[egghead.boy]

Hello everyone!

I am fairly new to film photography and have a Pentax MX camera that I use with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/2 lens. I have wanted to buy a proper hood that would fit my lens; however, I am not sure if any 49mm hood would be adequate, or if I should get one that has specific fittings. I know that wide-angle lenses require different hoods, such as the tulip-shaped ones, but besides that, I am a bit lost on what would be the proper lens hood for my type of manual lens. BH has so many options, and I've liked some of their hoods such as these:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11150-REG/B_W_65069598_49mm_Screw_In_...981&
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079783-REG/sensei_lhm_49_pro_49mm_al...981&
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/41350-REG/Pentax_34260_49mm_Round_Rub...981& (unsure of this one due to price and due to marketing for automatic lenses)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079783-REG/sensei_lhm_49_pro_49mm_al...981& (this one impressed me because of its collapsible nature!)

Any recommendations would be useful! I am traveling to California in a few weeks, so I am also thinking of ordering a 49mm Hoya NXT Plus UV Filter for protection against sand, dirt, etc.

Thanks!

[stevebrot]

I use this style. Note that the top is threaded and will accommodate a 58mm pinch-type cap.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079783-REG/sensei_lhm_49_pro_49mm_al...ens.html?SID=f

Steve

[egghead.boy]

Hello everyone!

I am fairly new to film photography and have a Pentax MX camera that I use with an SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/2 lens. I have wanted to buy a proper hood that would fit my lens; however, I am not sure if any 49mm hood would be adequate, or if I should get one that has specific fittings. I know that wide-angle lenses require different hoods, such as the tulip-shaped ones, but besides that, I am a bit lost on what would be the proper lens hood for my type of manual lens. BH has so many options, and I've liked some of their hoods such as these:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11150-REG/B_W_65069598_49mm_Screw_In_...981&
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079783-REG/sensei_lhm_49_pro_49mm_al...981&
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/41350-REG/Pentax_34260_49mm_Round_Rub...981& (unsure of this one due to price and due to marketing for automatic lenses)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079783-REG/sensei_lhm_49_pro_49mm_al...981& (this one impressed me because of its collapsible nature!)

Any recommendations would be useful! I am traveling to California in a few weeks, so I am also thinking of ordering a 49mm Hoya NXT Plus UV Filter for protection against sand, dirt, etc.

Thanks!

I wanted to note that the last link was an accident! here is the actual link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1388611-REG/sensei_lhr2_t49_49mm_3_in...981&

[ramseybuckeye]

They will all work, I also prefer the metal ones as you can leave them on and put a lens cap on the filter, some will come that way. The metal is a little more protective also.

[robgski]

As an alternative, I use silicon lens caps and hoods made by Kuvrd

[bdery]

I think essentially any hood with the right thread and made for the right focal length will do.

I would recommend getting a rubber collapsing one, easierr to handle.

[ChristianRock]

I know you said you wanted a hood, but for not much more money than some hoods (about 30 dollars) you could upgrade your lens to the SMC-M 50mm f/1.7 lens and your pictures will already have more contrast and better colors, especially when used at wide apertures.

For my SMC-M 50mm f/1.7 I use hoods similar to the one linked by Steve in post #2. They look good, too (IMHO). On wider lenses (like my 24m, 28mm and even 35mm lenses) I use generic plastic petal hoods. They don't feel as nice as the metal hoods but they do their job, I think.

[egghead.boy]

They will all work, I also prefer the metal ones as you can leave them on and put a lens cap on the filter, some will come that way. The metal is a little more protective also.

I see! yes I've heard that the metal ones were much sturdier in protecting the lens; I will keep this in thought! thank you for responding

[egghead.boy]

I think essentially any hood with the right thread and made for the right focal length will do.

I would recommend getting a rubber collapsing one, easierr to handle.

I like their ease of handle and use too!

[egghead.boy]

I know you said you wanted a hood, but for not much more money than some hoods (about 30 dollars) you could upgrade your lens to the SMC-M 50mm f/1.7 lens and your pictures will already have more contrast and better colors, especially when used at wide apertures.

For my SMC-M 50mm f/1.7 I use hoods similar to the one linked by Steve in post #2. They look good, too (IMHO). On wider lenses (like my 24m, 28mm and even 35mm lenses) I use generic plastic petal hoods. They don't feel as nice as the metal hoods but they do their job, I think.

don't give me any more shopping ideas!!! but in all seriousness, yes I am quite fascinated by the smc-m 50 mm f/1.7! I've heard that it is a very superb lens to work with, and I am considering upgrading my lens in the near future to the f/1.7. I appreciate the recommendation for the lens and the hood!

[egghead.boy]

As an alternative, I use silicon lens caps and hoods made by Kuvrd

these look neat! thank you for linking them

[robgski]

These look neat! thank you for linking them

You are welcome. I also like them because they fit over filters or other lens attachments that prohibit the use of the lens's original cap.
Additonally, I have a few FE lenses without caps, and these covers fit over the bulbous lens and add some protection.

[Bbsteinle]

I’ve recently picked up Olympus rubber hoods for my Pentax M 28mm, 50mm, and 100mm lenses. Easy to find on the Bay and inexpensive. 28mm and 100mm hoods are 49mm screw on; 50mm (also for 35mm lenses) is push on with a set screw.

Basil

[whojammyflip]

I just picked up an Ihagee square hood. Its a thing of beauty.

[tonyzoc]

it's the collector in me... but I usually try to find the OEM hood made for the lens. It I can't find one or the price is too high I usually search the hood part number and find non-OEM versions of the hood. In the case of the 50/2 M I'd consider the 50/1.4 or 1.7 hood... as long as they are 49mm they'll fit. There is no benefit from using a Pentax hood, it just something I like to do.