Matt Gettemeier
August 1st, 2003, 07:24 AM
This post is a little comedy and yet very serious. I need to figure out how to post pics... I'll find the thread explaining that and pop a pic on this thread if it gets any response.
The reason I'm offering a "review" of a lens hood is because I was torn on the issue of getting a matte box for my (new) dvx100. Clearly the matte box is the pro way to go, but here are my thoughts on the lens hood.
I ordered a Hoya 77mm folding lens hood from Big & Huge along with a 77mm lens cap and 72-77mm B+W stepping ring.
The rubber lens hood has metal threads and looks pretty nice on the cam. When folded back for wide angle shots it comes back and around the focus ring slightly... not even close to touching it, but in this position the lens hood looks like it might have come with the Panny as OEM.
The lens hood can be folded in a middle position which shades the lens in all but the very end of the wide angle lens setting, but it's a little tricky to get the hood to that position. It wants to be either folded all the way down or all the way out. When it's all the way down it gives the lens about the same light protection as the factory square thingy... maybe a little over 1/8" less depth.
In the all the way out (or telephoto) position the lens hood is quite deep and offers a lot of light protection. Even with the hood in this position you can be zoomed at about Z40 and there is still no vignetting (you don't see darkened corners). With the hood extended I should mention that it does look like an added item. The weird system Panny uses to attach the square hood remains exposed while the hood is simply screwed in... not a big deal, but noteworthy. In the medium and wide position of the hood that's all covered.
All in all I think it's pretty well worth the $20 (plus $20 for the step ring)... OBVIOUSLY I'm not comparing this to a matte box and OBVIOUSLY I'd rather have a matte box... and the french flag on the matte box is a HUGE plus in flare control BUT, if you're like me and buying this thing nearly tapped you out, but you don't care for the open square thingy... here's a cheap option that looks pretty good.
The reason I'm offering a "review" of a lens hood is because I was torn on the issue of getting a matte box for my (new) dvx100. Clearly the matte box is the pro way to go, but here are my thoughts on the lens hood.
I ordered a Hoya 77mm folding lens hood from Big & Huge along with a 77mm lens cap and 72-77mm B+W stepping ring.
The rubber lens hood has metal threads and looks pretty nice on the cam. When folded back for wide angle shots it comes back and around the focus ring slightly... not even close to touching it, but in this position the lens hood looks like it might have come with the Panny as OEM.
The lens hood can be folded in a middle position which shades the lens in all but the very end of the wide angle lens setting, but it's a little tricky to get the hood to that position. It wants to be either folded all the way down or all the way out. When it's all the way down it gives the lens about the same light protection as the factory square thingy... maybe a little over 1/8" less depth.
In the all the way out (or telephoto) position the lens hood is quite deep and offers a lot of light protection. Even with the hood in this position you can be zoomed at about Z40 and there is still no vignetting (you don't see darkened corners). With the hood extended I should mention that it does look like an added item. The weird system Panny uses to attach the square hood remains exposed while the hood is simply screwed in... not a big deal, but noteworthy. In the medium and wide position of the hood that's all covered.
All in all I think it's pretty well worth the $20 (plus $20 for the step ring)... OBVIOUSLY I'm not comparing this to a matte box and OBVIOUSLY I'd rather have a matte box... and the french flag on the matte box is a HUGE plus in flare control BUT, if you're like me and buying this thing nearly tapped you out, but you don't care for the open square thingy... here's a cheap option that looks pretty good.