New Lens in my Hood – Old and New Hoods for it.

Something odd happened last week. Apparently under the control of some internal process over which I have little conscious control (Previously undiagnosed GAS?), I now have a cute little Panasonic 20/1.7 lens.

I can think of logical reasons. Much as I love the zooms, and the E-M5s high ISO performance, I’ve been carrying a 50/1.4 around on most trips as a ‘just in case it’s really dark’ lens. But I’ve also discovered that 100mm eq. really isn’t ideal for many/most indoor, existing darkness shots.

But I still haven’t quite figured out what to do with it. That will await the right situations. In the meantime … Panny doesn’t make a hood for it, so I went looking.

OK, eat your hearts out,all you folks with generic, ersatz, faux Leica hoods on your µ4/3 lenses. Here’s the real thing, an original, early Olympus M/OM, chrome and black, metal hood.

Adapted using a 46-49 mm step-up ring and a 49 mm filter ring to give the hood something to clamp onto. Technical fit seems perfect, too. A finger approaching past the corner almost immediately is visible in the view, but there is no vignetting from the hood.

This chrome and metal hood was early enough that I suppose it should properly be used with an early, all black, slightly domed lens cap with serrated edges. But it looks much better with the later design.

Another retro look, but far less cool looking, is a folding, rubber hood. I imagine they go back to at least the late 60s. I have a 52 mm one, made in Korea, that Dad used on his Nikon 50/1.4. The rubber is getting a bit soft, but it still works. This is a new one from B&W, made in Japan, so it should hold up.

The advantages are all about practicality, not looks. The hood easily absorbs any bumps, deforming temporarily, and not passing the impact on to the lens. It also forms a nice,  small, protective donut around the lens when retracted.

And the existing lens hood fits onto it easily.