Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood for 55-200mm DX Nikkor Lens

Bought this Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood when the original Nikon HB-37 Lens Hood was bumped off the end of my Nikkor zoom lens by someone with protruding elbows while shooting photos from a bridge. That original hood had served me well, though the fit was a bit loose. But as I saw it sailing off the bridge into the water below, was glad that at least I had a good camera strap. It was a lesson learned the hard way. Saw the Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood for 55-200mm DX Nikkor Lens listed here on Amazon, and though it wasn't the same as the original one for my Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens , thought that it might be worth a try. After two years in constant use, can say that it was a was a good choice. Not sure why, but the original 'round' HB-37 lens hood never was a good tight fit on my lens. At the time that I bought the zoom lens, this HB-37 hood came with it, so I shrugged it off and kept using it. There was a bit of looseness to it in the way that it fit even when double checked; the bayonet mount wouldn't go as tight as one might hope. But this HB-34 lens hood has always had a good precision fit, one that one would expect from Nikon, and it continues to do so to this day. As far as lens performance goes, it's flower-type design works well for reducing the non-essential light falling onto the front lens element, especially when a filter is attached. Using a circular polarizer can be a bit tricky the first time, but the bayonet mount helps quite a bit as you can remove the hood, rotate the polarizer for maximum saturation, then mount the hood again without having lost the optimum position with the polarizer. It should be noted that I've never experienced vignetting with this hood or with the original HB-37 hood when used with the 55-200mm Nikkor zoom, but it's not advised to use it with shorter focal lengths. The HB-34 hood can be reversed on the zoom lens when you're ready to stow it in your camera bag, but you'll have to run the lens out slightly towards it's telephoto range when you do so, or it won't fit. Have been doing this since the time that I bought it here and have had no problems storing it that way. The Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood has been a good one for the 55-200mm DX Nikkor lens, and is a far better fit than the HB-34 lens hood. For some the HB-34 hood may have more of a professional cosmetic appeal, but its real benefit is in its functionality. Highly recommended as a replacement. 10/14/2012

I got this, when i needed a lense hood and was hoping it would fit both of my lenses for my Nikon. Unfortunately it only fit one of my lenses. But none the less it was a good price and also looks good on my camera as well.

For some reason, this level of the Nikon lenses do not come with a hood - which is peculiar as it would only cost them a few cents more. They are not that prone to lens flare without it - but it did happen hence my purchase of this item. It is a simple bayonet style mount - you push it on and turn it a few degrees to lock in place. Removal is the reverse. It is low profile enough not to make the lens subatinally longer, is very light in weight and does its job. I have not used the knock-off's - they are less but don't mount as secularly. I truly think you would be better off buying this item rather than an offbrand to save a few dollars.

I ordered this hood because I wanted something a little professional looking on my lens. The original wasn't that bad but I just didn't like they way it looked. Sure it helped cut out some garbage light but to it was cutting out too much. I like a nice clean frame as much as the next guy but I do like some flare here and there. The build quality is decent and feels sturdy. It does have a slight cheap feel to it but I can work past that. Now, I work in mold injection so I notice certain things about plastic products that most don't. I can see where they cut the gate and it looks like it was cut by hand. You can also see the lines where the mold cores join (parting lines) it is visible but not from a distance. Your subject you're taking a photo of wont notice it but up close you can clearly see them. It does lock in nice and has a slight rattle to it (but so did the original hood) and it doesn't bother me personally but it might for someone else. I haven't had it be visible in any of my shots. I did slowly go through my different focal lengths and didn't see it creep in the edge of the shot. Other than those minor observations I made, it is a nicely built product. The price is just right and the quality almost matches it. I'm happy with this purchase.

,I'm using this on the 55-200 VR II, the newish lens that has a button on the lens barrel to lock in retracted position/release from locked position. The hood attaches easily and securely and stays put. The lens does retract and lock with this hood in place. You cannot, however, reverse the hood and snap it in place on the lens and have the lens retract fully. I don't care about this, as I don't often store or transport lenses witf the hood snapped in place -- that just adds time to the process of turning the hood around to the forward position when I want to start shooting. This hood is about half the price of the HB-37 recommended for the VR II version of this lens. .I am a bit leery of that hood, as it has springlike plastic parts that look easy to break. I'm glad that this one works as well as it does.

I bought this lens hood when I bought my 55-200mm, f4-5.6 DX VR Nikkor Lens. That lens DOES come standard with the HB-37 (round style) lens hood. I chose to upgrade to this HB-34 (petal style) lens hood for 2 reasons. 1) There is less chance of a petal style hood causing vignetting (darkening around the corners of your image) when shooting the lens at wider angles. I have never shot the 55-200mm, f4-5.6 DX VR Nikkor with the standard HB-37 hood, so I cannot confirm or deny if it does cause vignetting. I have been shooting the lens for about a month now with the HB-34, and have had no instances of it. 2) The petal style hood looks cooler than the round. This HB-37 mounts very securly to the end of the lens. However as mentioned in other reviews, when mounted backwards for storage, the lens cannot zoom out to 55mm. Personally, this doesnt bother me. I zoom it to about 85mm, mount the hood backwards, and then zoom the lens out until the hood rests gently on the focal ring (about 70mm). As far as I can tell, nothing rubs or scratches when the hood rests on the focus ring, so it doesn't bother me. Summary: Im really happy with the hood!

Very nice original Nikon hood . I needed it quick and it arrived timely . Will do business again

Fits perfectly on my Nikkor 55-200mm lens. Seems to be made a little better than the 3rd part brands, but it's also twice as expensive, the cheaper knock offs will likely perform the same function for less money. Lens hoods are pretty simple things.