I got some beautiful images printed this winter from my fall trip to India and Nepal. Still have a few more to do. During this winters work, I think I finally began to recognize flare when I saw it. It seems to be worse on hazy sunny days and I think that t-max is more prone to it than tri-x. At any rate the hat trick definately does not always work. I am therefore in the market for a lens hood. I have checked out some of the previous threads but am still not sure which direction to go. I have 90mm, 150mm and 300mm lenses. I would love to have one hood that took care of all three. I don't particulary want anything mechanical because of weight concerns. Any suggestions on a single light weight hood that will work for all three of my lenses? Right now I am using the Cokin filter system , but don't really have a problem changing if necessary. Thanks Paul

-- Paul Mongillo (pmongillo@thurston.com), May 06, 2001

Answers

I think the Lee shade and filter system would work just fine for you. I use it on 90mm to 450mm and couldn't be happier with it. As there are several Lee lens shade models, be sure to get the "wide angle" version where the 2 filter slots are made as part of the shade unit and not the foundation kit+shade model. Good Luck.

-- Steve Baggett (sbaggett@midsouth.rr.com), May 07, 2001.

What camera are you using?

-- neil poulsen (neil.fg@att.net), May 07, 2001.

I've never had any trouble with the archaic method of placing the darkslide (once you draw it) on the top of the front std. and draping the darkcloth over that (more or less out in front depending on length of lens, position of sun). (I try to find ways to mount filters behind the lens.) Just as a matter of common reasoning (search me re: any "science" etc.), I can't see how the most expensive compendium lens shade is better than this. Maybe somebody else on the thread knows better .... -jeff buckels (albuquerque)

-- Jeff Buckels (jeffbuck@swcp.com), May 07, 2001.

I use a Phillips 4X5.

-- Paul Mongillo (pmongillo@thurston.com), May 07, 2001.

Don't forget that Ansel Adams frequently used his hat as a lens shade. Sometimes the easiest answer is the best.

-- Jim McDonough (jmcdonough@prodigy.net), May 07, 2001.

Lee Filter system is the way to go.

-- Wil Hinds (YTb@aol.com), May 07, 2001.

I you use your hat as a lens hood/shad than what is protecting your head, face, ears and neck? Not a good practice, IMHO. Safety first big guy! ;-)

Mike

-- Mike Kravit (kravit@bellsouth.net), May 07, 2001.

Somebody mentions that AA used his hat. It occurred to me that, in every classic picture I've seen of AA or EW out in the wilds w/ their cameras, you never see a lens shade (as such). I'm sure they used hats, darkcloths, cards, whatever was handy. And this was in the no-coating and/or single-coating eras. You've seen the images. -jeff buckels

-- Jeff Buckels (jeffbuck@swcp.com), May 08, 2001.

I always just use the darkslide. After you pull the slide, just hold it so that it cast a shadow over the lens. Just be carful not to photograph part of the darkslide.

-- Mike Troxell (mtroxell@ix.netcom.com), May 08, 2001.

Paul, I go along with the darkslide-users, but have gone one step further and cut a piece of black mounting card, about 8 inches square, and use this to shade the lens. I position it until I see it cast a shadow over the front element and have never had it (yet) intrude into the frame. Regards Paul

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), May 08, 2001.

Here's a couple suggestions that I've used. One is black cinefoil, you can get it from Calumet and other sources. You can bend it or shape it any way you want, like its name implies, it is foil.

A nice shade system that I still have and use on all my lenses and equipment formats is a system that was marketed by Tiffen a few years ago. I don't know if it is still available from them but it was called the MCS system. The shades are rubber, available in telephoto, wide or normal versions, they are mounted to a thin metal ring. A adapter (like a step up ring with a flange) is screwed into the lens front just like a filter. The flange of the adapter has a plastic magnet material on it and the lens hood just sticks to it by the grip of the magnet surface. They also had gel filter holder that worked the same way and the components could be used together. It's a great system and I use it on all my gear. All you need are various standard step up rings to fit the adapter to all sorts of different lenses. I also use this system in combination with the Xenophen gel filter holder that I velcro onto the back of lens boards. It can be moved from board to board because of the quick velcro attachment. The beauty then is the gels are inside the camera and protected. The Tiffen shade can be used on the exterior at the same time. I use this system on 6x9, 4x5 and 8x10. same filters, shades, used for all gear. I can also use it on 35 except for the Xenophen.

-- John R ((nospam)combox@juno.com), February 17, 2002.