500 PF 5.6 lens hood broke ! Blessing in disguise ?

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My 500 PF 5.6 lens hood broke. Thankfully it was extended and saved any damage to my lens. However, I looked online and the standard replacement was back ordered and I was going on a trip ! I super glued and duct taped the lens hood and covered in a camo tape to tie me over. Found Zemlin lens hoods with an online search and ordered one. These hoods are amazing and so much easier to put on and off. Material is much better and stronger. I definitely recommend to anyone who finds their current hood a bit of a hassle or needs a replacement. I received it in the mail within 5-7 business days ( living in Alaska, shipping takes longer). The Zemlin hood was $159 compared to $59 for the Nikon version but I have to say that the Nikon version being out of stock was sort of a blessing in disguise. I wanted the new hood before the trip and I like the Zemlin one so much better !
 
I have his hoods for both my 500mm PF as well as my 400mm AF-S, and I couldn't agree more! My 400mm was bought used and was missing the second, outer hood, and the screw to tighten the inner hood was iffy, at best. I found Zemlin's hood for that, so when my 500 PF cracked, yup, no brainer! I know they're not as cheap as the OEM hood, but like you mentioned, much better built and easier to put on!

Speaking of that, I also bought his snap lens caps for my 400 and my 600. SO much easier than the stock Nikon sock!
 
I have his hoods for both my 500mm PF as well as my 400mm AF-S, and I couldn't agree more! My 400mm was bought used and was missing the second, outer hood, and the screw to tighten the inner hood was iffy, at best. I found Zemlin's hood for that, so when my 500 PF cracked, yup, no brainer! I know they're not as cheap as the OEM hood, but like you mentioned, much better built and easier to put on!

Speaking of that, I also bought his snap lens caps for my 400 and my 600. SO much easier than the stock Nikon sock!
I’ll definitely be ordering new lens caps from Zemlin !
 
I agree, the stock one is really flimsy and cheap! I got the 120mm long one, I think it was the only one he had at the time I ordered it.

 
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I opted for 100 mm( 3.94 inches long). It was a bit longer than the original but not to long. One of the other options was longer. I’m sure its just preference and I wasnt sure which to get but I’m happy with my selection. Picture shows my temporary repaired Nikon version next to the one I selected.
 
Lost my 500 PF hood a few weeks ago and found Nikon listings out of stock as you did, but found an "open box" one in brand new condition for something like $40. It's good to hear there is an alternative. I don't know if I could force myself to pay $159 for a lens hood, though. And $85 for a lens cap? Nope :) . Then again, my wife often tells me I'm a cheapskate.
 
Does the LensCoat cover for the OEM hood fit the Zemlin one (I assume if so, just the shorter one?)?
Unfortunately I do not have the lenscoat cover yet so I cant answer that question. I’m sure the lenscoat website might be able to or Zemlin. I’ve just been using the tape. The lenscoat cover is on my wish list and that question is something to keep in mind when I do get it. Maybe some other Zemlin fans on this forum can answer that question for us both.
 
Lost my 500 PF hood a few weeks ago and found Nikon listings out of stock as you did, but found an "open box" one in brand new condition for something like $40. It's good to hear there is an alternative. I don't know if I could force myself to pay $159 for a lens hood, though. And $85 for a lens cap? Nope :) . Then again, my wife often tells me I'm a cheapskate.
$40 was a great deal and if I had that option, I might have gone for it. As it is, I’m glad I didnt have the option, happier with the quality of the Zemlin hood and ease of taking on and off.
 
Unfortunately I do not have the lenscoat cover yet so I cant answer that question. I’m sure the lenscoat website might be able to or Zemlin. I’ve just been using the tape. The lenscoat cover is on my wish list and that question is something to keep in mind when I do get it. Maybe some other Zemlin fans on this forum can answer that question for us both.
Thanks for the reply. Just measured my original and it looks like both sizes of the Zemlin hoods are the same diameter but both are longer than the OEM. I'm sure I could craft something together with all the extra Lenscoat pieces I have collected over the years.........
 
I couldn't find the link to the stuff I ordered, but this is basically it. It's kind of rubberized, so there's a little bit of padding. Not as much as the neoprene in a Lenscoat cover, but still some. It's not adhesive, but it sticks to itself, so there's no sticky residue when you take it off. I ordered a couple rolls of regular green camo and a couple of white camo. So here in the upper Midwest US (Wisconsin), I can wrap my gear in green camo for summer, then swap out for white camo for winter.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=self+sti...self+stick+camo+wrap,aps,240&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
 
I couldn't find the link to the stuff I ordered, but this is basically it. It's kind of rubberized, so there's a little bit of padding. Not as much as the neoprene in a Lenscoat cover, but still some. It's not adhesive, but it sticks to itself, so there's no sticky residue when you take it off. I ordered a couple rolls of regular green camo and a couple of white camo. So here in the upper Midwest US (Wisconsin), I can wrap my gear in green camo for summer, then swap out for white camo for winter.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=self+stick+camo+wrap&crid=2AWE4EGDG0B0X&sprefix=self+stick+camo+wrap,aps,240&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
That’s the same sort I use. Would prefer the lenscoat but does the trick for now. It’s not a sticky tape but sticks to itself as described above. I have that sort of tape on the broken nikon hood in picture above. It was just a temporary wrap which did cover the super glue and actual duct tape to get me by, so I didnt cover to the end, found it annoying when it covered the dot and dash for lining up to put on anyhow, which wouldnt be an issue with the Zemlin Hood, the hood is that much easier to put on. Sometimes the tape loses its grip though.
 
I couldn't find the link to the stuff I ordered, but this is basically it. It's kind of rubberized, so there's a little bit of padding. Not as much as the neoprene in a Lenscoat cover, but still some. It's not adhesive, but it sticks to itself, so there's no sticky residue when you take it off. I ordered a couple rolls of regular green camo and a couple of white camo. So here in the upper Midwest US (Wisconsin), I can wrap my gear in green camo for summer, then swap out for white camo for winter.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=self+stick+camo+wrap&crid=2AWE4EGDG0B0X&sprefix=self+stick+camo+wrap,aps,240&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Thanks!
 
I opted for 100 mm( 3.94 inches long). It was a bit longer than the original but not to long. One of the other options was longer. I’m sure its just preference and I wasnt sure which to get but I’m happy with my selection. Picture shows my temporary repaired Nikon version next to the one I selected.
Originally I had just the 120mm. Some third-party tripod foot options won't allow the 120mm hood to reverse for storage, so the 100mm version happened. Recently had a customer request the two-piece - so that was added to the list. The sections on the two piece match the length of the 100mm hood, so it will reverse regardless of the foot you're using.
 
Does the LensCoat cover for the OEM hood fit the Zemlin one (I assume if so, just the shorter one?)?
LensCoat will make custom sleeves for $30 - so just let them know the length and diameter (or ask me for the numbers) and they can make a sleeve to fit whatever hood you get. I had sleeves made for my longer two-piece hood I have on my 400 f/2.8 VR.
 
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