Heads Up! Olympus Lens Hoods

[pshinkaw]

This guy has three original Olympus RC EC ECR lens hoods up for auction. Periodically someone asks for one of these, and here they are.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=78999&item=7502265258&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

-Paul

[Roman]

I got two of those recently from a Belgian seller - what I've been wondering about: what about those cutouts on the rim? At least in use with a 35RC they don't make any sense...

Roman

[jan normandale]

Hi Roman,

like you I wonder about the hood configurations, I have always had pet theories about the various cuts in lens hoods, none ever really valid. If you ever get a reply that has the answer please forward me a copy.

cheers, Jan

[pshinkaw]

The lens hood reverses and stores over the lens barrel. The little screw clamp holds it on. The cut-outs allow the hood to fit over the little protruding tabs on the barrel. I think they are for film speed settings and flash GN settings. I can't remember for sure since it's been over 18 years since I've owned an RC.

-Paul

[Roman]

Paul,
that would have been to obvious - unfortunately, the cut-outs don't correspond to anything sticking out of the lens or body on a 35 RC, that's why I was wondering in the fuirst place...

Roman

[pshinkaw]

Roman:

My memory could be fading, but I seem to remember quite distinctly that my lenshood fit over one of the tabs on my 35RC. The other, larger cut-out may have been simply to allow clearance in the corner of the viewfinder.

I also had an Olympus RC zippered case, and both the lenshood and camera fit inside of the case if it was reversed. I travelled a lot more in those days and I recall how convenient that particular package was.

Of course I could be having false memories.

-Paul

[Roman]

Hmm, unless there were different versions, your memory must really be tricking you... ;)
I have my 35RC & hood in front of me - the only tab on the lens is that for setting GN numbers for flash mode, and neither of the slots is deep enough to make the lens hood fit reverse-mounted (maybe if I had the original lens-cap - which I don't - and mounted the hood on that instead of the lens, it might work...). Also, the hood barely intrudes into the framelines of the finder, so the extra few mm of the cutout aren't necessary there, either.
But the box of the hood says it's also for the 35 ED, EC-2 and ECR, maybe the cut-outs are intended for those...

Roman

[pshinkaw]

Thanks Roman. That jogged my memory. When the 35RC has a filter mounted (it's the 43.5mm isn't it?) the extra length is just right for the hood to grip in reversed position with the GN tab in the small slot. I think the original plastic lens cap also would grip the excess filter ring protruding beyond the reversed hood weel enough to keep itself from falling of as it was placed in the zippered pouch. It never fitted in reverse unless the filter was mounted.

The big cut-out was superfluous as far as the 35RC was concerned. I gave one to my brother to use on his 35ERC, and it didn't seem to have any function there either.

Nonetheless, if anyone has a compelling need to outfit their 35RC with original equipment, here it is.

-Paul