Hood for Ef 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Is Usm

Hi folks,

I have used my newly purchased Ef 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Is Usm lens for the first time today on my EOS 350D. Compared to the lens that was bundled with the camera it is fantastic, well worth the cash.

I am concerned that I should be protecting it from the elements (I live in Wales, it rains a lot) so I'm thinking about a hood.
However, having just spent the money on the lens I'm not overly enthusiastic on spending nearly £20 more on a bit of plastic to get a canon hood.

Can anyone recommend an alternative from another (cheaper) manufacturer?


Cheers

You could save a little by getting one of the collapsible rubber hoods, but I'd recommend going with the Canon hood. The rigid hoods provide 2 uses, one being to reduce lens flare, the other is to act as kind of a bumper for the front of your lens. Something that a collapsible hood can't do.

I can't believe no other manufacturer has made a sturdy hood to fit. Or do they make them for other lenses, just the popular ones?

I have seen a canon hood for a 75-300mm lens for sales a lot cheaper, apparently (according to the seller) it won't fit the 70-300mm that I have.
Is that to do with it 'getting in the way' when at 70mm? Does 5mm make all that much difference?

Sorry if that's a stupid question.

Cheers

It won't fit around the circumference of the lens--I know, I ordered the wrong one (for the 75-300) and had to exchange it.

The numbers (ET-83A, for instance) refer to the diameter of the hood bayonet fitting. You won't be able to physically fit a lens hood with different bayonet diameter onto your lens. The hood for the 100-300 will fit, and with an APS-C shouldn't vignette, but I haven't tried this.

Unfortunately, only L lenses come with lens hood and their hoods are expensive. If you don't want to buy the stock one, a collapsable or a hard generic lens hood may work but you may get vingetting as a result of the hood getting in the way.

I have been looking around for a generic one but they nearly all say 'up to 200mm' on them so I'm not convinced. The last thing I want to do is save myself just £8 or £10 only to find it spoils my shots.

I did consider getting an L lens but I really wanted the IS. I'd heard good things about it and it suits my style of photography: rarely enough time to set up a tripod. No way I could afford an L with IS with at least 200mm.

Guess I could just ask Santa to give me a lens hood

I don't know if you have heard of B&H Photo in New York City. I just purchased the same lens in Sept. The salesman there I spoke to over the phone was very nice. He said about the price being a little ridiciulous for the Canon Hood. He suggested that I buy the "rubber" one for $5.00!!! That's what I did!! Hope this helps you out.

Well, if I see one in a shop for £5 then I'll probably get it as at least then it won't be too much hassle to take it back if it's wrong.
Cheers