Hoya Lens Hood with Fader ND filters
I’ve been using a couple of Fader ND filters with my prime lenses for a while now, the Fader ND’s are useful because they allow you to adjust for bigger lens apertures in daylight conditions without the need to keep swapping filters.
One thing that is a bit annoying when using Fader ND’s though is that it’s no longer possible to attach the Canon sun hoods that are supplied with the lenses.
While I was out shooting some external pickup shots yesterday I experimented with using a Hoya Screw in Rubber lens Hood on my 50mm 1.2 and 35mm 1.4 lenses. It’s quite strange using these on the fader ND because to adjust the level of ND you end up rotating the entire lens hood, it works well though!
The Hoya hoods are able to be set in two positions allowing you to use them with a range of lenses from medium wides out to zooms.
Unfortunately the Hoya hoods only go up to 77mm which means they can only be used on lenses up to 72mm in diameter because the Fader ND’s step up a size. Both my 35mm 1.4 and 50mm 1.2 have a 72mm thread so the 77mm Hoya Hood work well on those. On the 35mm the hood needed to be in it’s closed down setting so that it didn’t appear in the shot on my 5D mark2.
My 24mm 1.4 and 70 – 200 2.8 are 77mm so with a 77mm fader ND fitted the hoods won’t work on those as the required diameter is then 82mm. The 24mm would likely be too wide for the sun hood anyway, plus the Fader ND’s are not recommended on long zooms so you probably wouldn’t want to use the hoods on either of those lenses anyway.
By far the best feature of the Hoya hoods has to be the red line on the end – full on L series looks for just a few $! ;)
Buying in the US: B&H sell the Hoya hoods for around $25.
Buying in the UK: Warehouse express sell the Hoya hoods priced from £12 – £40 depending on size.
If you’re looking for Fader ND filters they can be purchased from B&H for $62 – £139 depending on the lens diameter you need.
HI Paul,
Love the blog,
if i understand you correctly i wont be able to attach this hood to my 77mm fader ND?
if so why is that?
do you know any other hood that would fit my fader ND?
thanks!
Hi Josh.
The Hoya filters only go up to 77mm and a 77mm FaderND has an outer thread size of 82mm so you won’t be able to get one I’m afraid. I’m sure there must be alternatives out there but haven’t looked to be honest.
Do you find the FaderNDs soften your image? Mine does, by quite a bit. Just push the expanded focus while one is on and you can see that sometimes you just can’t get it actually in super focus! I’m still unsure if I have a knock off Fader ND or not….It says NATURE on the side.
Anyway, thanks for this info! Looks like a great way to shade them.
I see, thank you for the reply!
Hi Paul, I currently have a 72mm and 58mm Fader and will also be purchasing a 52mm. I would need 3 Hoya hoods, what sizes would correlate with my set of Faders? Thank you!
Hi Roy.
Personally I’d consider getting a 52 – 58mm step up ring as that will allow you to use your 58mm fader on the 52mm lens as well. The Hoya Hoods need to fit on the outside thread of the faders so you just need to look on the fader itself to check the required size of Hoya hood. Your 72mm will need a 77mm hood, the 58 I’m not sure as I don’t have one.