Zemlin vs Nikon

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I've always considered the hood being able to push past the ring to be a feature, not a flaw. In a hood-strike the hood can give and absorb energy rather than having the full shock transferred straight to the lens. When the hood's been pushed past you can get it back over the ring by aligning one of the cams in the hood with a slot on the front of the ring. The first one passes over pretty easily. The second one might take a little pull to get it over the back of the ring. Once you have two through the rest is easy.

I have a lot going on this weekend. Later in the week I'll try to put a quick/dirty video together showing the processes of getting the hood over the ring if pushed past.
 
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I understand the theory, however I believe it happens too easily. First time was not a big drop, second time I'm don't even know how it happened. Appreciate the instruction on dealing with it.
 
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Good marketing however if you impact the lens would you rather the force be transfered to the entire lens or the hood give way and it becomes a strike to the glass? As a sun shade anything works but it you're expecting the hood to protect the glass then you wouldn't want it to give way.
 
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BillthePill said:
I understand the theory, however I believe it happens too easily. First time was not a big drop, second time I'm don't even know how it happened. Appreciate the instruction on dealing with it.
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Check that the back of the grooves did not break away in the first strike. I've replaced a couple of rings for that reason. It should not be easy to push the hood out of the grooves. Email me or message from the site if you find anything suspect on the ring. I'll take care of it.
 
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Terry said:
Good marketing however if you impact the lens would you rather the force be transfered to the entire lens or the hood give way and it becomes a strike to the glass? As a sun shade anything works but it you're expecting the hood to protect the glass then you wouldn't want it to give way.
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It's not a claim I make in marketing. It's my thoughts on the design. This is probably the first place I've ever made mention of it. The reason for the angles is to optimize the design for 3D printing. I can't make the angles steeper without compromising the 3D printing process. I don't claim to make a perfect product. I just make the absolute best I can with the tools I have. The vast majority of my customers are thrilled with the products they get from me. Thanks for the feedback.
 
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zemlin said:
I just does not It's not a claim I make in marketing. It's my thoughts on the design. This is probably the first place I've ever made mention of it. The reason for the angles is to optimize the design for 3D printing. I can't make the angles steeper without compromising the 3D printing process. I don't claim to make a perfect product. I just make the absolute best I can with the tools I have. The vast majority of my customers are thrilled with the products they get from me. Thanks for the feedback.
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It just does not get better than your gear. No only are the hoods a wonderful product, but you've saved my glasses from getting all scratched up with the awful OEM nikon viewfinder covers for the Z8/Z9. Your hood, on my 400/2.8TC is so much easier to use, and not hard to setup. Your viewfinder covers are infinately better! Couldn't be happier! Chris.
 
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Terry said:
The junky lens hood that came on my Nikon 500 PF has about seen it's last day. I have to make a decision on replacement. The Nikon hood is $60 compared to Zemlin at $135.

Is the difference in price worth it?

The Nikon has a lock preventing it from rotating and falling off, does the Zemlin?

Zemlin offers the hood in two lengths. Obviously the shorter the better in the bag but wonder if anyone has seem a real advantage to the longer hood?

I would appreciate feedback from any that may have walked this path, thanks!

Terry
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I loved my 500 PF and never had an issue with my hood. Flares were never much of a issue for all my shots. I picked up the 800PF in August and hated the bag lens cap (which is so big and cumbersome) and the enormous hood (which is much larger than my 500 and adds to an already long lens). I initially shopped for the lens cap, and ended up going for the two piece hood also. I love them both. They are both far better than Nikon lens caps and hoods. They are made with a composite that has a much heftier feel to them. I love the two piece hood. It does not have a "lock" , but the way it's constructed and the "heftiness" of the plastic, It is not going anywhere. In fact it takes two hands and a greater amount of torque to remove the hood. I have only used the first section and have never had the need to attach the second piece. ( Remember- I got this in the fall and haven't shot with the lens during the summer.) I love the shorter hood and knowing I can quickly screw on the second piece when the demand calls for it. Karl Zemlin produces superior products and if you're keeping your 500PF ( I will never let my 500PF go. it's such a great lens) I urge you to consider the Zemilin. I give Zemlin a two thumbs up. I don't think you need to get the lens cap tho- the 800PF lacks the threads for a UV filter and I want something to protect the lens.
So - I am suggesting look beyond the price and judge the quality. I have thousands invested in my equipment- there is no price on quality- Zemlin is superior quality in my opinion. Stay Well Be Kind GM
 
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zemlin said:
It's not a claim I make in marketing. It's my thoughts on the design. This is probably the first place I've ever made mention of it. The reason for the angles is to optimize the design for 3D printing. I can't make the angles steeper without compromising the 3D printing process. I don't claim to make a perfect product. I just make the absolute best I can with the tools I have. The vast majority of my customers are thrilled with the products they get from me. Thanks for the feedback.
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I just saw your reply, and I think you are too modest. My Zemlin cap and hood are far more superior to Nikon's. Now, If you could figure out a way to manufacture a UV filter for the 800PF, I'd be on that list. And yes, you can count me in with the " thrilled"
 
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I have previously bought an eyecup for Nikon z9 and I already had a zemlin cap for my 800mm pf.

I just took delivery on a second eyecup for my second z9 and for the first time tried one of his lens hood for my z 400 f4,5 as well as a lens cap for that lens.

I was so satisfied with the quality of the lens hood that I decided to add a two piece lens hood for the 800mm pf as well.

I will say all of their products are far better than what Nikon provides.

The eyecups are the right combination of strength, balance and compressibility. they also work far better with glasses.

The lens caps are solid and reliable. They go on firmly, they stay on.

The hoods. Very special. Really easy to get on and off and stay firmly in place.

Needless to say I am very pleased with everything I have gotten from Zemlin

Strongly recommended.
 
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I am providing some experience and recommendation for Zemlin.

At this point I have purchased several Zemlin products. I have two of their eyepieces for my two Z9 camera bodies. I have lens caps for my longer lenses including the Z 800mm pf and 400mm f4.5.

My most recent purchases were lens hoods for the Nikon Z 800mm pf and Z400mm f4.5. This report relates to those products. I don't own other camera brands.

For both of those lenses there is a bracket built in to the lens that is designed to allow the OEM hood to bayonet in. The installation for these Zemlin hoods is different from the hood he supplies for some of the other lenses made by Nikon.

The installation for these bayonet type lenses is a bit different from what I read in the past. If you are getting one of these types I recommend you view the installation video first.

To make a long story short, I did not do it right the first time and things did not go on correctly. As the result the lens hood was not snug.

By then I had gotten the 800mm lens hood and by then I had viewed the video and figured out what I did wrong. This one went on just fine.

I called Zemlin and asked to order a replacement bracket sleeve for the 400. I admitted my own idiocy and offered to pay for the replacement.

Karl Zemlin said no he would supply the replacement bracket for free. I got it today and now that I know what I am doing it went on smoothly and cleanly.

THE KEY TO THE INSTALLATION IS TO COMPLETELY LOOSEN THE MOUNTING SCREW SO THE BRACKET IS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO LIFT AND MOVE THE SLEEVE SO IT FITS PROPERLY OVER THE LENS BRACKET. ONCE YOU GET IT INTO THE PROPER POSITION THE SLEEVE FITS VERY SMOOTHLY AND TIGHTLY AND IT IS VERY EASY TO TIGHTEN DOWN SNUGLY.

Don't be like me. read the instruction and view the video before you install.

Kudos to Zemlin for excellent products and even more excellent support.

Everything he makes is top quality and is strongly recommended.
 
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BillthePill said:
I have a Zemlin hood on my OM 150-400/4.5. The hood slipped over the ring a couple times on a recent birding tour. First time it took a short drop (few inches) while I was setting the kit hood down. Don't know what happened the second occasion. It's a real pain to get the hood back over the ring. Very disappointing. I believe there was another user here that had the same issue
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I've been updating my hood designs over the past several weeks. Much of what I'm doing is for internal efficiency, consistency, and quality. I have changed the design on my smaller hoods to resolve this issue. With the updated design it is virtually impossible to push the hood past the ring. I've heard very few complaints about this issue, but if I can make an improvement for a few customers, I do it.

Anyone who has had issues with the hood pushing past the lock ring with one of my hoods, please reach out either by email or web site message to discuss replacement. Both the hood and ring will need to be replaced.
 
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zemlin said:
I've been updating my hood designs over the past several weeks. Much of what I'm doing is for internal efficiency, consistency, and quality. I have changed the design on my smaller hoods to resolve this issue. With the updated design it is virtually impossible to push the hood past the ring. I've heard very few complaints about this issue, but if I can make an improvement for a few customers, I do it.

Anyone who has had issues with the hood pushing past the lock ring with one of my hoods, please reach out either by email or web site message to discuss replacement. Both the hood and ring will need to be replaced.
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I had been meaning to ordering the Mini 2nd Section for Two-Piece Zemlin HZ-104 2-Piece hood for my Z800 f/6.3. I have frequently used just the first half when the wind is up and I have gotten the bayonet end dirty and I know it is exposed so decided discretion the batter part of valor and just ordered it. So when the front half comes of this can go on.
 
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Terry said:
The junky lens hood that came on my Nikon 500 PF has about seen it's last day. I have to make a decision on replacement. The Nikon hood is $60 compared to Zemlin at $135.

Is the difference in price worth it?

The Nikon has a lock preventing it from rotating and falling off, does the Zemlin?

Zemlin offers the hood in two lengths. Obviously the shorter the better in the bag but wonder if anyone has seem a real advantage to the longer hood?

I would appreciate feedback from any that may have walked this path, thanks!

Terry
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In what way does it seem to be seeing it's last day?
 
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Terry said:
The junky lens hood that came on my Nikon 500 PF has about seen it's last day. I have to make a decision on replacement. The Nikon hood is $60 compared to Zemlin at $135.

Is the difference in price worth it?

The Nikon has a lock preventing it from rotating and falling off, does the Zemlin?

Zemlin offers the hood in two lengths. Obviously the shorter the better in the bag but wonder if anyone has seem a real advantage to the longer hood?

I would appreciate feedback from any that may have walked this path, thanks!

Terry
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In what way does it seem to be seeing it's last day?

Some of the metal spring parts fell out. The hood still mounts but isn't really retained. If I were using it everyday I would replace it but moving to mirrorless so lens lives in the bag most of the time.

I just like the days hoods were metal and tough!
 
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Well, my old 500 mm F/4 has a metal hood and it is tough. but it has a screw tightened lug that seats in a very sturdy metal groove. These plastic bayonet mounting hood systems of today. I actually like that the hood is flimsier than the plastic bayonet part on the lens. I think of it as a crumple zone so to speak. On impact I want the bayonet part of the hood to fail rather than transmit shock to the lens or worse break the plastic bayonet part on the lens.
 
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Terry said:
In what way does it seem to be seeing it's last day?

Some of the metal spring parts fell out. The hood still mounts but isn't really retained. If I were using it everyday I would replace it but moving to mirrorless so lens lives in the bag most of the time.

I just like the days hoods were metal and tough!
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In the last couple of years with DSLR's I was using my 600 f/4E or my Tamron 150-600 G2 or Sigma 60-600 and the 500pf was sitting in the dry cabinet. My wife tried using the 500 pf and got great images but she hated the lens hood so it went back into the cabinet until I sold it along with all my other DSLR gear in May and June 2022.

My least favorite hood in my dslr days was the one on my 600 f/4E the thumb screw fastening method and slip on fabric lens cap ( a padded bag) etc. was a logistical pain. So when I got my Z800 f/6.3 pf. I ordered a hood (2 piece same length as OEM hood) and lens cap from Zemlin as soon as he had them available. The material he uses is tougher than the metal hoods I used to have. The Z800 pf stock lens hood is one of their better ones I have had but the lens cap was really a bag. Besides being well made and locking solidly into place on my Z800 the two piece hood is a fantastic asset when the wind comes up I take the front half off and the sail effect goes away.
 
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Just received my Zemlin hood and cap for my Z 600 f4 TC. Wow!

I had one for my 400 f2.8E FL VR and 500 PF, but the hood for my Z 600 TC is even better if that is possible. Fits absolutely perfectly and operates like a dream.

The original Z600 TC hood was a bit flimsy, but I could live with it as it was much lighter than the original hoods that came with the older exotics which were made of carbon fiber. I get why Nikon used to make them that way, they were robust and well made, albeit heavy-ish. I was reluctant to get the Zemlin hood as I thought it would be heavier than the original flimsy hood which seemed to weigh almost nothing but I decided to actually check the weight of the Zemlin hood just to see. I get why Nikon went this lighter flimsier hood as light weight has become the new thing - I get it and applaud it. So, I weighed the Nikon hood and the difference (according to Zemlin specs - great that Karl puts the weight in there now!) between the original Nikon and Zemlin hood was only 19 grams according to my scales so - 250gms Nikon hood & 269gms Zemlin hood (from website), I thought for ease of use and robustness, I will get the Zemlin hood - and cap. When there is more weight further to the front of the lens, it makes a bigger difference than weight at the lens mount end and hence why I really didn't want a heavier hood. The lighter weight 400 f2.8E FL VR hood from Zemlin made quite a difference to the handling of that lens as the Zemlin hood was about 100gms less! Anyway, I received the hood and cap two days ahead of schedule thanks to Fedex. I weighed the Zemlin hood with the mounting ring and the weight is basically identical, the Zemlin weighing in at 255gms according to my scales, only a 5gm difference. I am as happy as a pig in the proverbial.

Thank you, Karl, for a great hood and cap. Great engineering my friend, the hood is perfect!
 
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Terry said:
The junky lens hood that came on my Nikon 500 PF has about seen it's last day. I have to make a decision on replacement. The Nikon hood is $60 compared to Zemlin at $135.

Is the difference in price worth it?

The Nikon has a lock preventing it from rotating and falling off, does the Zemlin?

Zemlin offers the hood in two lengths. Obviously the shorter the better in the bag but wonder if anyone has seem a real advantage to the longer hood?

I would appreciate feedback from any that may have walked this path, thanks!

Terry
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I use Zemlin two piece hood. It’s great for a few reasons. It locks securely in place. One section is better in the wind and when it’s on your lap driving around. The shorter configuration fits between the door and gear shift and I clunk fewer things when aiming out the window. Longer is better for rain, snow and sun. Shorter is better for travel. Zemlin accessories are all excellent quality and warranties are for a year. I also use his eyecup and lens cap on a Z600tc.
 
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