Nikon's HR-2 is my favorite lens hood.
Written: Jan 11 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, provides great protection, compacts easily, excellent build quality.
Cons: None found yet.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for the great protection it offers, relative to its reasonable price. A must for photojournalists working in extreme conditions.
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| jvandegr's Full Review: Nikon HR-2 Rubber Hood |
Introduction
Lens hoods are essential in the world of photojournalism. They provide some protection from peripheral lighting, while also adding some protection for the front lens element from the occasional bump or rain shower. With their relatively low price tags, I always order a lens hood when I purchase a lens, if the lens does not have one built in. Nikon's lens hoods are noticeably better constructed than third-party hoods, so I didn't hesitate to purchase the HR-2 for my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF lens. It has proven to be a very wise investment.
Features
This lens hood is designed for use with Nikon's 50mm lenses that have a 52mm filter size. It can also be used with a 35mm lens mounted on a digital camera with a 1.5X crop factor (magnification factor). It is threaded on both sides to allow the use of a threaded filter on either side. Besides this metal threading, this hood is made entirely from rubber.
The HR-2 is made in Japan and can be distinguished from non-genuine Nikon lens hoods by the raised lettering on the side that indicates manufacturer and model number. The HR-2 is selling for $15 (US) from several online vendors, as of early 2007.
Performance
The HR-2 attaches easily to the front of my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF. Even though I seldom remove it, and even though it has been exposed to extreme weather conditions, it does not bind to the lens. I have not had any problems with filters binding to the lens hood's inner threads.
The all rubber design of this hood is what makes it my favorite. At first, I was concerned that it would lose shape over time, which could potentially affect image quality. After three years of use, I'm happy to report that this hasn't happened at all. Evidently, Nikon chose to use high quality rubber for this hood. This rubber hood has the distinct advantage of collapsing around the lens body when it is not needed. This allows it to be stored with ease in my camera bag, which means that I can leave it on indefinitely. Because it is always attached, I don't forget it or lose it, and I don't lose time trying to attach it. When collapsed, it does increase the width of the lens by almost an inch, but width is seldom a problem in most camera bags (length and weight are usually bigger problems).
In use, the HR-2 does a good job of reducing light from peripheral sources, which noticeably reduces lens flare. I have not found a single instance of vignetting with this lens hood in any of my images, even when mounted onto a B&W UV filter. This hood has saved my lens a couple times in difficult situations when I didn't have time to worry about protecting my gear. The thick rubber offers good shock protection for the front of the lens. On one assignment, I brushed the debris from a rock outcrop off the HR-2. Without the HR-2 in place, I would have likely needed to repair or replace the lens as rocks and camera lenses usually don't play well with each other. That's worth the price alone. However, I find that the most important type of protection this lens hood offers is from the elements, especially precipitation. Rain and snow have a difficult time reaching the front lens element, which gives me a few seconds to get clear shots. In windy locations, it provides some protection from blowing debris as well.
Conclusions
For a minimal investment, the HR-2 offers several types of protection for a 50mm lens. Its build quality, ease of use, and ability to be collapsed, make it one of the best lens hoods available.
Recommended:
Yes
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