Lens hood for Raynox HD-6600Pro-55 ?

[WorBry]

http://www.fotodiox.com/product_info.php?products_id=271

Thanks Shaun. Nice hood (43mm) for the 'unattached' GS400 that is, but I'm wanting one for the Raynox; 72mm thread-on or around 76-77mm for a slip-over/clamp-on type. The largest square hood I can see there on the Fotodiox website is 62mm. 

@pilsburypie.
 
Yep, the Cavision LH77 (7mm) does seem to be a popular choice. Only stockist I can find in Canada is Vistek, who mark-up ridiculous prices on most items:
 
http://www.vistek.ca/results/CameraLenses/cameras-cam%2035mm-lens%20acc-hoods/Cavision/Hoods.aspx
 
and thats before tax and S/H.
 
A skinflint, I know, but it's the usual 'dinosaur-dilemma' of how much do I want to spend on getting the most out of my beloved GS400 until I can afford an AVCHD (PC upgrade, editing software upgrade, BD burner etc) as a worthwhile investment for the longer term ?
 
Had my eyes set on a TM700/900, but the new Canon HF G10 is looking really good, especially on low light performance. Plus there are some very alluring local deals on the HF S200 right now. Decisions, decisions. Anyone know if my 55mm Raynox would work OK on a 58mm Canon HF-S series cam? I suspect not.     

[WorBry]

I know I'm going off topic a bit here, but just going back to the subject of polarizers.
 
I was going through my dad's old camera kit (Canon T70, lenses, etc) with a view to selling on EBay, before it loses all value. Low and behold, there were a couple of Hoya PL filters (52mm, 58mm, .....unfortunately not a 72mm). This stuff dates back to the mid-80's and I assume that by the PL designation they are linear polarizers. Of course, I'm wondering if they are suitable to use with my GS400.
 
The received wisdom is that it is best to use circular polarizers on modern cameras with automated focus and exposure systems, and by extension this is taken to apply to digital camcorders as well. Yet, on researching this further I came across this enlightening post in the DVXUser forum:
 
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?27422-Polarizers-Fact-amp-Fiction&highlight=linear+circular+polarizer
 
I wonder, is it reasonable to assume that the same holds for the GS series camcorders i.e. "does not have anything in its optical system that is affected by the polarization of light" and so can use a linear polarizer without problems? I cant find any definitive information on this, although the same question has been raised elswhere:
 
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasonic-dv-mx-gs-series-assistant/29022-filter-hood-recommendation-pv-gs400-raynox-hd-5000pro-set-up.html#post200961
 
Guy? You're the guru on this type of thing. 
 
Also, much is made of the performance benefits of the more costly multi-coated CPL's, in terms of reduced flare and improved contrast. Out of interest, is the Cokin P-Series CPL (multi) coated or is that not necessary given that it is a single piece of glass and so does not suffer from the internal relections that occur between the two surfaces of a screw-in CPL.   
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Guy Bruner]

Bryan,
You can use either linear or circular polarizers with a camcorder.  I have used both without problem on the GS400. 

Multi-coating does make a difference, especially when stacking filters.  However, you may not really notice the difference in practical use.  I don't believe any of the Cokin filters are coated. 

[WorBry]

Thanks Guy. Yes, I tested the Hoya PL filters on my GS400 and it seems to function (auto-focus, auto-exp, WB) OK. Definitely stronger than my ProTama CPL though.

[WorBry]

After discovering that Cavision is based here in Canada (Vancouver), I got a quote from them for the LH-77 hood, thinking their direct price would be less than Vistek ca, the only on-line retailer I've found here. Would you believe it, $49; plus tax and S/H that's 75 $CAN, about the same as Vistek. Goodness me, B&H have it listed at $39.50.
 
So, I'm thinking to make one myself, inspired by the 'plastic pot glued to a stepping ring' approach to DIY hoods and matte boxes. I have a 72mm Cokin P system ring adapter for the from a time when I was playing around with water-proof housings for my GS400, which provides a nice flat surface for gluing onto. Just looking out for the right shaped pot - plant pot, zip-lock container etc.   
 
On the subject of hoods in general. My practice (when not using the Raynox) has been to use the GS400 stock hood and attach filters to the front of it. This becomes bit of a pain when attaching and detaching the Raynox; having to unscrew the stock-hood, attach 43-55 step ring and then the Raynox. Plus the step ring binds quite tightly and can be difficult to unscrew afterwards. So, I'm thinking rather to leave the 43-55mm ring on permanently and get a 55mm (or 58mm) hood to replace the stock hood when I'm not using the Raynox. This 58mm Mennon hood seems to be quite popular (at least with Canon HFS cam users) and can be had on EBay for less than $10:
 
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330453126395&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
 
It comes with a front cap. I have 55-58mm step ring, so no problem with attachment.
 
I doubt there would be any problems with vignetting, given the size. I guess my only concern is whether this hood is actually "too large" (in terms of effective light exclusion) for the GS400 lens, especially when one considers the surprisingly small rectangular "aperture" on the stock hood. And what then do people do when it comes to using polarizers etc with this type of rectangular hood. Since the only option is to place the filter between the hood and lens (on the stock thread or step-up) will this compromise light exclusion at certain angles when the hood (with filter) is rotated 'out-of-position'? I guess the ideal in that case would be one with a freely rotating mount ring. I've seem some petal type hoods designed for rotating zoom lenses with that feature, but not rectangular ones.
 
You might say that's another advantage of the Cokin system and hood.
 
Edit: Ah, OK, I've educated myself. "A wide, long hood is a better choice than a narrow, short hood".......and it also looks more professional.
 
http://toothwalker.org/optics/lenshood.html
 
 
Edit: Looking at the TM700 and 900 (thinking about the future), I see that the 'stock hood' is now just a simple circular hood that screws into the lens head thread, with no thread on the front to attach filters to.
 
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-HDC-TM700-Camcorder-Review-37681/Product-Tour.htm
 
Also, the 'baffles' in GS400 'stock hood' are, in the TM700/900, now located inside the lens head itself. Makes sense, for attaching conversion lenses in general, and, on the TM900 at least, the 3D conversion lens in particular. (Ooh, and it incorporates an automatic lens cover.....sigh).
 
Wish they'd thought about that earlier with the GS400, as in removing the stock-hood to fit the Raynox, one is surely losing the 'built-in' stray light protection afforded by those 'baffles' which in some way act to compensate for the 'shortness' of hood. Does make me wonder then how much is really to be gained by replacing the stock-hood with a much longer/wider rectangular hood as opposed to fitting a shorter hood (like the TM700/900 hood) on the stock hood itself ?       
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 

[WorBry]

Instead of an attached hood for the Raynox, there is always something like this:
 
http://www.flarebuster.com/fb.html
 
Not a bad idea actually. Couldnt look more zany than my PVC fig-rig contraption.