Well, now that the dust is (hopefully) clearing from RFf's server upgrade, I wanted to bring up a somewhat trivial but useful bit about Konica's 50mm f/2 M-Hexanon lens. Namely, the built-in, pull-out lens hood.
I've use the built-in hood since i got the lens, part of a Hexar RF "kit", about six years ago. Optical performance of the lens is stellar, and build quality is super-solid. My only issue has been with the hood. In terms of flare-prevention, I think it does its job quite well, but the Other Thing I value in rigid lens hoods–protection from immovable objects–isn't in play here, since the hood is retractable, with no locking mechanism. The problem is this: one Hexar body, with the 28mm f/2.8 M-Hex in place, can safely be stashed in my Domke 803 with little thought, since the screw-on hood tha came with the 28 is rigid and hell-for-tough...next to nothing of a menacing nature id going to get near that front element without a serious fight, or at least the sheer velocity and momentum of a Bradley. This means that this Hex is ready to go from the moment I reach into the bag to grab it. This hasn't been the case for my other Hex with the 50mm, which I've felt obliged to carry with the lens cap on, since it had no rigid hood to protect it in the same way. Until now.
Before
A few trips to the 'Bay told me that good. solid, 40.5mm thread RF hoods weren't exactly thick on the vine, and it took a little while before tracking one down (yeah, you can tell me you see 'em all the time there, but I don't quite
live on eBay). Goodness, it was
so well worth it.
After
Obviously, I can now drop Hex No. 2 into the bag, hoodless like No.1, and have few worries, especially regarding missed shots. Like I said, a teeny, tiny thing, but It Helps. (As in: Preserves Pristine Front Elements Twelve Ways, of something like that.)
- Barrett
Threaded Mode
