Is anybody using the Q without the lens hood?

[robgo2]

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These hood threads show up with some regularity. The facts are in, folks. Hoods serve to protect the front element of the lens, and they reduce flare, whether you notice it or not. The “bother” of using a hood is fairly trivial, so I cannot understand doing without one.

[HighlandK]

I agree and, personally, I think it enhances the appearance. But on the appearance thing there is plenty of scope to differ and this forum would be a much slimmer place bereft of appearance threads. 

[Leica Guy]

+1. I like using the hood for exactly the reasons stated. I also like that the front opening is rectangular. That’s more distinctive than a round one and form follows function.

[drdannn]

I love the looks of the hood, and what it does in so many ways. 

[Mark Lyka]

 

 

I am new to the Q, but not new to serious photography.   I tried the hood, but found it inconvenient for several reasons.

First, I have to put the retaining ring away and be sure not to lose it.

Second and most importantly, I found it impossible to reach inside the hood and turn my polarizing filter.   

 

And I didn't care for the lens cap, either.

 

So I ended up buying a 49mm pinch cap and an Op/Tech Hood Hat mini, and these serve me very well.  The Hood Hat fits perfectly and covers the entire lens all the way to the body of the camera, so when I walk around I feel that the lens is adequately protected.

 

I haven't experienced much lens flare when operating this way.   I did take one photo very intentionally into the sun at f/16 (to create a star shape from the sun) and got a bit of flare, but very minimal and not objectionable, considering that I was pointed directly at the sun.

 

As I am new to the forum, I'm not sure if I'm attaching photos (from my gallery) correctly to this post. Please advise if you can't see them.

 

Your pictures posted fine.  What size Op Tech hat is that?

[caigy]

Mark-

The size is "mini" and it's available on Amazon (currently priced at $7.50, although I paid $6.99 a few months ago).

To all-

I recognize that a number of people have responded to my original posting with a preference for using the supplied lens shade.  I respect those views, and I admit that it would provide more protection against bumps.   But I still don't see how you can use a polarizing filter with the shade installed, and that is the main driver to my not using it.  Perhaps I should use it when I'm not using the polarizer, but so far I'm happy without it and I have not experienced any cases of excessive flare.

 

By the way, the OpTech hood hat mini also fits nicely over the lens with the lens shade installed.

[bags27]

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Would hate to give up on the way cool Leica lens hood. And, I know it's not easy to get on and off for some, but mine wasn't one of those.

 

I have a B+W 49 XS-Pro Clear 007M and my polarizer is a B+W Top-Pol

 

If I stack the filters with the hood on, I can't rotate the polarizer

but if I take off the 007 first, which is best practice anyway, there's no problem rotating the polarizer with the hood back on.

 

Again, because my particular hood comes off and on easily, this isn't a problem for me.

[Leica Guy]

Any hood should go on and off easy if one applies just a little oil from the side of ones nose to the hood threads. It makes a huge difference over the threads being dry.

[david strachan]

Any hood should go on and off easy if one applies just a little oil from the side of ones nose to the hood threads. It makes a huge difference over the threads being dry.

Famous nose-oil used also to fill neg scratches during printing.

 

[SonomaBear]

Sadly, none are still around. I haven't been to Seawood in Marin yet. The SF Leica folks ere well stocked and know their stuff.

I went to Seawood and loved the old time vibe. They have Leica film bodies and a collection of vintage lenses. No digital bodies.

 

 

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