Lens Hoods

Nikkor 20mmf2.8 AIS and the obnoxious HK-14

Nikkor 28-50mm f3.5 AIS And the rare HK-12

I use Nikkor AIS lens with my D780, F3, FE2 and FG. I used to think it was cool to have a lens flare or a ghost in my images, I used to lean on that and hammer it if I saw it happening. I used to create it as a part of some of my images. Now, I don't want any un-wanted light, ghosts or flares. I use the matching hood for each one of my Nikkor lens. 

My Nikkor lenses are typically 30 to 40 years old and the lens hoods are considered an accessory, some are often difficult to find and are not cheap. The pursuit for the Nikkor 28-50mm f3.5 AIS hood took months. It was a known rarity as Nikon did not make a lot of that lens and fewer hoods were available. I finally acquired a mint one for $25! I’m pretty sure the guy who priced it didn’t know the rarity of it.

Anyway…

I think the coolest hoods are the HR series, a sort of folding or telescoping rubber lens hood that kind of acts like a bumper. I’m getting better about using them. The problem is, I don’t keep them attached in my bag and I get excited to take pictures and often forget to attach before use. I had to write down which hood goes to which lens as I carry so many lenses and the hoods are separate in a bag.

I’m getting better about it.

I have 19 lenses now and if there isn’t a built in hood, I’ve got a separate dedicated hood for each lens.

There you go, my pursuit of the lens hoods.

The HR-1 rubber collapsible hood, serves also as a bumper.

Painting my lens hoods is something I have decided to do. 

I like a little personalization. It’s relaxing to do and in the field it keeps me thinking of home, at home it reminds me of taking pictures in the field. You are not supposed to do this. But I do. I like it.

This is my favorite lens or one of my favorites. I chose a third meadow on the Little Colorado at Mt.Baldy thought. This is one of my favorite areas to fly fish. The fish are small and it’s not the best place for catching but it is sure one of the best places to go fishing.

 

Quite some time ago, I learned how to apply Japanese philosophy to my Japanese camera kit. It has helped me in many decisions. I have found peace in taking care of my equipment. Wabi Sabi and now my first faux attempt at the aesthetic in Kintsugi.

I use the lens hood for each lens in my kit. If I am outside, almost 100% of the time, a lens hood is on my lens. Inside, I do not use them unless they are small and unobtrusive or rubber and I can fold it back.

Wabi Sabi is a Japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection. No, I will not embrace broken equipment. But a scratch? A marred finish? Brassing or paint rubbed off and the brass showing through is honest wear and is embraced as earned.

The HN-1 I had in my spare parts bin. I recently obtained the lens for it and I tapped out the dents, shaped it to round and painted the scratches in gold to mimic the Kintsugi technique.

It is fun and I do it for me.

I don’t care what you think, that is none of my business.

But I do care what I think and I’m having fun with my camera and lenses.

  

Often I’m sitting up on a rock having climbed to get there to an advantage point and my lens hood brings me back to the kitchen where I am painting. When I’m painting I am thinking of sitting, resting on a rock high up on a slope.

The circle completed.

…and I return to live in the moment.

This hood goes to my 80-400mm lens. It’s for searching and bringing in close what I may not be able to get to. A favorite that I use on my rock art hunts.

I decided to give it the Martha’s Butte beauty treatment.

 

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Resources

Nikon Lens Hood Compilation and Specifications

From: The Complete Nikon System by Peter Braczko

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