Review of the JJC ALC-3 Panasonic LX3 Lens Cap
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 1:49PM 
Even though it's getting a bit long in the tooth (in digital camera terms) for many people the Panasonic LX3 is still the perfect compact camera.
It fills a niche all of it's own - fitting in somewhere between the mass market compacts and the Micro 4/3 semi-pro models. It could be argued that it's wide fast optics are still unmatched at this price point. That's not to say it isn't without it's negatives - a limited zoom and a manual lens cap are the most common complaints.
Lens caps are an accepted norm for SLRs but have become anachronistic for a camera of this size. Many LX3 owners, like myself, have upgraded from a compact camera with a built in automatic lens shield and therefore find the need to frequently remove and replace a lens cap to be an irritating inconvenience.
For a while now, many people have worked on creating alternative solutions based around the Ricoh LC-1 lens cap. This cap is designed to be permanently attached to certain Ricoh cameras and the iris of hinged doors automatically open whenever the lens is extended. The process of modifing the LC-1 lens cap to fit the LX3 was less than simple with various fiddly techniques being used to file the lens down and cut out some plastic. Most of these techniques run the danger of stripping the plastic lens cap threads on the LX3.
I bought an LC-1 lens cap and attempted this mod - I ended up slashing my finger so badly with a stanley knife that I had to superglue the cut together to stop it bleeding and unsurprisingly the project went on hold.
Well imagine my relief when I found a HK retailer on Ebay selling a 'copy' of the LC-1 lens cap design, purpose-built to fit on the LX3 straight out of the box. The lens cap is called the JJC ALC-3 and cost me £11 delivered (search ebay for auto lens cap lx3 to find a retailer.
The JJC cap next to my mangled Ricoh cap (notice the new threads inside the top of the JJC)
So now that it's arrived, let's see if it works. First thing to do is unscrew the lens screw thread cover from the camera. If you decide to do this yourself, make sure you look after this component, this seemingly insignificant ring is notoriously difficult and expensive to buy. The next step is to screw on the new lens cap and wave farewell to the old one.
The main (only?) difference between the original Ricoh and the JJC cap is that the latter has the correct size of thread to enable it to screw onto the LX3 mount. It turns out that this is all that was needed to make the lens work perfectly with the Lx3. The lens cap screws on effortlessly and fits snuggly and securely. I don't think it looks too ugly and most importantly for me, the camera still fits in it's official and expensive custom leather case.
The opening and closing mechanism works well once it's on the camera and the doors don't infringe upon the lens - even at maximum zoom (the LX3 lens gets shorter as it zooms in). [EDIT - unfortunately it does vignette - check comments for more info]. The doors are a bit flimsy, but no more so than the original Ricoh model, but I'll be buying a spare one, just in case. I should also mention that the cap isn't air tight, so dust could still sneak in through the cracks between the doors.
To see how it works in practice - check the video.
UPDATE 20th February 2010 - Erik commented that JJC are apparently looking into modifying the Lens cap as a result of customer feedback. The two problems with the current design are Vignetting when zoomed in and weak springs on the flaps - JJC emailed the following reply to Erik.... "We had customer reported similar feedbacks to us before. Therefore, our factory is trying to improve the auto lens cap’s quality … Please wait for our second generation ALC-3 and we will improve those weak points to make you satisfaction!”.
Excellent news - maybe we will eventually get the lens cap that all LX3 owners are waiting for.
UPDATE - 2nd APRIL 2010
Please watch my follow up video on how to quickly and cheaply mod this lens cap so that it doesn't vignette at maximum zoom. Now I'm finally satisfied with my LX3.
EDIT 29th April 2010
Be sure to check out my report on JJC's version 2 update of their ALC-3 LX3 lens cap.
Reader Comments (28)
Nice review! Since you mentioned that dust can still get in, are you worried about that damaging the lens?
I may have overstated the chance of dust getting in - I think there is probably more chance of me getting dust on the lens when it is exposed to take a picture. But regardless, at some point dust is bound to land on the lens and I'll just extend the lens to the maximum length and wipe it off with a soft lens cloth.
It's unlikely I'd damage the lens doing this - the glass is unlikely to scratch if a degree of care is taken. I worried more about depositing greasy finger prints on the lens (a mistake I've made more than once when replacing the cap) and I can now relax knowing that this won't be happening again.
Hi TM,
I can't really tell for sure, but it looks as if there's a big of vignetting on shots taken at the long end of the zoom. Those leaves of the cap seem to protrude very far in towards the middle of the lens! Can you test the camera with and without the cap on the same scene (perhaps a white wall) to see if there's any vignetting?
Thanks,
Ambrose
I've just checked it again and you are absolutely right. I didn't notice it earlier but against a white wall it is there at 2x and 2.5x - very hard to spot, but now I know, I'll have to do something about it. I'll add some rubber spacers to the inside of the doors, just to just keep them open an additional mm or so.
Thanks.
Yes, it seems to be missing the tabs needed for the zoomed shot. E.g. http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4992356&postcount=8
Too bad about that slight vignetting. It doesn't look too serious for snapshots but it's obviously not optimal. Hope the manufacturer tweaks their design in future.
I just sent an email to JJC asking for a fix of both the vignetting problem and that the doors don't close correctly (too weak springs). I hope very much that they will show a positive interest in improving the design!
It would be nice to think that they'll listen and make the appropriate modifications - but unfortunately I think that this is unlikely. Fingers crossed though.
Fantastic find! I'll be keeping my eyes open for that in this part of the world. (And mebbe get an extra one too)
I've got some great news! I received an answer from JJC today which says "We had customer reported similar feedbacks to us before. Therefore, our factory is trying to improve the auto lens cap’s quality ... Please wait for our second generation ALC-3 and we will improve those weak points to make you satisfaction!"
That's brilliant news. I'll keep my eye open for any update on this - please report back if you hear any more from JJC. Many thanks Erik.
Hi,
Thanks for the nice hands-on video, I myself am considering to get the LX3. At first I wasn't aware of the complaints about the lens cap until I stumbled upon your video on Youtube. What I'm actually curious about is the piano music in the video, could you tell me who the artist is?
The music is the stock music that comes with the iLife suite on the Mac (no artist details available). As far as the LX3 - it's stock lens cap is no more annoying than any other lens cap -it's just that most other compact cameras don't use them any more.
Erik - I'm sure all of us would very much appreciate it if you updated the comments here if/when JJC gets back to you about the new version they mentioned.
Thanks!
interesting and useful information, thanks
Brilliant idea. My newly purchased LX3 is being shipped to me as I write this. My wife got tired of me always borrowing hers. Do you think it is possible to reduce the size of the washers to put less strain on the springs?
The washers were the smallest size that I could easily purchase at a hardware store but I wouldn't worry about any strain on the springs - the washers hardly weigh anything and my doors close just the same as they did before.
If I wasn't 100% happy, I would have peeled them off again.
Wow a two LX3 family - that's an endorsement of the camera.
Hi everybody- just had this message about the ALC-3 cap on eBay:
"Our factory have changed all Alc-3 to 2nd generation lens cap ,you can buy it .
best regards
timsan"
That's from the shop called Issishang.
Thanks, I've ordered one. Even if its the same model as before I might get one without a sticky door hinge this time. Fingers crossed though that it's the new model so that I don't have to mod it again. I'll report back here when it turns up.
Nice review Techmoan! I'll be purchasing the LX3 in the near future and was interested in cover. Hopfully the fix the issue on the first generation.
Anyone get a chance to try the new updated version? I am really temped to buy one.
I have now received the updated version - see post here..
http://techmoan.com/2010/04/29/the-jjc-alc-3-lens-cap-version-2-update/
(It's not good news).
Love your solution. Will search for new cap and begin my modification ASAP.
Now a new challenge for your creative mind. I would like an optical view finder for my LX3 but do not want to pay the $150 Lumix is asking. Yesterday missed shooting the WhiteKnight2 doing touch and goes at the Mojave Airport. Any DIY modifications available? Old view finder from a Canon or Leica, etc.?
Thanks again. Don
Some people have reported moderate success with the Helios 35-135 viewfinder but it looks like the DMW-VF1 is the only one that fits the frame properly. The price is crazy though. Looking at viewfinders in general, they all seem to cost insane amounts for what you get.
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Great review, keep up the good work :D
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Got my JJC ALC-3 lens cap and very happy. For my usage do not notice vignetting. Main concern is dust seeping through fine openings, but keep LX3 in a case when not in use, so NBD. My wife is 'old school' and prefers using original lens cap on her LX3 -- oh well. Thanks for the tip. BTW picked up a used viewfinder at a local camera swap meet that is almost perfect. $10.00. Only name on item is "Tele-Wide" (Japan). Have learned it's boundaries.
[...] For those who are following the saga of the hunt for an auto lens cap for the LX3….. [...]