Is the lens hood really needed?

[hunz]

Any experiences showing flare without one?

Based on my Leica 28/2.8 ASPH is is almost flare proof, so no hood is needed, maybe just for protection.

Also, can a UV filter/polariser be attached to the adapter ring without any issues? i read that the lens front element moves and has the potential to hit any filter place in front of it.

Any feedback from users/owners appreciated :)

[Jamie Pillers]

The way I understand it, Fuji needed to go with an adapter so that filters WOULD NOT interfere with the lens movement. I'm still waiting for mine, so I can't confirm this but I did read another owner's description of this purpose of the adapter.

[DavidX]

Yes, the adapter makes the lens a bit thicker and hence the whole camera less compact. Without it though, the lens would hit a filter on close focusssing.
I have the adapter and a filter and together they add 1cm.
Personally, I think this is OK as I would rather not use the cap and use the filter for protection. They are expensive, but beautifully made.
As for whether the hood is needed - I've not run tests, but if you want to make your X100 look even more like an M the hood is a must.

[hunz]

thanks guys. any particular UV filter that works best?

how about a slim line B&W to keep it as compact as possible. also do i need to be aware of filter thread anomalies.

so the lens front element doesn't hit with adapter + filter on?

[gekopaca]

These accessories are outrageously expensive!

Fortunately, we start to find on the bay third-party accessories:

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Fujifilm-X100-49mm-Adapter-Ring-UV-Filter-Lens-Hood-NEW-/230622091532?pt=US_Camera_Camcorder_Accessory_Bund les&hash=item35b225d90c

The hood doesn't look as the branded one, but the seller says that he will bring out more bundles with different lens hoods in the next few months.

[hunz]

i wonder what the dimensions of this 3rd party hood is, and if its more compact than fuji's

[Pickett Wilson]

Looks like the ebay hood would block a chunk of the OVF.

[btgc]

I hope that wide cone does more than only protecting lens rim.

[oftheherd]

Can't tell you a thing about the x-100 in particular. But I have had M-42 Fujinon lenses for about 35 years or so. They handle flare very well. I saw a shot right after getting my 28mm that would be nice with flare, and put it on. Shooting straight into the sun, no flare. Sort of disappointing at the time. :p

[jsrockit]

Yes, the Fuji's lens will flare. That said, I don't use the hood.

[intheviewfinder]

The thread on the lens is 49mm you can rig an adapter to allow you to put on a filter that won't interfere with the macro or vignette but I'm finding ghosting problems even with a B&W.

I've decided to forgo the filter an use a hood for some protection. I had an old 49mm vented Leica hood which I mounted to a 49mm/52mm step-up. It blocks the OVF similarly as the Fuji setup but cost me a heckava lot less. Works like a champ.

--Rich

[keytarjunkie]

On a camera like the fuji, and also on a Leica M lens, I think I would always use the hood. If the lens gets scratched or damaged, you're out an entire camera. For me the hood is far more important in protecting the lens than actually preventing flare.

[nksyoon]

Yes, it does flare sometimes when shooting against the light.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5679816722_06dba30139_b.jpg

[nksyoon]

My solution using the tips on the X100 Forum, using a 52-49 stepdown ring which has a 49 thread all the way through on the inside, and a vented 49 hood. Total cost <US$12.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5733332822_0569c4aed8_z.jpg

[nksyoon]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/5732787191_1d5f8d0d0a_z.jpg

Besides the flare reduction and physical protection, I also find it more comfortable holding the camera with my left hand having more "lens" to hold. The stepdown ring does not provide enough clearance for a filter though, the lens will hit the filter. I tried a B+W F-Pro filter.

This solution obstructs the viewfinder slightly more than the original Fuji hood which is shallower and has a smaller outside diameter.

[coelacanth]

My solution using the tips on the X100 Forum, using a 52-49 stepdown ring which has a 49 thread all the way through on the inside, and a vented 49 hood. Total cost <US$12.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5733332822_0569c4aed8_z.jpg

Nick, how's the size of the hood in the pic? When you put the camera on a table with the hood attached, does the camera sit on the table flat or the hood lift it up?

From pictures, looks like the Fuji one lets the camera sit flat. I'm hoping to find an alternative hood that's also small enough.

[nksyoon]

The hood tilts the camera up. You could try the untapered tubular hoods which are used for slr lenses, like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Hood-49mm-Metal-Standard-Lens-Hood-/390217300058?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adac3785a#ht_2394wt_832

[hunz]

Yes, it does flare sometimes when shooting against the light.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5679816722_06dba30139_b.jpg

was this shot with or without a hood on?

i was in malaysia last month - kuching, miri and kk. the food! :D

[hunz]

The thread on the lens is 49mm you can rig an adapter to allow you to put on a filter that won't interfere with the macro or vignette but I'm finding ghosting problems even with a B&W.

I've decided to forgo the filter an use a hood for some protection. I had an old 49mm vented Leica hood which I mounted to a 49mm/52mm step-up. It blocks the OVF similarly as the Fuji setup but cost me a heckava lot less. Works like a champ.

--Rich

which leica lens hood did you use?

On a camera like the fuji, and also on a Leica M lens, I think I would always use the hood. If the lens gets scratched or damaged, you're out an entire camera. For me the hood is far more important in protecting the lens than actually preventing flare.

+1

My solution using the tips on the X100 Forum, using a 52-49 stepdown ring which has a 49 thread all the way through on the inside, and a vented 49 hood. Total cost <US$12.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5733332822_0569c4aed8_z.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/5732787191_1d5f8d0d0a_z.jpg

Besides the flare reduction and physical protection, I also find it more comfortable holding the camera with my left hand having more "lens" to hold. The stepdown ring does not provide enough clearance for a filter though, the lens will hit the filter. I tried a B+W F-Pro filter.

This solution obstructs the viewfinder slightly more than the original Fuji hood which is shallower and has a smaller outside diameter.

functionality and compactness counts for a lot. seems like the fuji hood is still the best if you don't mind paying fuji prices!

[kermaier]

My solution using the tips on the X100 Forum, using a 52-49 stepdown ring which has a 49 thread all the way through on the inside, and a vented 49 hood. Total cost <US$12.


I'm not sure I get it. You're saying that the external/male thread on the lens barrel (to which the Fuji adapter would attach) is 52mm?

Ari

[nksyoon]

was this shot with or without a hood on?

i was in malaysia last month - kuching, miri and kk. the food! :D

Without a hood.

[nksyoon]

I'm not sure I get it. You're saying that the external/male thread on the lens barrel (to which the Fuji adapter would attach) is 52mm?

Ari

The lens has a male 49mm thread. The 52mm on the adapter is irrelevant, what you need is a ring with a 49mm female thread on both ends, the 52-49 is one way of achieving that. Another would be a female-female coupling ring like this:

http://www.camerafilters.com/detail.aspx?ID=2303

[nksyoon]

Another sample of flare without the hood.

[hunz]

Another sample of flare without the hood.

yeah, not too bad - actually adds to the photo imho

[Spyro]

I got an extreme flare from the x100, and it's definitely the kind that a hood would've prevented:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/1235430474_UcuHB-X2.jpg

Funny enough I didnt mind it though... YMMV of course.

[jsrockit]

On a camera like the fuji, and also on a Leica M lens, I think I would always use the hood. If the lens gets scratched or damaged, you're out an entire camera. For me the hood is far more important in protecting the lens than actually preventing flare.

A scratch on the lens doesn't make the camera useless... far from it. There was an article awhile back where someone was making photos with a lens in which the entire front element was smashed... and guess what, it still looked like a regular photograph.

[Spyro]

besides you can always have the front element replaced.

I love a scratched lens, it usually means 2 things:
a) half price
b) same photos

[hunz]

I got an extreme flare from the x100, and it's definitely the kind that a hood would've prevented:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/1235430474_UcuHB-X2.jpg

Funny enough I didnt mind it though... YMMV of course.

Yeah, adds character to this shot.

Looks like the hood is a necessity in these situations

[jsrockit]

Spyro...it totally adds to the photo.

[Spyro]

weird huh? like an umbrella made of sun...
anyway I've seen this lens flare a couple of times but it's never ugly or unexpected.

[jsrockit]

Spyro, I'd go as far to say that the flare made the image... without it, it could be boring. I haven't got mine to flair yet, but there hasn't been much sun lately here.

[kermaier]

The lens has a male 49mm thread. The 52mm on the adapter is irrelevant, what you need is a ring with a 49mm female thread on both ends, the 52-49 is one way of achieving that. Another would be a female-female coupling ring like this:

http://www.camerafilters.com/detail.aspx?ID=2303

Ah, thanks! So it sounds like the Fuji adapter is just a 49mm-female to 49mm-female coupler that serves primarily to put some space between the lens and a filter. (Plus hood mounting bayonet, of course.)

[hunz]

Yes, the adapter makes the lens a bit thicker and hence the whole camera less compact. Without it though, the lens would hit a filter on close focusssing.
I have the adapter and a filter and together they add 1cm.
Personally, I think this is OK as I would rather not use the cap and use the filter for protection. They are expensive, but beautifully made.
As for whether the hood is needed - I've not run tests, but if you want to make your X100 look even more like an M the hood is a must.

what type/brand filter did you get? is the filter on your's a female thread?

does anyone have this setup? : adapter + uv filter + hood

[intheviewfinder]

which leica lens hood did you use?

Missed this the first time around I took a look at the old hood and it's actually and old Tiffen. In any case it was a bit ratty so I replaced it with one of the cheapo Zykkor vented hoods from eBay.

I hope someone produces a rectangular version

--Rich