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Thursday, 31 August 2023

Canon RF 35mm f1.8 macro lens hood and filter options 31 August 2023

 

Canon EOS R5 with RF 35mm f1.8  You can't tell from this photo which has been through a process of downsizing and compression for the internet but the original contains a remarkable amount of detail

The RF 35 mm f1.8 was one of the first four lenses announced with the new RF mirrorless mount system in 2018. It has since then gathered sometimes lukewarm reviews and comments for reasons not clear to me. I have used the 35/1.8 extensively for close-ups, landscape, street and documentary. I have always been impressed by the image quality which his lens can deliver. The only negative I have found is slightly slow-ish autofocus although I cannot recall that ever preventing me from getting the photo I wanted.

One thing missing from the RF 35/1.8 is a set of lugs at the front of the outer barrel for a bayonet mount lens hood.  By way of difference, the RF 24mm f1.8 which uses an otherwise  identical outer housing does have bayonet lugs included.

The standard Canon hood for the RF 35/1.8 is the EW-52 which screws into either the 52mm filter thread  on the lens or the front thread of a mounted filter. Once mounted the EW-52 can be left in place all the time. If mounted in front of a standard 4mm thick filter no vignetting is apparent. This is probably the most convenient arrangement although it does add 7.5mm to the effective length of the lens.

JJC makes a third party replacement version (JJC LH-EW52) which I use as it is less expensive and does the job just fine.

The alternative hood solution also comes from JJC in the form of the JJC-LH-RF35F18. This solution comes with a press fit ring with bayonet mount which fits tightly onto the front of the outer lens barrel in the space which could (should ?) have housed a built-in bayonet mount. We press the bayonet ring into place firmly, making sure to orient it correctly so the filter will sit correctly. The petal type hood now mounts either facing out for photography or facing in for transport. The arrangement works well enough although seating the hood in the lugs can require a bit of jiggling at times. And we have to mount the hood facing out for photos then re-mount it facing inwards for compact dimensions when carrying. Alternatively we can leave the hood facing outwards which greatly increases the length in a camera bag.

I have used both hoods. They both serve their purpose.

Take your pick.

 


EW-52 type hood in place

Both bayonet/petal type and round type hoods in place to illustrate relative sizes.

 

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