Highly Recommended - 3 Stage Rubber Lens Hoods

[Paul Lange]

I recently purchased some used lenses that were of the older style without the bayonet style hood fitting. Flare had been a bit of an issue on a few occasions so I looked about a bit for some screw fit lens hoods and found these.

They're not expensive; I bought a 52mm and 58mm for less than £4 each and the quality while not superlative is very good. The screw fit section is plastic to which the actual rubber hood is attached. They are well designed and allow the use of a lens cap while the hood is fitted. The hood is soft and flexible and is not the very cheap rubber that has quite a pungent odor. All in all a useful, cheap bargain that will be used regularly. These are the kind of bargains I like the best .

I bought mine from UKBNS http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/petiteqq/ on Ebay although I would have thought they are available from many other sources.

 

[Jim Kuo]

Thanks for sharing this Paul.

Apart from reducing possible flare, one of the main motivations for me to use a hood is lens protection (I don't use UV filters). Do you find these rubber hoods less effective against accidental knocks and bumps?

 

[Paul Lange]

I had to pull my camera out and slap it about a bit to see how well protected the front element was. Obviously a hard lens hood would offer better protection but these are still fairly good. The rubber sides tend to cave in and cover the lens protecting it. A direct head on knock tends to collapse the hood but the screw in fitting protrudes about 8mm so the front element is quite tucked away.

 

[Kev Pugh]

I would have thought that the rubber would help to absorb some of the shock of an impact thus preventing the possibility of any barrel/focusing ring damage etc. where as a solid hood would be less effective....thinking crumple zones.....guess though ultimately nothing will really protect fully other than not taking it out...

 

[Paul Lange]

Good idea Kev, we should all just buy the latest gear, never use it other than to photograph a brick wall and then join that "other" forum.

 

[Pete Askew]

I found my old rubber lens hood the other week. I used to use it all the time about 20-odd years ago and found it pretty practical. I can't imagine it would afford much protection though.

 

[Paul Lange]

Is that what you call it Pete? Yes, you are right I wouldn't of thought it would afford much protection after 20 years of dormancy. You know they sell one use disposable ones these days don't you.

 

[Pete Askew]

I did use a new filter for each lens though!!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Paul, would you chuck a few links to these from ebay
If anyone wants one and buys through a link posted here RPF gets a cut see

 

[Paul Lange]

Done!