Cups and Mugs for a Photographer: Drinking Coffee out of a Lens
If you know an avid photographer or are yourself at least a serious photography enthusiast, then you have probably got bitten from the ‘equipment bug’ -- especially in relation to lenses. But how many lenses can you actually drink a nice pouring of hot coffee from? Well, there are these ingenious cups made in the image and likeness of popular D-SLR lenses!
Your choice of a cup may depend on what your favorite lens is. These can be used as souvenirs, but they are really meant to be used as regular cups.
Popular Lenses from which Replica Lens Cups are made
There are a few lenses among Canon and Nikon that are the most popular, and the replica of these lenses are made into cups, mugs and thermoses.
Summary of Lens Cup Replicas
Canon
| Nikon
| |
|---|---|---|
24-70mm f/4
| 24-70mm f/2.8
| |
24-105mm f/4
| ||
28-135mm f/4
| ||
70-200mm f/2.8
| 70-200mm f/2.8
|
List is not exhaustive. Know of one not listed?
What to Watch Out for When Buying a Lens Cup/Mug
If you’re going to actually use the cup to drink from and carry beverages around, then there are some stuff to look out for. First of all, a stainless interior lining is ideal for keeping hot beverages hot, and cold beverages cold. If you are looking for a travel cup, then make sure the model lens cup you are buying has a lid that can properly seal it. Also, make sure that the cup you choose is designed in a way that it doesn't easily topple over. Some lens cups can rest on the lens hood which widens the base making the cup more stable. With these basic features in mind, let’s look at lens cups and mugs available.
Lens Cup Design Examples
Fotodiox LenZcups:
- Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 Cup
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 Thermos
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 Cup
- Canon 70-210mm f/F Cup
General Criticisms
Like: made 1:1 with the actual lens; stainless steel interior; choice of cups and thermos.
Hate: that it has no spout on cover to drink through. You have to open the lid totally.
Bottom Line: It is a good replica of the original lens, and has basic capability for carrying hot beverages. However, it may not be a good travel cup.
Cuplens:
EF 24-105mm f/4
General Criticisms
Like: best seller among lens cups/mugs (on Amazon); has stainless steel interior.
Hate: can only hold 12 ounces.
Photojojo
Photojojo sells Canon and Nikon Lens cups as well including the replicas of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, Canon 24-105 f/4 and the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. These lens cups are probably the some of the best built cups of those listed.
Basic Conclusion About Lens Cups
These cups are great eye candy for photographers and photo enthusiasts. They may not be the best travel cups, as they often have an issue with the lid. Some may leak, while others may not have a drinking spout. But you don’t necessarily have to use lens mugs to drink from. After all, many artistic mugs are not used for drinking purposes, but for other uses such as holding pencils and pens.
These lens mugs are great gifts for photographers, and you will find loads of them getting excited over a cup made in the replica of their favorite lens.
