A lens cap was the one thing that I couldn't buy at The Photography Show – but why?

Sony A7III spare lens cap story
Spare lens cap I had for my Sony A7III (Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

Is there a shortage of lens caps? Many people believe so! I lost the lens cap to my Sony FE 90mm 2.8 Macro G OSS this weekend at The Photography and Video Show 2022, and while I have a spare at home, I thought there was bound to be a suitable lens cap that I would be able to purchase at the show, but boy was I wrong.

The Photography and Video Show 2022 kicked off this weekend at Birmingham's NEC, and among the exciting antics and opportunities to capture photos at every turn, I lost my lens cap.

These are the best rain covers for your camera gear.

Losing my lens cap isn't out of the ordinary for me, as unfortunately, I am forever misplacing small items and thinking they're in my back pocket by mistake. Not to worry, but I now needed something to protect my lens when taking it in and out of my bag – thankfully, I was at The Photography Show! The best possible place to be to buy the replacement cap that I needed then and there... right?

After heading to the Sony stall, the first point of call on Saturday, they sadly didn't have the lens cap that I needed. Pressing onwards on my quest for a cap, I headed to the Accessory Centre, London Camera Exchange, the Disabled Photographers' Society, Wex, and essentially all other stalls that sold camera cases or accessories, with no luck. 

It was very bizarre that at the number one place and photography event in the UK to get exclusive gear and camera bargains, I couldn't find a single sodding lens cap! One person I spoke with at the Camera World stall even suggested that there may be a UK shortage as caps become increasingly harder to source.

Sony employee at stall (Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

While this by no means ruined my experience at The Photography Show, I still had an exceptional time getting to meet and explore all of the different brands and purchase Photography Show Exclusives that I wouldn't have been able to find elsewhere (and not to mention the show deals), it was still very bizarre that out of over 250 of the biggest brands in the business, not one of them had a lens cap for sale.

(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

The Photography and Video Show 2022 will be closing its doors tomorrow, Monday 19 September, as a mark of respect for the National Day of Mourning in the UK. However, the Show will re-open its doors on Tuesday for a whole host of Pro Masterclasses, live talks, and panels. 

Book your ticket to The Photography Show here

These are the best protection filters for lenses. Check out these 6 photography hacks for lens and body caps, and make sure your latest smartphone is protected with these best camera lens protectors.

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Beth Nicholls
Staff Writer

A staff writer for Digital Camera World, Beth has an extensive background in various elements of technology with five years of experience working as a tester and sales assistant for CeX. After completing a degree in Music Journalism, followed by obtaining a Master's degree in Photography awarded by the University of Brighton, she spends her time outside of DCW as a freelance photographer specialising in live music events and band press shots under the alias 'bethshootsbands'.