Q3 43 without lens hood?

[Tseg]

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I'll be taking my Q3 43 with me on a cruise in a couple of months.   I have a polarizer filter for outdoor shots, a mist filter for portraits, and a plain clear nano filter for protection where neither of the other 2 filters are called for.   It is a lot quicker to swap filters if I just have the protective lens ring screwed on vs. the screw on hood.   Other than protection, how much is IQ enhanced through the use of a hood on the Q3 43 lens?  Does anyone primarily use the Q3 43 without a hood?  If so, any performance observations?

[jaapv]

It reduces flare by light coming in at an angle and protects the front of the lens against impact. That is all.

[erl]

Using any lens without a lens hood is very risky. Why anyone would contemplate not using one leaves me astounded. The benefit of your lens hood is greater than your filters. 

[Tseg]

Then I guess I’ll have to buy an aftermarket hood that works with filters since Leica’s version is challenged in that regard… but cannot properly use polarizing filter with hood on.

Edited January 15 by Tseg

[erl]

That will be a wise move. You will definitely get an improvement in general contrast a lot of the time. The extra effort is worth it.

[goldgranada]

Here's a solution for using filters, fits perfectly with filters and allows Macro functions as well. Does not say "Leica" on the hood but works.

 

See here:https://haogefoto.com/products/haoge-metal-square-lens-hood-for-leica-q3-43-q3-43-camera-accessories-black-lh-lq43b

Amazon has it also for $45.99

[Tseg]

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Thanks… order placed.

[thenick512]

You should check out the PolarPro hood.   It gives you the ability to flip it down to get to your filter and adjust if you are using ND or polarizer.   I’m planning on picking one up when they release.

https://www.polarpro.com/products/leica-q3-accessories

[BradS]

On 1/14/2025 at 6:22 PM, erl said:

Using any lens without a lens hood is very risky. ... 

 

 "very risky" ?   How? Why? Please elaborate.

 

[erl]

3 hours ago, BradS said:

 

 "very risky" ?   How? Why? Please elaborate.

 

Prevention of lens flare, resulting in loss of overall contrast.

Try standing facing the sun, or any bright and powerful light source. Your first instinct is to use your hand to shade your eyes, or to otherwise prevent direct light source  from contacting your eyes.

Most 'standard' lens shades are only mildly effective, simply because they are not big enough. Most serious photography, stills and movies, employ a bellows style of lens shade that can be adjusted to exactly match the viewing angle of a given lens. Generally a bit clumsy but effective when properly adjusted. I used one for year on my Hasselblad kit. I sometimes regretted when not using it in favour of a simple fixed hood. Lens flare, when not wanted, which is most of the time, is mostly preventable by using a suitable lens hood.