"T P" <tp@nospam.com> wrote in message news:pdqfhvk9vmh1gr1mkl58ohdvpopiusabtu@4ax.com...

> "David Ruether" <rpn1@no-junk.cornell.edu> wrote:

> >You would not want it - it would be too heavy (and would increase wear

> >on the focus mechanism), and if hit, would survive at the expense of the

> >lens... Nikon makes MANY aluminum shades (both screw in and snap-on,

> >and several work well with the 50mm f1.4).

[...]

> The snap-on hoods (HS prefix) offer little protection against damage.

>

> When you drop a lens with an HS hood fitted, the hood falls off on the

> first bounce and the second bounce trashes the lens. Instead, use a

> screw-in hood (HN prefix) which will stay with the lens and help

> prevent damage from the second and subsequent bounces.

>

> Needless to say, this posting is made on the basis of experience!

Ah, yes....;-(

The arguement could be made, though, that if the camera is swung,

hitting the shade, or the shade is grabbed (happened to me once - glad

it wasn't an AF lens with the screw-in shade...;-), less damage is likely

with the shade less firmly-attached...;-) Perhaps we should design a

screw-in shade with an outer rim that snapps on/off (with an outer

folding rubber shade section, for the advantages of all...;-)

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com

Hey, take a gander at www.visitithaca.com, too...!