip. The CamDesign model also includes a wide rubber band which is supposed to prevent your longer telephoto lenses from drooping down to full-extension when hanging from your camera strap. Neat idea. Not really sure how that will work and I have yet to try it.If you have a smaller strap and care about colors and/or price, I recommend the Hufa. The Sensei is the better choice for thicker, wider straps. If function is your primary concern, not price or color, my guess is the Sensei is easiest to use because the jaws open very wide and easily. All the models require you to grasp the clip with one hand and insert the lens cap with the other, but I suspect the Sensei will be easier to use with cold hands or while wearing gloves.All three work, but I have reservations about the CamDesign. All three could wear out or loosen over time, particularly the two similar, all-plastic clips which rely on their plastic bodies not getting stretched out over time. Will cold or hot weather have an impact on their performance? How about some moisture making the clip surfaces slippery? I don’t think environmental factors will have as big an impact on the Sensei design.Good luck! Happy shooting!

Before this Sensei clip-on cap keeper, I was always losing my lens cap. I would drop it somewhere in a building under construction and realize it nine floors later, and no way am I going to re-climb nine flights of stairs for a lens cap. Once, a lens cap fell out of my pocket and bounced along the concrete and fell 45 stories. Luckily no one was hurt. It's called clip-on for two reasons. One, there is a clip on the back so you can attach the clip to something: the camera bag case, the camera strap, etc... In my case, I clip it to the radio tabs of my safety vest (see picture below). It holds in place securely and doesn't move even when I am banging around ladders and tight spaces. Some reviewers complained the hinge is weak, and it may be, but only if you are actively taking it off and putting it back on somewhere else. At $10-$12 each, if I need another somewhere I'll probably just buy another. Anyway, the keeper is then like a large clothes pin, in that it you open the clamp to clip-on to the lens cap. So, in my case, the lens caps for the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 and f/4 L lenses (77mm and 83mm filter sizes), which have "pinch-type" lens cap mechanisms where the recesses in the cap fit perfectly with the clamp teeth of the keeper (again, see below). Since I purchased this, I've only had the cap dislodge once, when I swung my monopod around my head and I hit my vest and the lens cap came out and fell to the ground. Other than that one extreme situation, the lens cap keeper does what it promises and keeps my lens cap through bad weather, tight spaces between wall studs I have to squeeze through, and ladders and narrow passageways. So, I'm quite happy with this purchase, it meets my needs completely.

Does what it suppose to do, efficiently. The clip fits over my wide neoprene camera strap well. Some people have complained that the plastic hinge looked to weaken after several opening and closing. I'm not really sure why they would need to remove them so many times (I would just buy more than one), but if this is a major concern - the hinge is plastic. Contrary to some reviews, it does have a metal spring in the lens clamp. Yes, it smaller in diameter but a heavier gauge wire is not necessary to hold even a larger lens cap. Holds my 77mm cap just fine. I have tried many different options for holding lens caps, and so far this is my favorite one. I do a lot of long exposures and the elastic band holder that attaches to the lens cap with an elastic band - is not an option for me due to the slightest breeze will blow the hanging lens cap. I remove my quick release strap when shooting and I won't easily misplace my strap along with the lens cap using this product.

I have issue with losing lens caps, have tried a few keepers in the past including snap on type keepers. This is the best lens cap keeper I have used, simple and works with all size lens caps. Fast and secure, the ability to mount the keeper on a camera strap or backpack strap is perfect for my outdoor camera use. Well worth the price paid.Update: I like this device enough to buy another, no issues with lost caps, very happy with performance of this simple device.

I have left several of lens caps during outdoor shoots where I don't fully pack my gear to quickly head to a new spot. My solution before was to just suck it up and purchase a new cap, which you know how expensive an OEM cap can be. Cap leashes are always getting in the way. I clicked this keeper to my strap or bag if I tote it along. The clasp is strong and the mount is easy on and off. It is certainly less expensive to purchase a few of these than to keep replacing caps or risking an after market cap that does not fit quite right. This product works well and in my opinion a no brainer.