Collapsible lens hood - any good ?

[Amamba]

I wonder if anybody had any experience with collapsible rubber lens hood from hvstar:

http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=279

Can't beat the price, but is it long enough ? I plan on using it on 55-250.

Thanks !

[sevillafox]

I have something similar. It works nice for blocking light but offers no protection. But, they are compact and easy to tuck in your bag.

[Vetteography]

I have a couple of similar hoods that screw on and accept filters. They are handy to have around and cheap too! Ssevillafox is right that they don't offer a lot of protection, but a little is better than none.

[crn3371]

They will work, but a hard plastic one is much better. Aside from helping with flare, an equally important function of a lens hood is to act as a bumper for the front of your lens.

[Jimmer411]

I would definitely go for a hard plastic hood over one of those.

[sapearl]

Hard plastic all the way for maximum protection.

My daughter was married last weekend. The pro who is a friend of mine had placed his D3 (with hard plastic hood) on one of the padded DJ speakers. Through an accident of fate, the D3 fell three feet from the speaker to the hardwood dance floor, hood first. It shattered as it broke away from the lens, but saved everything else.

The camera and glass were fine. Our pictures were perfect also ;). - Stu

[ben_r_]

I use a B+W one from B&H for when I shot through glass like a window or aquarium. Much easier to work with than a hard plastic one and keeps the flash light out.

[rang]

I use them and love them. But I _don't_ set my gear down on anything. I shoot with a minimum of 2 bodies (sometimes 3 if I am out and about for a long time and want to shoot IR as well) and glass on speed slings which mount the bodies so the glass points _down_. I shoot fast and will swap back and forth (from one body slung over my chest to the other one slung across the other side) depending on the angle and shot and frame I am looking for.
I don't depend on hoods for protection just some glare stoppage. The hood you referenced has *metal* threads so filters don't get locked on like plastic threads of cheaper smaller rubber hoods. And you can quickly adjust CPl filters and ND gradients.
They go in and out of holster bags fast and take up less room.
And they are cheaper than the clone or Canon plastic hoods.
But most folks are hung up on hard hoods or use them for protection

Try one and see if you like it ...for what...~$8 bucks USD...it's a cheap try.

[Jon]

I use a B+W one from B&H for when I shot through glass like a window or aquarium. Much easier to work with than a hard plastic one and keeps the flash light out.Ditto, but that's the only time I don't use the rigid lenses.

[ben_r_]

Ditto, but that's the only time I don't use the rigid lenses.
Same here, but for the $15 it was for the B+W I dont mind that I dont use it much. It didnt cost much :)

[Alexajlex]

Have one that looks identical to the one you posted.

Works like a charm.

[Amamba]

Thanks, I actually found one on eBay that's same price (with shipping) so I ordered it.

[Amamba]

OK, an update.

The hood (Bower HR58 ) just arrived and I like it so far.

1) It's bigger than it looks on the photo - so it may actually be useful.
2) It works with a 67mm CPL on a 58-to-67mm step up ring - this is a rather pleasant surprise, I didn't think it would fit. The CPL is easy to get to and rotate.

[rang]

OK, an update.

The hood (Bower HR58 ) just arrived and I like it so far.

1) It's bigger than it looks on the photo - so it may actually be useful.
2) It works with a 67mm CPL on a 58-to-67mm step up ring - this is a rather pleasant surprise, I didn't think it would fit. The CPL is easy to get to and rotate.

I started with these...bought them as a "Dot Line" item.
Try one of the ones that you found and I referenced. You might like them even better and the cost differential is minimal even with shipping included.
Plus and this is a big plus...the threads are metal not plastic. The first time you get a filter jammed and I mean JAMMED on nice and tight onto the plastic threads of the one in your picture (unless they have changed the manufacturing to metal) ...you will want to switch. Plastic and metal don't mix.
:(

[carterk06]

This is the very same question I have as I am currently in the market for a lens hood. I ran across one reviewer who said that their collapsible lens hood smelled very chemically. Have you had that problem? Have you been liking it so far? Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[sapearl]

Hello carter and welcome to POTN - it's a pretty terrific place with some even better info to be had :D.

If something smells that strongly from chemical residue, I'd begin to wonder what was outgassing from it, and how that might react with your skin. I have a pretty high tolerance to most chemicals but many people with allergies are quite sensitive.

This is the very same question I have as I am currently in the market for a lens hood. I ran across one reviewer who said that their collapsible lens hood smelled very chemically. Have you had that problem? Have you been liking it so far? Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!