Proper use of the Summilux-M 35mm ASPH hood

[rosuna]

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I have written this post because I had problems with the hood of the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens. Finally, I solved the problem, and it hadn't nothing to do with the hood itself, but with the instruction manual!

 

The instructions about the use of the hood in the small "Instructions" card included with the lens are wrong.

 

I will explain the problem here for all Summilux-M 35mm users:

 

1) The text in English is this (p. 11): "To fit the lens hood, place

the white dot on the lens hood against the white index dot on the

lens and push down". This is uncorrect. The correct procedure is this: "To

fit the lens hood, place the red vertical red arrow against the white

index dot on the lens, press the two catches and push down. When the

hood is placed, release the two catches and turn the hood's ring to

the right following the direction of the horizontal red arrow".

 

2) Then, the original text says: "To remove the lens hood, simply

press the two catches and pull off the hood the lens". This is

uncorrect as well. The correct instruction should be this: "To remove the

lens hood, turn the hood's ring to the left and then press the two

catches and pull off the hood from the lens."

 

I can read French, and the instructions are erroneous in that

language too. I don't know if the problem affects the German instructions or not.

 

If you follow the instructions as they are you will be

unable to put in or take out the hood. Even more, you can damage the

lens trying to manipulate the hood by putting a lot of pressure on it

in the wrong direction!

 

Now, manipulating the hood is easy, and I like the hood.

 

I have contacted Leica and they will fix this problem with the instructions. I have suggested them to put a note in the lens' webpage.

[James Mitchell]

This is a good example of why I don't often read instructions--especialy for lenses--unless I honestly can't fugure something out. I bought the 35/1.4 ASPH used and had no trouble putting on the hood intuitively. (I didn't have the instructions anyway.)

 

Different story with the M8 camera... Instructions and lots of information from the Digital Forum.

[wparsonsgisnet]

My 35 'lux asph hood doesn't have the catches, just the push and twist requirement.

 

As it happens, I have replaced the hood with one of the inexpensive, metal hoods available on eBay. These are sturdy and work well with my IR-cut filters in place.

 

I don't like the plastic hoods that Leica is now producing. It's an emotional thing; they don't exude the same sense of quality that the rest of the system does.

[lct]

..I don't like the plastic hoods that Leica is now producing. It's an emotional thing; they don't exude the same sense of quality that the rest of the system does.

Agree but you run the risk to damage the filter thread of your lenses in case of drop or bump with a screw in metal hood.

Plastic hoods are more protective IMHO.

[rob_x2004]

Plastic hoods are more protective IMHO.

 

Good point. They flex a bit and absorb the shock. Mine has gell coat marks and little bits of fibreglass from a bump. Wiped off, and I never gave it a second thought.

[rosuna]

A bit of flexibility is good here.