How to Adjust Hoods for Rotating Filters

USING A LENS HOOD WITH A ROTATING FILTER

I often use a polarizer and neutral graduated filters. These filters rotate to different positions, depending on the effect desired. The recent trend to deep, scalloped lens hoods (tulip shaped) present a problem with these filters. Because the lens hood is so deep, it's almost impossible to reach the filter ring. As a practical matter, these filters must be used with the hood removed. You could attach the hood after adjusting the filter, but most photographers I have observed simply don't use the hood when using rotating filters.

If the hood had a small opening at the rear, just enough for the photographer to adjust the filter with one finger, the process would be much easier. Since most lens hoods today are plastic, adding such an opening is an easy procedure. All it takes is careful use of a rotary grinding tool (Dremel, or similar).