How to use the lens hood calculator?

Barresian · 05-03-2015, 06:31 AM

Hello!

On my reasearch to get proper hoods for my lenses I've found the lens hood calculator which looks awesome... but I don't know how to use it.

Could somebody help me?

I want to calculate the hood for my Pentax-M 28/2.8.

So, Film Format Height and Film Format Width should be 15,70 and 23,60 right? (APS-C Sensor). Focal length is trivial. Now Hood Front Inner Diameter and Lens Front Outer Diameter are confusing to me. What are these values and where can I get them? I guess hood front inner diameter would be the "filter" diameter of the hood (so if I find a hood that needs a 58mm cap, the value for Hood Front Inner Diameter would be 58mm?) and Lens Front Outer Diameter the diameter of the front element of the lens? If so, do you know a ressource to find this piece of information?

Thank you very much!

condor27596 · 05-03-2015, 08:15 AM

I do it the reverse way. Figure out the filter size then go to eBay and see what is currently being manufactured. There usually is not that many choices. Metal or rubber. I like the metal best.

MadMathMind · 05-03-2015, 09:36 AM

I think the filter thread is the outer diameter. The inner diameter is diameter of the non black part on the lens face. Sometimes the front element covers the entire filter diameter but other times it doesn't, like on old M and K lenses:

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On this lens, the inner diameter should be the open. I'm not 100% sure on this myself, though.

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-04-2015, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by Barresian

Hello!

On my reasearch to get proper hoods for my lenses I've found the lens hood calculator which looks awesome... but I don't know how to use it.

Could somebody help me?

I want to calculate the hood for my Pentax-M 28/2.8.

So, Film Format Height and Film Format Width should be 15,70 and 23,60 right? (APS-C Sensor). Focal length is trivial. Now Hood Front Inner Diameter and Lens Front Outer Diameter are confusing to me. What are these values and where can I get them? I guess hood front inner diameter would be the "filter" diameter of the hood (so if I find a hood that needs a 58mm cap, the value for Hood Front Inner Diameter would be 58mm?) and Lens Front Outer Diameter the diameter of the front element of the lens? If so, do you know a ressource to find this piece of information?

Thank you very much!

if you are using HoodCalc i can offer some help

For format, you are correct, although i generally roound it up to 16 x 24

Lens diameter is the diameter of the actual lens, inside the beauty ring. It is easy to calculate, especially for older primes, because diameter and maximum lens aperature are related. remember F Stop = focal length / diameter. It is the actual diameter of the front element.

Hood inner diameter is exactly that the diameter of the hood, (NOT the threads, which are usually smaller.

ALso, be careful on length. the length is the distance from the centerline of the front element, not the physical length of the hood.

Piotrek K · 05-04-2015, 05:18 AM

Another option is to look at the site which allows to print yourself the hood for APS-C cameras:

Digital lens hoods

Even if you do not want to make this type of hood I suppose some examples / general info could be useful). This siite covers both petal and rounded/straight hoods and has some PDF-files for particular lenses (including many zooms starting at 28 mm/28 mm lenses).

05-03-2015, 06:31 AM	#1
Barresian Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 33	How to use the lens hood calculator? Hello! On my reasearch to get proper hoods for my lenses I've found the lens hood calculator which looks awesome... but I don't know how to use it. Could somebody help me? I want to calculate the hood for my Pentax-M 28/2.8. So, Film Format Height and Film Format Width should be 15,70 and 23,60 right? (APS-C Sensor). Focal length is trivial. Now Hood Front Inner Diameter and Lens Front Outer Diameter are confusing to me. What are these values and where can I get them? I guess hood front inner diameter would be the "filter" diameter of the hood (so if I find a hood that needs a 58mm cap, the value for Hood Front Inner Diameter would be 58mm?) and Lens Front Outer Diameter the diameter of the front element of the lens? If so, do you know a ressource to find this piece of information? Thank you very much!

05-03-2015, 09:36 AM	#3
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	I think the filter thread is the outer diameter. The inner diameter is diameter of the non black part on the lens face. Sometimes the front element covers the entire filter diameter but other times it doesn't, like on old M and K lenses: On this lens, the inner diameter should be the open. I'm not 100% sure on this myself, though.

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05-03-2015, 08:15 AM	#2
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	I do it the reverse way. Figure out the filter size then go to eBay and see what is currently being manufactured. There usually is not that many choices. Metal or rubber. I like the metal best.

05-04-2015, 05:06 AM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by Barresian Hello! On my reasearch to get proper hoods for my lenses I've found the lens hood calculator which looks awesome... but I don't know how to use it. Could somebody help me? I want to calculate the hood for my Pentax-M 28/2.8. So, Film Format Height and Film Format Width should be 15,70 and 23,60 right? (APS-C Sensor). Focal length is trivial. Now Hood Front Inner Diameter and Lens Front Outer Diameter are confusing to me. What are these values and where can I get them? I guess hood front inner diameter would be the "filter" diameter of the hood (so if I find a hood that needs a 58mm cap, the value for Hood Front Inner Diameter would be 58mm?) and Lens Front Outer Diameter the diameter of the front element of the lens? If so, do you know a ressource to find this piece of information? Thank you very much! if you are using HoodCalc i can offer some help For format, you are correct, although i generally roound it up to 16 x 24 Lens diameter is the diameter of the actual lens, inside the beauty ring. It is easy to calculate, especially for older primes, because diameter and maximum lens aperature are related. remember F Stop = focal length / diameter. It is the actual diameter of the front element. Hood inner diameter is exactly that the diameter of the hood, (NOT the threads, which are usually smaller. ALso, be careful on length. the length is the distance from the centerline of the front element, not the physical length of the hood.

05-04-2015, 05:18 AM	#5
Piotrek K Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,384	Another option is to look at the site which allows to print yourself the hood for APS-C cameras: Digital lens hoods Even if you do not want to make this type of hood I suppose some examples / general info could be useful). This siite covers both petal and rounded/straight hoods and has some PDF-files for particular lenses (including many zooms starting at 28 mm/28 mm lenses).