Any suggestions regarding a rigid lens hood for my new 50mm Summicron/M6 combo? I would like the physical protection such a hood affords.

-- Andrew Dash (adash@nyc.rr.com), April 12, 2002

Answers

you can get generic screw in lens hoods at places like B&H and Adorama.

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), April 12, 2002.

I bought the current 50 Elmar hood from B&H (39mm screw-in type). It was kind of pricey but it is beautifully made, diminutive, and does a better job than the slide-out hood on the current 50 'cron. I'm happy because the front lens element is very well protected, even though I don't use any filters or lens caps.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), April 12, 2002.

Just a retro thought, since I used it for years and liked the look--a series 6 adapter ring and a Kodak (the classiest of the series 6 hoods) hood to go with it? Should cost all of about $10, on Ebay.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

A bit pricey, but the older 12585 or 12585H Leica lens hoods work great on the Summicrons.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), April 12, 2002.

See also the very detailed topic on this in the FAQ at: nemeng.com/leica/ 012ba.shtml

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), April 13, 2002.

You may not like this reply since you said it's about your new 'cron, but... I had a new 'cron too and soon sold it for the "same" reason (well, maybe) because I don't like that hood either. I later looked for a latest-version penultimate 'cron and then finally found a mint one for a good price. And then there's that other advantage (at least for me and a few others) about its tab, too ;)

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), April 13, 2002.