AC90: Lens Hood

[mrveronn]

As I continue with my video taping of outdoor soccer games, here on the west coast of Canada, I've continued to try and fine tune my 'inclement' weather preparations. Rain, and in decent quantities, is normal, but one game in particular last season was distinguished by the gusting winds, with changing direction. In no time at all the lens of my AG-AC90 was well sprinkled with rain drops. I persevered and in between the torrents of water running down the lens you can still see the goals, saves and heroic efforts of the boys passing the ball around the field. I've recently ordered a fabric lens hood from Fotonex (www.fotonex.co.uk/), their PO11 product and look forward to trying it on my camera this season (sun shining for the first three games so far, but that will change), and hoping that it keeps the rain drops at bay. At about $70 CDN, it is not cheap, but I'm wearing my optimist hat (er hood?) and will report back on the results. I am a bit concerned with vignetting, and how well the hood will hold up with getting soaked...but in the spirit of adventure, I will proceed...Tally Ho! :huh:

 

[jimith]

If I understand correctly, your looking to keep rain off the lens. You might try a welding hood lens cover plate like this one. http://www.magidglove.com/Magid-CR2...jSox5_qDo0dQUL2cD8HEP0XD4zN6okXAyVBoCxDjw_wcB They used to be made of glass, but mostly are plastic. They have different sizes. You can cut them by scoring and snapping the score. Use gorilla tape, and tape the top part of the cover plate to the top part of the plastic lens hood. Like a hinge. then tape the sides. Make sure the tape is out of view. When finished apply rain x to the cover plate. The rain should sheet off, or at least you can wipe the rain off. I didn't notice the plastic cover when filming, but you may.

 

[mrveronn]

Very creative jimith, I didn't think of that approach. I think I will give the fotonex device its chance...and if it does not work this could be the experiment #3.

Experiment #1 was a flexible sunshade from Flex Lens Shade (http://www.flexlensshade.com/) that I hoped would help, as you can bend it to provide protection from various angles...but in strong winds it bent away (or in front..!) of the lens as it was not strong enough to 'stay' in place...and thus didn't make it out of the experiment stage...I still use this on sunny (but not windy days) occasionally, and its great for shots where the camera is locked down on the tripod...you adjust it to block the sun and voila, a much better image.

I'm hoping that experiment #2, this lens hood from Fotonex, will be 1) strong enough to withstand the gusts, 2) easy to attach/remove from the camera, 3) long lasting rain-resistant material, and 4) will not vignette the image. Fingers crossed...!!

And if money were no object, then I'd have to check out the SpinTec RD, with a tiffen glass filter that spins at 3000 RPM shedding rain or snow. http://vimeo.com/22731327

 

[mrveronn]

PO11 did well..!

PO11 did well..!

Got a chance to try out the Fotonex PO11 lens hood this weekend in a moderate wind and rainy day. The hood does not vignette the image, which was a relief, and it adds about an additional 4" of cover to the existing AC90 lens hood. I've attached a photo showing the lens hood on my AC90. The photo was taken just prior to the game starting, when it was just cloudy. The rain started about 30 minutes into the first half, at which time I installed my camera's rain jacket. I'm happy to report that the lens hood stayed in place even with moderate wind and gusts, and the lens only picked up a few scattered rain drops, leaving the image of the field quite clear.


Update: the fabric lens hood dried out quickly and maintained its shape well...no wrinkling/warping...so I will continue my outdoor shooting in the rain, and let you know in a month or two how the lens hood holds up...

 

[jimith]

Hope your jib crane works well. I have redesigned my first jib crane and will be making a YouTube video about it. Here are a few pictures of it. You "build" the crane to what ever length you want by using 3 foot sections.

 

[mrveronn]

Very neat jimith, I love the shots I can get with my 12' ProAM crane. I wouldn't have the courage to build my own crane..., although in high school I spent a lot of time in woodworking (oak crane anyone?) and got a real sense of accomplishment from building things. My mom still treasures her spice rack!! In any case, congrats to you on your design and implementation...look forward to your video.

 

[mrveronn]

Well, just reporting back on the fabric lens hood. It has gone through several games with heavy rain and strong winds...and protected the lens well. Instead of a river of water running down the lens, its now more of a babbling brook...and in lighter weather the lens stays clear, or gets a drop, which evaporates after a few minutes... and leaves the lens clear. I'm careful to pull the lens hood out and let it dry off when I get home, and to date there is no warping or any damage apparent...so I'm considering this a good investment for my outdoor shooting. I'm sure that some folks could make this a DIY project, but my sewing talent is not up to the task...

I'm also happy to report that the hood has stayed in place even with gusty winds of 15-20 kph. There are sections of material on the inside edge of the hood, that makes contact with the AG-AC90s plastic hood, that gives it some 'traction'. I'm considering a mod, using Velcro or another type of material to lock the Fotonex hood even more in place...but so far there has been no need other than giving a good amount of tension on the Fotonex's Velcro fastener that pulls it tight around the camera's lens hood.

And its not just an inclement weather item...I tend to put on the hood even in decent weather, as I fly my camera on my jib (or even on my tripod) as it give a bit more shade/sun protection for the lens.