Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/10/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]A couple of things here--- the cutout on the new ASPH is angled in such a way, and the front lens elements sits just deep enough, that strong light sources overhead can cause flare in the way described. The other thing is that I have personally never noticed any difference in shots using a square or circular hood. As the hood causes no vignetting, and is the interior is lined with felt or some other reflection-preventing material, it's good enough for me. The problem I have with the 35/1.4 ASPH hood, as stated, was the cutout in the corner and the unacceptable (IMO) blockage of the viewfinder. I do agree on the point about using a hood at all times, but I think whether you are using one or not makes a heck of a bigger difference than what shape it is. My 0.02 cents! >My 35 f1.4 is the old aspherical not the latest ASPHbut no way I look >can mine possibly allow light through the hood's viewfinder aperture >in such a way as to impinge on the lens, so could not possibly allow >flare. How could the new one be different? I have always liked Leica >WA hoods because they make them the correct shape and properly >baffled to avoid any possibility of reflection. They are the only >company who make and supply a properly designed hood, all other >manufacturers produce circular hoods, which simply can not be >optimum, or a cutaway corner circular hood which is better but really >only cheaper to make than a proper one. Most makers also charge >extra for their hoods. One of the main reason for the quality of >Leica images is their rejection of stray light IMO. The first thing >I learned as a teenager starting in photography was NEVER use a lens >without a hood. I still do not. >As an aside one of the few shortcomings of the Contax G2, which I >bought as a p&s for flash and end up only using for about 2 films per >year, is that the 21mm can not be used with a hood atall because it >would block off the "rangefinder" windows. Sadly therefore the lens >most likely to need shading does not even have one available! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com