Voigtlander LH-9 Lens Hood for 35mm f/1.7 Ultron Lens (Silver)

Not As Desirable As Standard Hood

To be perfectly honest, I purchased this hood only because I wasn't aware that the lens already was supplied with a hood, since its inclusion was not even hinted at in the lens description. Often hoods, if desired, are required to be purchased separately, and I thought this was such a case, especially seeing it listed below among the accessories as custom made for 35mm f/1.7 Ultron Lens. To describe this lens hood requires comparison with what already accompanies the lens. This standard hood is unvented, and screws on to either the lens or a filter. It had no threads on its outer surface, so a filter can't be screwed into this hood. Lens protection is with a push-on end cap, with the mating surface broad and lined for a smooth application and removal and a quite secure fit. This vented hood is a clamps to the lens barrel with pressure applied by a screw pushing against a broad inner metal layer so as to prevent damage to the lens barrel. However, there is no end cap. To protect the lens optics, the small, plastic, spring-loaded pinch type lens cap that comes with the lens must be used. This is just clumsy to operate, not quick and sure, as is the push-on end cap for the standard hood. The only advantage I can see is perhaps some more vision with a true rangefinder type camera (Leica), but even that advantage seems meager. If vignetting might pose a problem with a full size sensor camera, securing the hood to the barrel behind the threaded end might prove beneficial. Since mine is a mirrorless camera, I see no purpose for this hood in my system. I gave it 3 stars because it seems to be well constructed. However, I will not be keeping it.