I’m mostly using Z lenses these days. I’ve had no problem with lens hoods on any of my lenses. I make sure I hear the click and give the hood a brief rotational tug to be certain it’s secure.
Why are my Nikon lens hoods falling off
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fcotterill
Well-known member
Similarly to the 70-200 f2.8E, the 500 PF hood has a robust metal clip. Mine work well and have lasted regular use (since ~2018). These hoods click into place and stay there until unlocked. The mechanism looks like it can be easily serviced, or replaced.I also seem to remember reading here in the forum that the snap mechanism on the 500PF eventually wears out. But that's after years of use and hundreds of times on and off the lens. On the 500PF, 400 4.5, and 600PF, wearing the mechanism out isn't an issue for me. The lenses are so small that they fit nicely in the bag with the hood in shooting position. The hood only gets reverse when I store them away. Which now that I think of it there's no need in that case either
The 400 f4.5S and 800 PF use a lever system of a rigid polymer: internal semicircular plastic clips with a toothed lock clicking into grooves on the lens lip. One has worn out at the locking end, or else its tip has snapped off (800 PF) and a clip snapped inside the 400 f4.5S hood. At their price for S Line Nikkors, these designs are a disappointing disgrace.
These Z Telephoto hoods look like they're pressed together in a very fine tolerance assembly, so they look tricky to disassemble without damaging the Polycarbonate. Probably, their "repair" will entail an entire new hood! I'm contemplating making a spring loaded aluminium clip somehow, similar to the superior F-mount mechanism.
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Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
In fairness, I do not have this problem, nor with their more budget lenses nor with the top line.
I wonder if the way I operate is affecting lens hood stability.
These days I shoot with a Holdfast dual strap setup. This means I have two Z9's and two lenses, one set on each side, dangling on a strap as I walk. I pick up one or the other of the cameras to actively shoot as appropriate.
I suspect with this setup the lens hood would tend to rub against clothing. I wonder if the lens lock button is inadvertently getting bumped causing it to release the lock.
I now have Zemlin lens hoods on my larger lenses. I have not had one of those come loose.
Both of the lens hoods that came loose recently were being carried on a Holdfast at the time. the lenses involved were the Z 24-70mm f2.8 S and the 135mm Plena. Both were new US models bought in the last year.
These days I shoot with a Holdfast dual strap setup. This means I have two Z9's and two lenses, one set on each side, dangling on a strap as I walk. I pick up one or the other of the cameras to actively shoot as appropriate.
I suspect with this setup the lens hood would tend to rub against clothing. I wonder if the lens lock button is inadvertently getting bumped causing it to release the lock.
I now have Zemlin lens hoods on my larger lenses. I have not had one of those come loose.
Both of the lens hoods that came loose recently were being carried on a Holdfast at the time. the lenses involved were the Z 24-70mm f2.8 S and the 135mm Plena. Both were new US models bought in the last year.
I have both of the lenses you mentioned. Your suspicion about the lens lock button seems plausible to me.
I have the answer! Because you are not using Zemlin hoods! LOL!
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
The only Nikon lens hood I’ve had a problem with falling off was the 200-500. I purchased the Zemlin for it and that resolved it. I did have some difficulty with installing and removing the hood on the 500PF at times, but that turned out to be more operator error. Once I corrected my technique, the hood was no problem.
My wife used to loose lens hoods on a regular basis from various manufacturers. I think with small hands and arthritis she had issues with getting it securely fastened.
As others I did have problems with the 200-500 falling of a couple of times but that was the only one from Nikon.
I have double carried with the money maker and Z9's with Z600 f/6.3 and a Tamron Z mount 150-500 with OEM hoods with no issue. I have double carried with the Z9's and Z800 f/6.3 but that has a Zemlin 2 part hood and the Z6III and Z600 f/6.3 with oem hood no issue but that was in pretty tame terrain.
I have also double carried with Z9 and Z24-120 and Z6III and Tamron z mount 35-150 f/2-2.8 both with OEM hoods. No problem so far dashing around up and down stairs etc..
I do have to take a bit of extra care with the 24-120 hood to make sure I got it installed properly, have always had that issue with short lens hoods since I have horrible fine motor skills and a serious case of being klutzy.
Hope you get it figured out.
As others I did have problems with the 200-500 falling of a couple of times but that was the only one from Nikon.
I have double carried with the money maker and Z9's with Z600 f/6.3 and a Tamron Z mount 150-500 with OEM hoods with no issue. I have double carried with the Z9's and Z800 f/6.3 but that has a Zemlin 2 part hood and the Z6III and Z600 f/6.3 with oem hood no issue but that was in pretty tame terrain.
I have also double carried with Z9 and Z24-120 and Z6III and Tamron z mount 35-150 f/2-2.8 both with OEM hoods. No problem so far dashing around up and down stairs etc..
I do have to take a bit of extra care with the 24-120 hood to make sure I got it installed properly, have always had that issue with short lens hoods since I have horrible fine motor skills and a serious case of being klutzy.
Hope you get it figured out.
Agree … +1. And they’re so much bigger in diameter than the lenses that putting them in any kind of a case in a no go. They’re in the boxes for the duration my my ownership.
OP- Snap that’s it. Listen and confirm.