New 55-300!

MrEarle · 07-18-2018, 09:10 PM

I am excitedly fondling my newly arrived HD DA 55-300mm lens from B&H. They pushed me over by sending me a $14 gift card which made the price $345, no tax or shipping, take that Amazon ! So, help my bewilderment, the hood included has a small removable trap door...why? Side note: in my search for info, I discovered the the Japanese Ricoh-Pentax website has FAR more information than the US site, lots more accessories and software downloads...anyway here is a pic of the PH-RBK58 hood.

Attached Images

**demondata** · 07-18-2018, 09:25 PM - **2 Likes**

You remove the "trap door", as you name it, to rotate filter rings on, e.g., a circular polarizer, without having to remove the hood or poke your fingers through the front of the hood to rotate it. Very useful when needed, but easily lost once removed, so make sure to place it in your camera bag or a pocket on your clothing.

MrEarle · 07-18-2018, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by demondata

You remove the "trap door", as you name it, to rotate filter rings on, e.g., a circular polarizer, without having to remove the hood or poke your fingers through the front of the hood to rotate it. Very useful when needed, but easily lost once removed, so make sure to place it in your camera bag or a pocket on your clothing.

Of course! Thanks!

Robot camera · 07-19-2018, 12:17 AM - **2 Likes**

I nearly lost the trap door on a trip out when I first had a digital Pentax; I dropped it in the grass. It's not easy to spot because it's matt black, so I put a fluorescent orange stick on spot on both sides.

**Larrymc** · 07-19-2018, 05:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MrEarle

I am excitedly fondling my newly arrived HD DA 55-300mm lens from B&H. They pushed me over by sending me a $14 gift card which made the price $345, no tax or shipping, take that Amazon ! So, help my bewilderment, the hood included has a small removable trap door...why? Side note: in my search for info, I discovered the the Japanese Ricoh-Pentax website has FAR more information than the US site, lots more accessories and software downloads...anyway here is a pic of the PH-RBK58 hood.

Looks like you got a great buy especially if its the Pentax Hd Da 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Ed Plm Wr Re. Its a great lens and focuses quite quickly and accurately as well as quitely. I think you will be quite pleased with your bargain.

Larry

**UncleVanya** · 07-19-2018, 05:59 AM

Has anyone ever tried a stick on lens cap keeper/leash a hood door?

**aslyfox** · 07-19-2018, 06:03 AM - **1 Like**

remember

gaffer tape can substitute when you lose that part

and chances are that you will lose it

remember Murphy's Law and Finnigan's corollary

[ any thing that can go wrong will go wrong, Murphy was an optimist ]

**Mikesul** · 07-19-2018, 09:50 AM - **1 Like**

I don't think I have ever lost one of those but, of course, I rarely use them. This is ironic considering how excited I was when I realized how handy they would be.

**rogerstg** · 07-19-2018, 09:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mikesul

I don't think I have ever lost one of those but, of course, I rarely use them. This is ironic considering how excited I was when I realized how handy they would be.

Same here. Since the hood is so quick to put on or off, I just remove the hood, set the polarizer and replace the hood. It's easier for me than removing the door and awkwardly working the filter with my finger through the small opening.

**Mikesul** · 07-19-2018, 10:02 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by rogerstg

Same here. Since the hood is so quick to put on or off, I just remove the hood, set the polarizer and replace the hood. It's easier for me than removing the door and awkwardly working the filter with my finger through the small opening.

Yes, that may be it. I found replacing the little cover very fiddly.

MrEarle · 07-19-2018, 10:59 AM

Funny though, in the old film days before getting back into it, I never much ever used hoods at all - are new lenses more prone to flare and reflection issues than the old 35mm glass?

**StiffLegged** · 07-19-2018, 12:28 PM - **1 Like**

If anything, they're even better than ever at suppressing flare. However, the manufacturers have got better at making hoods, especially when I think of the awful tripe we used to screw on to wide-angles back then. Bayonet hood mounts make that possible.

**clickclick** · 07-19-2018, 02:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rogerstg

Same here. Since the hood is so quick to put on or off, I just remove the hood, set the polarizer and replace the hood. It's easier for me than removing the door and awkwardly working the filter with my finger through the small opening.

I love that little door, and often will just put it in my shirt pocket until done with the lens. I've gotten pretty good at pushing it with my left index finger. That direction of push/rotation also works well to keep from having the polarizer unscrew off the lens instead of adjusting as desired.

**K-Three** · 07-19-2018, 09:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Robot camera

I put a fluorescent orange stick on spot on both sides

part of the hood's value is to suppress reflections, light on the inside of the hood could reflect off that spot. Not sure it could get to the lens, but I would not take that chance.
The metal hood I found for my DA 50 ƒ1.8 had the thread size printed on the inside in white paint, I took a black Sharpie to it, no risk from it now.
My preference would be to keep the inside face of the hood as black and non-reflective as possible. I've seen old hoods that were metal, flocked (black velvet?) on the inside.
just my 2¢

07-18-2018, 09:10 PM	#1
MrEarle Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	New 55-300! I am excitedly fondling my newly arrived HD DA 55-300mm lens from B&H. They pushed me over by sending me a $14 gift card which made the price $345, no tax or shipping, take that Amazon ! So, help my bewilderment, the hood included has a small removable trap door...why? Side note: in my search for info, I discovered the the Japanese Ricoh-Pentax website has FAR more information than the US site, lots more accessories and software downloads...anyway here is a pic of the PH-RBK58 hood. Attached Images

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07-18-2018, 09:25 PM - 2 Likes	#2
demondata Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	You remove the "trap door", as you name it, to rotate filter rings on, e.g., a circular polarizer, without having to remove the hood or poke your fingers through the front of the hood to rotate it. Very useful when needed, but easily lost once removed, so make sure to place it in your camera bag or a pocket on your clothing.

07-18-2018, 09:36 PM	#3
MrEarle Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43 Original Poster	Originally posted by demondata You remove the "trap door", as you name it, to rotate filter rings on, e.g., a circular polarizer, without having to remove the hood or poke your fingers through the front of the hood to rotate it. Very useful when needed, but easily lost once removed, so make sure to place it in your camera bag or a pocket on your clothing. Of course! Thanks!

07-19-2018, 12:17 AM - 2 Likes	#4
Robot camera Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Posts: 194	I nearly lost the trap door on a trip out when I first had a digital Pentax; I dropped it in the grass. It's not easy to spot because it's matt black, so I put a fluorescent orange stick on spot on both sides.

07-19-2018, 05:33 AM - 1 Like	#5
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Originally posted by MrEarle I am excitedly fondling my newly arrived HD DA 55-300mm lens from B&H. They pushed me over by sending me a $14 gift card which made the price $345, no tax or shipping, take that Amazon ! So, help my bewilderment, the hood included has a small removable trap door...why? Side note: in my search for info, I discovered the the Japanese Ricoh-Pentax website has FAR more information than the US site, lots more accessories and software downloads...anyway here is a pic of the PH-RBK58 hood. Looks like you got a great buy especially if its the Pentax Hd Da 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Ed Plm Wr Re. Its a great lens and focuses quite quickly and accurately as well as quitely. I think you will be quite pleased with your bargain. Larry

07-19-2018, 05:59 AM	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Has anyone ever tried a stick on lens cap keeper/leash a hood door?

07-19-2018, 06:03 AM - 1 Like	#7
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	remember gaffer tape can substitute when you lose that part and chances are that you will lose it remember Murphy's Law and Finnigan's corollary [ any thing that can go wrong will go wrong, Murphy was an optimist ]

07-19-2018, 09:50 AM - 1 Like	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	I don't think I have ever lost one of those but, of course, I rarely use them. This is ironic considering how excited I was when I realized how handy they would be.

07-19-2018, 09:59 AM - 1 Like	#9
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by Mikesul I don't think I have ever lost one of those but, of course, I rarely use them. This is ironic considering how excited I was when I realized how handy they would be. Same here. Since the hood is so quick to put on or off, I just remove the hood, set the polarizer and replace the hood. It's easier for me than removing the door and awkwardly working the filter with my finger through the small opening.

07-19-2018, 10:02 AM - 2 Likes	#10
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by rogerstg Same here. Since the hood is so quick to put on or off, I just remove the hood, set the polarizer and replace the hood. It's easier for me than removing the door and awkwardly working the filter with my finger through the small opening. Yes, that may be it. I found replacing the little cover very fiddly.

07-19-2018, 10:59 AM	#11
MrEarle Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43 Original Poster	Funny though, in the old film days before getting back into it, I never much ever used hoods at all - are new lenses more prone to flare and reflection issues than the old 35mm glass?

07-19-2018, 12:28 PM - 1 Like	#12
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,636	If anything, they're even better than ever at suppressing flare. However, the manufacturers have got better at making hoods, especially when I think of the awful tripe we used to screw on to wide-angles back then. Bayonet hood mounts make that possible.

07-19-2018, 02:55 PM - 1 Like	#13
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Originally posted by rogerstg Same here. Since the hood is so quick to put on or off, I just remove the hood, set the polarizer and replace the hood. It's easier for me than removing the door and awkwardly working the filter with my finger through the small opening. I love that little door, and often will just put it in my shirt pocket until done with the lens. I've gotten pretty good at pushing it with my left index finger. That direction of push/rotation also works well to keep from having the polarizer unscrew off the lens instead of adjusting as desired.

07-19-2018, 09:38 PM - 1 Like	#14
K-Three Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pugetopolis, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Originally posted by Robot camera I put a fluorescent orange stick on spot on both sides part of the hood's value is to suppress reflections, light on the inside of the hood could reflect off that spot. Not sure it could get to the lens, but I would not take that chance. The metal hood I found for my DA 50 ƒ1.8 had the thread size printed on the inside in white paint, I took a black Sharpie to it, no risk from it now. My preference would be to keep the inside face of the hood as black and non-reflective as possible. I've seen old hoods that were metal, flocked (black velvet?) on the inside. just my 2¢