LEE Filters 100 Hood at a glance:
- For LEE100 Filter Holder
- Water resistant design
- Extendable bellows
- Independent rotation control
- 269g (488g including clamshell case)
- www.leefilters.com
When LEE Filters redesigned its filter holder for the LEE100 system two years ago, it enhanced the experience of working with filters in several ways. Now the firm has designed a hood for the LEE100 holder. Like a standard lens hood it shields stray light hitting the front of the lens, which could otherwise result in unwanted glare, flare and a loss of contrast in images.
The LEE Filters 100 Hood is designed to clip onto the LEE Filters 100 filter holder
LEE Filters 100 Hood key features:
- Polariser: The hood can be used with the LEE100 polariser, but it does make it harder to access and control
- Tiltable: The hood can be tilted accurately to remove side lighting or prevent glare hitting the lens
- Hood lock: Allows the hood to be rotated and removed from the adjustment ring for speedy and easy attachment
- Weight: The LEE100 hood adds 269g to the weight of the LEE100 holder
To mount the hood you’re required to place the filter holder face down onto the rear of the hood, so the spring release is positioned opposite the hood lock. Once it’s located in the recess, the four blue clips can be pulled up to the required height before they’re rotated to secure the hood in place. This may sound complicated, but it’s incredibly easy and takes just a few seconds.
The height of the blue clips may need to be adjusted before it is attached to the filter holder
With the hood mounted, the holder can then be attached to the lens adaptor ring in the usual way. Filters are inserted into the gap between the holder and the hood, and by unclipping the hood lock it’s possible to rotate the hood independently from the holder – something you might want to do if you’d like to angle a grad filter but keep the hood level.
The bellows of the hood are well made and let you adjust the level of shielding to your liking. Always keep a hand on the camera when the bellows are being adjusted, though, to avoid disturbing your composition, or worse, knocking your setup over.
By unclipping the blue hood lock it’s possible to rotate the hood independently from the holder
I tested the hood with the Nikon Z7 II coupled to the Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens and experienced no vignetting at 14mm with two filters loaded in the holder and the bellows set to their widest position.
How far you’re able to extend the bellows before the hood creeps in at the edge of the frame requires some trial and error. I was able to shoot at 20mm without vignetting with the bellows half extended. Extending the bellows fully required me to zoom in to around 30mm to remove the dark edges around the perimeter of the frame.
Protection
Although the hood is well constructed, it does have some plastic parts that could get damaged if it’s mistreated. To ensure the hood remains well protected on your travels it comes supplied in a weather resistant and softly lined clamshell case. This is rather thick and bulky, so be prepared for it to take up a good amount of space in your bag.
The clamshell case that’s supplied will prevent damage to the bellows and blue plastic clips
LEE Filters 100 Hood: Our Verdict
Although it’s expensive, the LEE100 hood does what it’s designed to do well. Fundamentally, it offers photographers who shoot outdoors with the LEE100 system adjustable control over how stray light is shielded – something that not all filter systems offer.
The LEE Filters 100 Hood scoops AP’s recommended award
It doubles up as a great way of protecting filters against rain and sea spray, but you’ll want to drape a cloth over the gap between holder and hood to keep filters completely dry. For regular users of the LEE100 system it’s an accessory I’d thoroughly recommend.
