Pros: Shades the sun very effectively! Durable and weather resistant!
Cons: Nope! Aren't any!
The Bottom Line: The Bower Rubber Lens Hood is a most effective camera accessory that anybody that takes filming/photography seriously should seriously consider purchasing.
sam-pro's Full Review: B+W 37mm Screw In Folding Rubber Lens Hood #900
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to shoot an important scene only to have Mr. Sun come a-creepin' in from the side only to render viewing useless! Now I like the Sun just as much as the Beatles, Paul Revere And The Raiders along with Mr. Bobby Sherman but when filming the big game late in the afternoon during October and there is activity down at the goal line...I don't need Mr. Sun glaring his big butt right in my lens's face.
I have literally seen videographers and photographers scream and cry in total frustration because of this stressful situation. Now...you may think that a uv or polarizing lens might be enough to overcome this problem. It's not and keeping the sun to your back isn't always possible when shooting a scene or picture from a fixed position such as a media booth.
Yes... Sherman's Mr. Sun can be a royal pain in the A$$ during such a moment flooding your lenses with his rays while he sitteth low on his throne...hanging like a great big orange Chinese ball {as the Rock band Seatrain once said} over the left goal posts. Do not fret! Help is on the way {Little River Band style!} at a very reasonable cost to you. OK...this is the disc jockey inside of me aching and begging to get out.
Now of course you can use your hand to shade the wicked old beast. OK...whatever floats your boat! To each his or her own but really folks...there must be a better less fatiguing and tiresome but more permanent cost effective solution to the problem...right?
Enter the Bower Co. HR37 Folding Rubber Lens Hood that attaches to your camera's inner threads. 37mm is the proper thread size for my camera but yours may require a different size. No matter...Bower manufactures various sizes in Japan.
Basically it is like an adapter ring sealed with a very durable accordian like rubber hood that can in one easy push be folded back flush with the camera lens or with a slight pull...can be telescoped out to block those evil rays and prevent them from destroying the scene.
Although lens hoods have been around for a long time...the average photographer or videographer may not be fully aware of their existence and availability. This particular useful item is available through Video Camera Center located in Miami, Florida.
Now...for those of you who cannot easily walk or drive to the store's front door...no problema...you can find them on Ebay. Ahh...the internet highway is remarkable...isn't it???!!
And so is the Bower Rubber Hood Lens which by the way is so easily, firmly and neatly collapsible...and this particular vendor...who is absolutely NUMBER ONE in both Customer Service and satisfaction.
The rubber lens hood is reasonably priced at under $10 with shipping and you'll like the way it never interferes with your camera's duties. When you are in the "wide" mode...you do not get the circular dark shadow efffect around the edges...so don't worry.
It is also not flimsy but very filmy. No...in fact it really is useful! If sun is not a problem and you wish to have maximum light on an overcast day...simply gently push back the rubber hood and it becomes flush with the camera lens.
I have used these Bower Rubber Lens Hoods on many of my cameras through the years and have found them to be a necessity and a great performance enhancing tool. The last thing I need is for unbearable sunlight destroying what would have been a great video moment. This little item goes a long way towards preventing that catastrophe. Let it be said in the same breath that it also protects your lens from windy raindrops {yes...the kind you'd like to forget}.
A lens hood {especially this one} also serves to give your camera a professional look...a very nice touch indeed if you will. It is black in color and should blend in nicely regardless of your particular cam's finish be it silver or black.
I now make it my business to order both this item and a 3 piece filter kit from VCC everytime I purchase a new camera. With my latest purchase of an Hitachi DVD model...this next Football season is going to be the best! I can't wait...but I guess I'll just have to!...PJSII
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