Another lenshood question :-)

[Rosedale]

Has anyone tried using stepdown rings instead of the 'official' lenshood - how successful are stepdown rings in avoiding flare?

 

[Nod]

Anything that stops direct light hitting the front element of the lens will reduce flare. I sometimes simply shade it with a hand. A rubber hood might be cheaper than a load of step rings.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Has anyone tried using stepdown rings instead of the 'official' lenshood - how successful are stepdown rings in avoiding flare?

The original lens hood was optimized for the focal
length/s of any given lens. Of course, a very long
zoom (18/300, 24/120 fox ex.) will be more suscep-
tible than any other type of lens to flares.

I don't see that a step-down ring would be of any
advantage in flare reduction and it may generate
some vignetting.

I sometimes simply shade it with a hand.

+1