Olympus-OM
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: lens hoods (was [OM] Performance of 21mm lenses)

Subject: Re: lens hoods (was [OM] Performance of 21mm lenses)
From: Jan Steinman <Jan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 10:19:30 -0700
From: "Wiese" <wiese@xxxxxxxxxx>

On a related note, I've become fairly disillusioned with the stock fixed
lens hoods supplied for lenses, particularly for wide-angles - I find them
useful for lens protection, but next to worthless for effective shading -
and this applies to all makes of lens, not just Olys...

I don't use a lens hood. (Except for the 18/3.5, because its "hood" lets me use a 72mm lens cap -- I hate the friction-fit cap on the 18/3.5!) I know there are those who keep one on constantly, and I think it's nearly as religious a topic as SC/MC and SUVs, but I really can't be bothered:

* they make the lenses harder to fit in the bag,
* most preclude the use of a lens cap,
* changing filters is a pain,
* a loose lens with a hood tends to roll unpredictably,
* etc., etc., etc.

I can see they might have some use to action shooters, but I shoot mainly from a tripod. My tripod "flare avoidance" procedure is:

* Look in the viewfinder. If you do not see the sun,
* lean over the camera until your hat/head/hand just barely shades the entire front element or filter.

If you don't use a tripod, you can generally do as good by looking through the viewfinder and moving your hat/hand until you can just see it, then moving it out until it just disappears.

* If you CAN see the sun in the viewfinder,
  * take a normal shot, then
  * repeat using the above procedure.
  * Pick the one you like best, or
  * use Photoshop to put the sun and iris ghost back in the shaded shot.

 Is anyone using
bellows shades on 35mm gear successfully?  Are there any brands to seek out
or avoid?

I have an Ambico that I got as part of a whole system purchase. I put it on once. It was pretty clumsy. I haven't used it since, but I keep it around, just in case. I guess it might be useful in studio lighting, to keep strobes out of the lens.

: Jan Steinman <mailto:Jan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
: Bytesmiths <http://www.bytesmiths.com>

< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Sponsored by Tako
Impressum | Datenschutz