I'm almost ashamed to ask this, but has anyone found any affordable lens hoods for M series Leicas? I use an M3 and M2 with 35 and 50 'Crons and choke at the idea of paying $50-$100 for a bloody lens hood!!!!! Any sugesstions out there? I'm tired of using my hat.

-- Ben Hughes (ben@hughesbros.com), February 15, 2002

Answers

Ben, Black filter rings work well. Buy a 39-46mm step up ring and then find a fistful of old 46mm filters, remove the glass, and stack 'em. One can usually find old filters at camera shows for real cheap.

-- Henry Chu (heninden@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

Check out Cameraquest. Steven Gandy has some hoods to fit Leica 39mm wide and normal lenses at a reasonable price. They are from Cosina(I think) and they look nice.

-- James Gumm (jim.gumm@okdhs.org), February 15, 2002.

Try the Heliopan metal shades. I have a 39mm TALL and a 48mm Tall and they work very well. I ordered a 39mm regular and a 43mm regular as well.

-- Tony Oresteen (aoresteen@lsqgroup.com), February 15, 2002.

B&H sells BW rubber collapsible hoods in the 39mm size that work very well. Cheers!

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002.

Ben,

I am not a shill for Leica, but after spending the money for the cameras and two lenses, I would think that the acquisition of a hood would just be accepted as a one time expenditure that will make your gear more functional.

The nice 12585 (metal) or 12538 (plastic) round hoods for the 50mm Summicron are very well designed, and have minimal finder blackout because of the cut-outs that allow you to see all but a thin arch in the corner. Additionally, I have used this same hood on my 35mm Summicron for a while now, even though I have the correct square hood, and I have never seen any vignetting. If you buy just one of these, it will serve you well. Unless lost, this will last as long as you have the gear... it is really a one-time expense.

Proper hoods have proven themselves to me for both optical performance as well as physical protection. This is just my opinion, but I'd look elsewhere to economize.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), February 15, 2002.

The aftermarket ones I saw blocked the finder more than the one I have made by leica. Pick one up used somewhere--Jim Kuehl at 515-225- 0110 sometimes has them with a few light scuffs for a good price.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), February 15, 2002.

Try to find a Hoya 39mm round metal hood with cut-outs. Nice for 50mm Summicron F2.

-- Jean-Luc Lemieux (jlemieuxgt@globetrotter.net), April 18, 2002.

Ben. The 12585 hood is a nicely made all metal lenshood (about $ 75) suitable for both 50/2.0 and 35/2.0 Summicrons, so you only need to buy one. This is my recommendation, and if you ever need to sell it, you can recover about what you paid. Unlike filter rings which not only are poor lenshoods but are pretty much worthless in terms of resale value.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), April 18, 2002.