Name, Model Of Lens Hood for 55mm f1.2 Lens?

Jeff Z. , Oct 04, 2008; 10:45 p.m.

Just received my Yashica Electro 35 GT back from a complete overhaul, and am looking hard for a suitable shade. I've heard that the original can possibly cause vignetting, and don't have it anyways, so I've been searching for something that might work.

A couple of times I've come across people mentioning that the hood for the 55mm f1.2 Oly lens will work well, but when searching by the Olympus lens in the appropriate sections of Adorama and B&H, they don't seem to have it. I was hoping that maybe if I had the correct name for the hood, I may have better luck in my search with other possible sources.

Just to clarify, the Yashica's filter thread is 55mm, and the hood needs to be virtually straight (and fairly short) in order not to obscure the rangefinder. I hope that this lens hood for the Olympus 50 1.2 lens is the one I'm looking for, and if so, that someone may know the model designation. Any other ideas for this would also be most welcome. All of the after market, rubber collapsible models that I've looked at flare out too much. Thanks!

Responses

Konrad Beck , Oct 06, 2008; 07:04 a.m.

The 55/1.2 Zuiko hood has been long discontinued. Item numbers were 108-231 (US) and 15-212 (Europe), though I don't think that this will help. This is a slide-on hood with a 57mm diameter, so you should check first your lens outer dimensions. You might want to check as many junk bins in photo shops before your attempt to get it via ebay. Recently, one sold for £97 (~$170); search for number 330270528098.

Jeff Z. , Oct 06, 2008; 11:14 a.m.

Konrad, Thanks very much for the good information! I'd like to take your suggestion, but don't live near any shops.

I'd like to find a simple workable solution in order to get the best performance possible from this inexpensive, but capable (from all accounts I've read) rangefinder. Spent a lot of time perusing the auction site for the original Yashica hood, but they seem to be scarce, and when offered they are part of larger kits. Moreover, I've heard from an experienced member here, that even using the original hood may darken the corners.

Any chance simply taking one or two filters in this Yashica's thread size (55mm), and removing the glass, and using one or both, might be a solution without incurring vignetting? I might go ahead and try it, but it would be great to hear from someone with your experience.

john robison , Oct 07, 2008; 01:42 p.m.

Jeff, do a search on E-bay for seller "heavystar". He sells a range of good quality, screw-in metal lens hoods. Look for the normal hood in 55mm. I have purchased 4 hoods from this seller and am very impressed with the quality and price.

Jeff Z. , Oct 07, 2008; 04:56 p.m.

John, I looked there and found many items by this person, but only two wide-angle hoods, no normals. Maybe I'll wait a few days and check again, or email him. Thanks for the good suggestion, though!

Any thoughts on my idea of using one or two glass-less 55mm filters for a hood? This 45mm fixed lens is somewhat recessed, so I'm thinking just one filter like this would be a fair amount of help, but am worried about vignetting.

john robison , Oct 08, 2008; 07:44 p.m.

Jeff, the normal hood should be fine on a 45mm lens. Even at f16 there should be no corner cut off. On my Olympus Pen F 38mm f1.8 lens (normal for the half frame format) I use a metal hood that would appear too long but have never had any cut off problems, Most hoods for normal lenses are too conservative and could be 1/2 inch longer with no vignetting. Your 45mm lens is not very much wider than a 50mm standard lens on a SLR. For my 20mm wide angle Pen lens I ordered a normal hood and just cut off half its length but I don't think such measures would be necessary for your 45mm lens on the Yashica. If you do decide to order from this vendor you'll be pleased with the product, the price/quality ratio is very high. Best of luck on your search.

Jeff Z. , Oct 10, 2008; 10:19 a.m.

Thanks John!

Dan B. , Oct 11, 2008; 07:38 p.m.

I can only second the comments about Heavystar. I've bought a number of aftermarket lens caps, hoods, etc. from this seller, and they've all worked properly (you'd be surprise how many sellers offer lens caps, body caps and so forth that DON'T fit). The prices and shipping costs are dirt cheap and shipping is prompt.

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