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Archive 2022 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

jaredmizanin
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

Looking for a short lens hood for my 400/4 DO II. I have a Zemlin short lens hood for another lens I own, but I have mixed feelings about it. Before I purchase one for my 400/4 DO II I am curious what other lens hoods would fit besides the factory ET-120W II. If a previous lens hood would fit just as well (such as a hood for a the original 400 DO or one of the older 300/2.8's) I could possibly find one for cheap and cut it down myself. I don't want to chop up the hood that came with the lens, nor do I wish to purchase another ET-120W II at current asking prices. Thoughts?

Nov 17, 2022 at 08:45 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

Back when I owned both my EF 300 f/2.8 IS and my EF 400 f/4.0 DO, I believe the hood for the 300 would fit on the 400, and it was marginally shorter and smaller. Not sure if the Mark II variants of these lenses maintained the same hood compatibility.

When I used to carry the EF 200 f/2.0 IS around at indoor events, I fashioned a short homemade lens hood from one of these 5" drain couplers:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Advanced-Drainage-Systems-5-in-Singlewall-External-Snap-Coupler-0512AA/203299189

It was remarkably just about the rights size to fit snugly over the front of the lens. I cut it to about a 2" length, and fixed it to the lens with gaffer's tape, leaving it permanently mounted during my gigs. The idea was to protect the front element while minimizing size, rather than to provide optimal shading. I think these will also fit the older 300mm and 400mm lenses. (Again, not sure about Mark II.)

For outdoor use, you could cut it a bit longer I imagine.

Nov 18, 2022 at 07:30 AM

Zenon Char
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

What is the purpose of shorting it?

Nov 18, 2022 at 12:06 PM

RobAmy
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

Zenon Char wrote:
What is the purpose of shorting it?

For me is was just making the overall length shorter. I used the OEM hood and cut it down. I sold my DO II but still have the hood I made and use it on my 200-400mm. I use short hoods on all my large glass, so much easier in the field. I do not gain anything else other than a shorter length, maybe a little less wind drag and a tiny bit of weight savings but not enough for that alone.

Here is same setup with the full and short hood.

Nov 18, 2022 at 01:07 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

RobAmy wrote:
Here is same setup with the full and short hood.

This is pretty cool, Rob. If you don't mind me asking, what method did you use to cut down the factory hood? And is that the same front rubber ring that you removed and then refixed?

Nov 18, 2022 at 08:07 PM

an_also
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

Would a shorter hood affect the contrast or glare than the normal hood?

Nov 18, 2022 at 10:13 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

an_also wrote:
Would a shorter hood affect the contrast or glare than the normal hood?

If shot at a more acute angle to the sun, then yes it will. There is less than optimal shading, depending on how short the hood is. It's a tradeoff for some additional handling benefit.

However, it is worth remembering that hoods for zoom lenses must be designed not to vignette at their shortest focal lengths, and therefore are never ideal at longer focal lengths. And we all seem to get by with those hoods just fine.

Nov 19, 2022 at 01:59 AM

RobAmy
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

garyvot wrote:
This is pretty cool, Rob. If you don't mind me asking, what method did you use to cut down the factory hood? And is that the same front rubber ring that you removed and then refixed?

Thanks, I used a handheld grinder with a metal blade. I taped both sides of the line I put on the hood. It cut very easy actually. The rubber ring is too large to reuse because the full hood has a larger lip for strength. I found a nice rubber on amazon to use. It does need to be cut so it is not one piece. The just use double sided tape on the OEM hoods. I one I use stays on without the tape but I use Lenscoat covers so actually the cover holds it in place. I really like the short hoods and never use the larger ones now.

As you already answered the shorter hoods really do not present any issues for the most part in field use. Canon made the short hoods so they agree that it works also. To me the short hoods have more benefits then negatives.

Nov 19, 2022 at 07:55 AM

Zenon Char
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

RobAmy wrote:
For me is was just making the overall length shorter. I used the OEM hood and cut it down. I sold my DO II but still have the hood I made and use it on my 200-400mm. I use short hoods on all my large glass, so much easier in the field. I do not gain anything else other than a shorter length, maybe a little less wind drag and a tiny bit of weight savings but not enough for that alone.

Here is same setup with the full and short hood.

Thanks. I was wondering if the OP was also interested in local transportation. I had that lens at one time and it was a pain taking the lens hood off and on. The length while shooting didn't bother me.

I picked up tool box for that. Then I used it for my 100-500 because it doesn't fully retract with the TC on.

Someone on another site alerted me to this. Luckily the logo is darker than in the picture so I didn't have to do anything to it.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01BDW1VHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nov 19, 2022 at 02:14 PM

J.K.T.
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

It should be relatively easy to design a hood that clips on the same groove that the original hood uses.

I have not made a hood, but I have made lens caps for both FDn 500mm L and EF 400mm DO II and those caps fit very well and won't come off by accident. The clips do protrude a bit outside the original outer diameter, though. For this you'd likely want to use some professional 3D printing service with other than extruded material. The caps cost around 60€ and the hood would likely cost somewhat more.

The caps could also be used to convert these into a tube lens for microscope objective, but that is a bit off from the topic.

Nov 19, 2022 at 03:41 PM

lighthound
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

jaredmizanin wrote:
I have a Zemlin short lens hood for another lens I own, but I have mixed feelings about it.

I've only heard good things about the Zemlin hoods so I'm curious as to why you have "mixed feelings" about it? Have you had issues of some kind? I've thought about purchasing a Zemlin short hood for my 500 f/4 II but keep procrastinating.

Nov 19, 2022 at 05:40 PM

jmckayak
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

I met a guy that had the 300 f2.8 who cut down a 2 liter soda bottle to use as a hood. It stayed on by friction alone but it would be easy to attach with gaffers tape. Wrap gaffers tape around the bottle to block light and make it more rigid. He didn't recommend standing the camera on end... Sounds stupid but you're only risking a couple of bucks.

Nov 20, 2022 at 08:24 PM

Dave_E
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

I bought a Zemlin short hood for both my EF 400 F4 DO II and my RF 600 F4 as well and have been really happy with the product. Solid fit, solid construction. I went to the shorter hood after advice from others on this site like Rob. I just received a new RF 400 F2.8 and plan to order a Zemlin short hood and his wonderful lens cap. I'm curious about your "mixed feeling " as well. I've been super happy with mine. The only apprehension I had over the short hoods was concern over lens flair, but has not been an issue.

Dave

Nov 20, 2022 at 08:40 PM

zemlin
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

jaredmizanin wrote:
I have a Zemlin short lens hood for another lens I own, but I have mixed feelings about it.

I'll add my name to the list of folks who would like some clarification on this statement.

Dec 04, 2022 at 09:16 PM

jaredmizanin
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

zemlin wrote:
I'll add my name to the list of folks who would like some clarification on this statement.

I stink at responding! So the lens hood works great with the 800L, but sometimes I feel like it requires more force to snap it into place than it should. I think I'm just not very strong is all. I partly believe the large diameter of the lens makes it difficult; I often handhold the 800 so I am not installing the hood on a tripod but rather I have one arm holding the beast and the other turning the lens hood into fixed position. Maybe the smaller 400 DO will be easier.

Currently planning to purchase the Zemlin hood plus lens cap combo (the lens cap on the 800 is FANTASTIC). I have a cheaper cap for my 400 now and I can't wait to replace it. As soon as I decide between the 1.97" or 3.71" options I am ordering. I might just spend the little extra to get the 2.85" length as that seems perfect for my needs.

Feb 07, 2023 at 06:17 PM

zemlin
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

jaredmizanin wrote:
So the lens hood works great with the 800L, but sometimes I feel like it requires more force to snap it into place than it should. I think I'm just not very strong is all. I partly believe the large diameter of the lens makes it difficult; I often handhold the 800 so I am not installing the hood on a tripod but rather I have one arm holding the beast and the other turning the lens hood into fixed position. Maybe the smaller 400 DO will be easier.

Currently planning to purchase the Zemlin hood plus lens cap combo...Show more →
I have backed down on the lock/unlock force on the large hoods - so a hood purchased today would be easier to work with than the one you have.

The small hoods have always been a lot easier to lock/unlock than the big hoods so you should have absolutely no issue with the 400 DO hood.

I looked up our past correspondence and I see I sent you a replacement ring after you had your lens serviced. I checked on the print job for that ring and it does not have the feature that reduces the lock/unlock force.

I would be happy to send another ring for the 800 with the reduced locking forces with your 400 DO hood order - just leave a note on the order to remind me to include that.

Feb 08, 2023 at 10:22 AM

ChrisHA
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

I just installed my first Zemlin short hood/cap on a 500/4 II for an upcoming safari to save some travel weight/space. The hood feels sturdy and isn’t difficult to remove using 2 hands. I’m a little nervous about lens flare but needed to save weight ounce by ounce due to my 1st shoulder injury

Feb 13, 2023 at 02:49 AM

Mike Jacks0n
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

On the question of why people don't like them:

Personally, I don't like the look of 3D printed hoods (layer lines). Don't get me wrong, I love 3D printing (got 2 printers) and they are uber useful, but what they produce aren't the most beautiful pieces. Everyone may be a little different as to the aesthetics, but that's my biggest problem with them.

I've been playing with the idea of creating a mold that I can do a hood in carbon fiber and closely follow the clamping method of the stock pieces. I've made a couple of 3D printed mock ups that work OK (not ideal), but I'm not a big fan of small hoods so there isn't a big motivation to clean up the mock ups and fix the issues.

@zemlin, have you looked in to doing them in carbon?

Feb 14, 2023 at 01:57 PM

zemlin
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

Mike Jacks0n wrote:
@zemlin@, have you looked in to doing them in carbon?

Not looking to complicate the process. Demand for my products outpaces my manufacturing capacity as it is. I currently offer around 150 different hood designs. Some of them are big sellers. Some I've only sold a couple. Some customers want something unique. Additive manufacturing allows me to meet all those needs with no tooling cost penalty, and clearly the 'look' of 3D printed parts is not an issue for my customers. I put a lot of effort into fine tuning my process to ensure the best looking parts I'm able to deliver.

When I'm hustling around a race track looking for images, the appearance of my lens hood has never been a concern. Having one that I can set down in the rocks or lean on a concrete track wall, and know it's not going to fall off the lens and onto the track are the concerns for me. Jam it through the ragged wire of a photo hole in the fence .... I keep the pretty hood at home in the case so when I sell my lens it's in good shape.

I don't offer custom finishing or colors because doing quality job would take a lot of time and facilities I don't have - I wouldn't be able to keep the cost down or keep up with demand.

I hope to have a new machine online by the end of this month which will almost double my manufacturing capacity. I'm not sure what the net impact will be on my throughput as there's a fair amount of hand work that goes in to the final assembly and fitting of each product.

Feb 15, 2023 at 08:05 AM

goalerjones
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Canon 400mm f4 DO II short lens hood?

I just got/installed my 300 L lens hood from Zemlin. I can attest to the ease of lock/unlock, although at first I was waiting for a "click" to ensure its fit, but after seeing the lowered pressure requirement statement, it makes more sense now. As for style, no issues. It's what I wanted, good for my purposes, and the busted locking mechanism of the OEM hood is no longer a problem for me.

Feb 16, 2023 at 02:16 AM

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