Sorry about all of these newbie questions. I searched the entire Leica M category but cannot find an answer about this. I just bought the new version Tri-Elmar. The manual states that there is an accessory lens hood for this lens. The dealer I bought it from says he doubts the hood is necessary as the front lens element retracts quite a bit at 2 of the focal lengths so the front of the lens acts as a shade. Can anyone who has a Tri-Elmar comment on this? Thanks!

-- Steve Rosenblum (stevierose@yahoo.com), September 06, 2001

Answers

A lens hood nearly always helps reduce flare and protect the from element of the lens. I would always use one, given the option.

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), September 06, 2001.

I believe the manual that came with my new-version tri elmar states that the accessory hood is not needed unless you are shooting with a filter and very strong sidelight. I don't own the accessory hood, and have used this lens with and without filters, in strong light, and have had no problems with flare. As for protection, the front element sits far enough back so as not to be an issue.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), September 06, 2001.

I've never used a hood with mine, and have had exactly one instance of flare. I was shooting toward the sun, in verical format, with the sun just out of the top of the frame. I got a bit of flare on the bottom of the image, that was croppable. I've never seen the lens flare other than that. The front element is set back far enough for protection, and I use the lens cap when I'm not shooting. The accessory hood blocks a lot of the viewfinder, so I haven't bothered ordering it.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), September 06, 2001.

If you plan to use a filter then the hood will make a difference. It's blockage of the viewfinder is minimal and it makes the lens look way cool to boot!

Cheers.

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), September 08, 2001.