Olympus UW Shading Ring, is it necessary?

[zcello]

I haven't got the olympus housing for the EPL1 yet. I notice there's such an accessory:
Olympus UW Shading Ring for Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 Lens

Does it mean we have to have this for any shots that with the pop up flash fired?

It's seem to be a rip off for such a simple accessory, is it possible to use some very simple DIY, i.e. using paper or plastic to make a shading ring and put it in instead?

 

[slowhands]

I haven't got the olympus housing for the EPL1 yet. I notice there's such an accessory:
Olympus UW Shading Ring for Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 Lens

Does it mean we have to have this for any shots that with the pop up flash fired?

It's seem to be a rip off for such a simple accessory, is it possible to use some very simple DIY, i.e. using paper or plastic to make a shading ring and put it in instead?

I agree it's rather high priced, about $32. I have one on my E-520 lens. It is just a filter ring that carries a rubber shield around it, very thin rubber. I don't see why you could not take a rubber collapsable hood for the lens, remove and revers the rubber, and have very much the same effect. Get a 40.5mm rubber hood, reverse the rubber, and possibly trim the outside diameter. Done.

 

[zcello]

I agree it's rather high priced, about $32. I have one on my E-520 lens. It is just a filter ring that carries a rubber shield around it, very thin rubber. I don't see why you could not take a rubber collapsable hood for the lens, remove and revers the rubber, and have very much the same effect. Get a 40.5mm rubber hood, reverse the rubber, and possibly trim the outside diameter. Done.

cheers mate.

I notice that the front of this lens will turn when focusing, would this be an issue if I attach a rubber hood? If this is an issue, how did the original one solve this problem?

 

[slowhands]

cheers mate.

I notice that the front of this lens will turn when focusing, would this be an issue if I attach a rubber hood? If this is an issue, how did the original one solve this problem?

The lens turns. The hood turns. Same as with the official Olympus shade.

Remember, the rubber portion is removed and reversed, so it points back into the housing. It will have to be cut down so it clears the sides of the port, of course. But I think for very slight effort, it will work.

Others have said this is not needed, but Olympus advises it. You'll have to decide...

 

[zcello]

The lens turns. The hood turns. Same as with the official Olympus shade.

Remember, the rubber portion is removed and reversed, so it points back into the housing. It will have to be cut down so it clears the sides of the port, of course. But I think for very slight effort, it will work.

Others have said this is not needed, but Olympus advises it. You'll have to decide...

cheers mate.

The rubber hood of 40.5mm can't be found, do you think if I can use a 40.5mm to 52mm step up adapter instead? would that fit into the housing well?

 

[slowhands]

cheers mate.

The rubber hood of 40.5mm can't be found, do you think if I can use a 40.5mm to 52mm step up adapter instead? would that fit into the housing well?

Try Adorama for $5.95 plus shipping:
LNH405 Adorama 40.5mm Rubber Lens Hood

I noticed severe flare with the kit lens when using it on land. I find myself using the E-PL1 for a lot of shooting, but the flare was pretty bad. So I ordered two of these hoods, one to use to combat flare, the other to modify.

 

[zcello]

thanks, unfortunately i'm in australia

 

[DJvR]

I have also pondered the shading ring question and to date I cannot say that I have seen any difference between pictures taken with and without. However, I have not spent time to do a careful side by side comparison under the same conditions to make this a general statement. What I have noticed though is reflection on the inside of the glass port of the lettering on the front of the lens ring in low contrast images. I have seen this both with a point and shoot and also the Olympus EPL2 with M.Zuiko 9-18 mm lens and Zen port. The shading ring for the 9-18 mm lens does not cover the lettering on the front ring of the lens, whereas the shading ring for the 14-40 mm lens does and therefore solves this problem. Not sure if this was an oversight on Olympus' part or if the viewing angle of the lens at 9 mm precludes an additional surface/ring to cover the lettering. A solution I have found to work well is to simply colour the silver lettering using a black magic marker.
For pictures of the shading rings and the effect described: Snaffus - djvr's Photos

 

[fins]

I have an EPL2 with Zen dome port. When I first purchased the rig the shading ring was on back order. Without the ring I did notice stray light and reflections on "some" of the shots I took. I have not experienced the same since I installed the ring.