Step Down Rings for Sony NEX - Hood Alternate

[Erik_A]

Does anyone use Step Down Rings as a Sony NEX 16mm Hood Alternate? I want to do something like pentax did with the 40mm pancake lens hood (but for less than $65.00) so I bought a 49mm - 46mm as well as a 46mm-37mm step down ring. Do you think that this will work?

[etrigan63]

Worth a try but don't forget to factor in the cost of a new lens cap too. CV did something similar on their 40mm pancake SL II lens for Canon/Nikon/Pentax.

[alphaman]

The hood for the 30/3.5 works very well on the 16mm and is very compact.

[Vivek]

Alphaman, That would be awesome (lightweight, functional and sleek)!

Is that available separately?

[Erik_A]

The NEX 30/3.5 macro "hood" (alc-sh113), seems to be a 1/4" plastic extension of the lens with a small rectangle cut-out, attaching to the bayonet mount in front becoming an integrated part of the lens. It isn't sold separately though (maybe directly through Sony).

I don't think that it provides enough hood protection for 16mm though since it is not long enough.

[alphaman]

I haven't seen it listed (yet) as a part or for sale but I think it's probably available from Sony direct. The part number is ALC-SH113.

As to Erik A's comment on protection, I'm not sure what he means; if it's to protect the lens from damage then no hood was designed to do that, however if he means in terms of function, I would expect that it is as good as any wide angle hood.

I haven't noticed any problems with using it and am glad I have one hood that suits both my 30/3.5 and my 16/2.8 and at the same time is small and discrete.

[ken_vs_ryu]

ALC-SH113 is $55 from sony - not in stock.

alphaman would you mind posting a photo of the 16 and the hood?

[alphaman]

Happy to oblige!

[Vivek]

Thanks, alphaman! I think I will ask someone to think about making a similar plastic hood.

Really fabulous!

[Erik_A]

Alphaman - does it vignette the 16mm?

[alphaman]

Originally Posted by Erik_A

Alphaman - does it vignette the 16mm?

No, no vignetting even at f22.

I tried this combination out when I got my 30/3.5 and was pleasantly surprised that it worked.

Flare-wise - I have no alternatives to compare it to (some say that the 18-55 hood will work too), but generally while this hood isn't perfect, it works quite well.

[Vivek]

I checked the 30mm's hood on the 16mm, as alphaman pointed out, it does fit with a bit of tiny force. It isn't as smooth a fit as on the 30mm macro lens.

No vignetting problems at all.

[Erik_A]

Finally got my 49-46 and 46-37 step down rings and a 37mm cap from Hong Kong. See attached photos - I am very happy with the result - just as effective as the Pentax 40mm pancake hood in my OP (and just as awesome looking) What do you think?