What's up with cheap hood sellers?

[btgc]

Sometimes I need those couple-of-dollars lens hoods, but don't want just accessory - I want it works in intended way. If in doubt, I ask seller about dimensions of hood and use hoodcalc.xls to get idea to which category (tool or gizmo) belongs particular hood.

Now I have come across description beating anything I've seen before:

[FONT=宋体]this can lower the contrast of the image
[FONT=宋体]enables you to shoot towards the light source,and being reflected inside the lens,without excessive flare
[FONT=宋体]stops light coming into the lens at extreme angles and being reflected inside the lens
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
I see traces of truth in last sentence - hood blocks light falling on lens at angle (well, not especially extreme). Ability to shoot towards light source is related to lens coatings, I think, nothing to do with hood. I even don't mention contrast, which is expected to increase with use of hood.

I don't blame those guys not speaking English natively (I'm in same boat with them, language wise). Just thought it's global trend - descriptions can be as wild as imagination of seller, and this applies to cheap and expensive things. Interesting enough, if someone would notice similar non-sense writing in description of new car or minds would ignore hoping car is good?

 

[sevo]

You do not even need to know what they will be used for to be able to cut or stamp aluminium cones according to widely published specifications or an example copy. These Chinese component builders are not into photography, they are into metal work - last year I ordered a couple of very nice adapters from one of them, but late last year he quit doing lens adapters and moved on to making car and bike parts...

 

[Mablo]

What's the hoodcalc.xls?

 

[btgc]

What's the hoodcalc.xls?

Excel sheet with formula, calculating length of lens hood for a lens (you have to provide focal length, diameter of front element and diameter of lens hood). First time I used it I were surprised to see that many hoods are gimmicks not real hoods.

P.S. file appears on Web also as hoodcalc.zip - do not be afraid, it's not harmful, at least not against me.

 

[oleg_hk]

First time I used it I were surprised to see that many hoods are gimmicks not real hoods.

Yeah, that's true, very true. You can also open the shutter and look through the lens into the film window corners, often it is amazing how far the hood is from where it should be.
Well, the idea of a _round_ lens hood is itself eh.., suboptimal.

That said, many people don't need light blocking properties from their hoods, just mechanical protection of front lens, is all. Flare can be very artistic after all ))

 

[Mablo]

Thanks, btgc. The hoodcalc.zip file can even be found here in RFF:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25136

 

[seifadiaz]

It's not limited to descriptions, even item names. Until now, I still cannot fathom what an abortive calf skin leather strap is.