Should I use a Hasselblad pro shade/compendium?

crumpet8 · Feb 17, 2017

so I have been shooting a lot in the studio lately and use a regular hood for my C lenses. Recently upgraded an old 80mm lens to a CF version and don't have a hood that fits.

My question is a beginners question. Is the compendium better than the regular hood or just more versatile (as it can adjusted to be used with various lenses)? Is it worth buying one?

For further clarification the hood I have is b50 and fits my 150mm lens, but I believe came with the 80mm C lens originally.

bdial · Feb 17, 2017

It is "better" in that you can adjust it your exact need. But, they are a bit fussy to use, mostly because of the size and the masks needed for each lens. I used one regularly on the first Hasselblad kit I had (many moons ago). I have one with my current kit too, but rarely use it. If your camera is going to sit in a studio on a tripod most of the time, it probably won't be bad to work with. If you're packing and unpacking the camera, maybe not so much.

Be aware that there are several incarnations and they use different mounting rings for the front of the lens. Incomplete ones are not hard to find, and not expensive, but finding the right rings to attach it to the lens can be challenging.

I'd recommend one of the folding ones if you're considering being mobile with the kit.

BrianShaw · Feb 17, 2017

I find the convenience and efficacy of the fixed lens shades make them more desireable than the adjustable type. If your okay with knock-offs they are very affordable. But with careful shopping the read-deal can be had quite affordabley.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 17, 2017

My thoughts: if you have or can easily get the hood you need, get the hood.

I have hoods for all my Hasselblad lenses, but have the Hasselblad pro compendium shade as well. I have to say it looks very impressive.

Leigh B · Feb 17, 2017

I have a compendium shade with masks as part of a very complete Hassy kit.

The shade seldom gets used.

It's nice under certain conditions when you need to block light from a very specific point, like a strobe head in the studio.
Under more general illumination I find it less convenient than the fixed hoods.

- Leigh

Sirius Glass · Feb 17, 2017

I have hoods for all my Hasselblad lenses including the SWC. Bur I do not have the Hasselblad pro compendium shade. I do not miss the pro compendium shade.

crumpet8 · Feb 17, 2017

Are there differences between the hoods? For example does it say somewhere that a certain hood is for a certain lens? Apart from mount type of course.,, Not with my camera at the moment...

It seems the consensus so far is that the hoods are just as good for 99 percent of cases...

Bdial - hey again do you mean each mount type or each different lens even though they may both be b50 for example?

BrianShaw · Feb 17, 2017

They come in the various bayonet size, of course. For B-60 there is one for 80mm, another for 150/250,and I think one for 50 mm lenses.

Sirius Glass · Feb 17, 2017

BrianShaw said:
They come in the various bayonet size, of course. For B-60 there is one for 80mm, another for 150/250,and I think one for 50 mm lenses.

And one for the 38mm SWC, one for the 350mm, and one for the 500mm lenses.

MattKing · Feb 17, 2017

Just to be difficult....
I use a compendium hood for my Mamiya RB67. It fits perfectly into the bottom corner of my bag, and works with every single lens I have.
One hood, instead of several bulky ones.

ac12 · Feb 18, 2017

I have both the solid hoods and the compendium.
I take the solid hoods outside, as it is easy to use in a fluid outdoor environment. I only have 3 lenses, so carrying 3 hoods is not a problem.
The compendium stays inside or a controlled environment, as it is bulky, and is a hassle to use (for me).
So they both have their place in the tool box. Like a craftsman, select and use the right tool for the job.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 18, 2017

crumpet8 said:
so I have been shooting a lot in the studio lately and use a regular hood for my C lenses. Recently upgraded an old 80mm lens to a CF version and don't have a hood that fits.

My question is a beginners question. Is the compendium better than the regular hood or just more versatile (as it can adjusted to be used with various lenses)? Is it worth buying one?

For further clarification the hood I have is b50 and fits my 150mm lens, but I believe came with the 80mm C lens originally.

I have one but never used it.The regular plastic hoods seem to be easier and more convenient to use for me;just wish they weren't so expensive but 2nd hand is OK.

Chris Livsey · Feb 18, 2017

CF lens hoods are mostly multi tasked.
40668 38-60
40670 80 (single lens)
40673 100-250
40693 40 (93mm fit single lens)
40703 350-500 (93mm fit)

So if you have an extensive collection the compendium replaces 5 separate hood sizes, more if you count each lens, it is also useful if you use a lot of filters of the 75mm or 100mm square type.
It is bulky in use if going hand held in particular and I have never found it to produce a noticeable difference in real life shooting. However I do use it indoors when point light sources can be anywhere and I am shooting on the tripod and it does look cool

Apologies for the none film back.

The Chinese copies are reasonable quality and so inexpensive I have a hood on each lens rather than swopping around.

crumpet8 · Feb 18, 2017

Chris Livsey said:
CF lens hoods are mostly multi tasked.
40668 38-60
40670 80 (single lens)
40673 100-250
40693 40 (93mm fit single lens)
40703 350-500 (93mm fit)

So if you have an extensive collection the compendium replaces 5 separate hood sizes, more if you count each lens, it is also

The Chinese copies are reasonable quality and so inexpensive I have a hood on each lens rather than swopping around.

Thanks for the detailed response Chris at the moment I only have two lenses but do t have a hood at all for my b60 80mm. Maybe I'll pick one up for that lens as opposed to getting a regular hood and a cheap 77mm lens hood for travel

Chris Livsey · Feb 18, 2017

crumpet8 said:
Thanks for the detailed response Chris at the moment I only have two lenses but do t have a hood at all for my b60 80mm. Maybe I'll pick one up for that lens as opposed to getting a regular hood and a cheap 77mm lens hood for travel

Always a pleasure to share, the Chinese models are around 15 UK pounds on the auction site including p&p no reason not to have one !!

Sirius Glass · Feb 18, 2017

Some of my lenses are stored with the lens hood on. The others have the lens hood turned around to conserve space, but the come out with the lens and I just snap them on. These hoods are sufficient and I have never had the need for the compendium which I am sure is a useful product.

Should I use a Hasselblad pro shade/compendium?

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