Are there smaller/shorter 500mm hoods?

Even though I initially said I would never do it, I am occasionally now taking my 500 VR out in my kayak for bird photography. I am finding that the stock hood is making it very difficult to pull in and out of the cockpit, and in and out of my dry bag. I realize I could shoot without the hood on, but it leaves the glass rather exposed and vulnerable. I have a neoprene sock front cover, but like to leave the lens laying on the neoprene dry bag between my legs when I am actively shooting. If I could get a hood that fits and is half as long (or shorter) it would make it more manageable. Anyone know if such a beast exists? Or any way I could make one?

Thanks

I believe the Canon one for the 500mm F4 is shorter but I´m not sure it´ll fit the threading on your lens. I´ve seen some 105mm diameter lens hoods on ebay but not anything bigger.
If you had access to some thin sheet metal I think you could easily build one.

This might be of help:
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums ... hp?t=25071

Tim,
I seldom paddle on calm water without my 500 (I shoot Canon) and it is often with me in less than calm water. Most of my kayaks are in the 22" to 23.5" wide range and have standard and keyhole cockpits. I leave my extended wimberly plate on my lens foot and hang the camera/lens from the front of the cockpit on the foot. It is a dryer and more quiet way to stow your lens and you can pull it out much easier with the hood attached.

The thermarest dry bag will give you a custom fit for your lens but the inside liner wears easily, the sealline kodiak series makes a bag that is reasonably trim, stoft and pliable, and holds up well. I can just pull a tuck of the bag around the foot and still hang it when it is in the bag. I am not as serious about pictures as most of you on this forum but my camera is a significant part of most trips. This link will take you to several slide shows of birds (mostly taken from a kayak) and kayaking. If you have never used photodex before you will need to download a driver when prompted, it just takes a minute.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalb ... ?bm=169008

(A little hot glue on the inside front edge of the cocpit will create more tack to hold the lens in place (don't create more tack on the outside edge it is a safety hazard)). That size of lens is also a hazard in your kayak so it is something to think about so you will be more likely to work yourself out and not panic if it does entrap you.

How about paintbuckets? (not sure its the right word) - They come in a majority of sizes often made of hard plastic and easy to drill and cut in.

I've been photographing for several years out of my kayak with a 500mm f/4, often out of tight-fitting cockpits. To make the whole kit and its waterproof bag fit more easily between my legs while underway, I had a friend make a short 3-1/2" hood out of carbon fiber. I used a round Costco nut jar for the mold, and he layed on two layers of carbon-fiber. I finished the job by gluing in a strip of 1/4" neoprene on one inside edge. Because the lens has a slight bevel, the new hood slides on snuggly. It only weighs 2.2 oz, a real benefit for hand-held flight shooting. I wrote a photo tip about it on my website: http://www.garyluhm.net/bio/tips_0408.html . The only downside is I have to clean the lens more often, as the short hood sometimes lets in spray.

You'll be pleased with the 500mm from the kayak. It's a quantum leap compared to, say, a 300mm f/4 +1.4x.

Gary
http://www.garyluhm.net

Thanks Gary, that is exactly what I am after . . . . . Wanna make me one

Tim...

I've always thought that there has to be a better alternative to my canon 500mm hood when traveling with my lens and space is at a premium. Last year I purchased a kata rain cover for my 500mm and the solution came to me... The kata cover has a stiff plastic end that wraps around the hood of the 500 and acts almost like a hood extender. I thought it would be great to design a stand alone hood out of a sheet of flexible black plastic which would wrap around the end of the 500 using velco similar to the way the kata cover attaches. I haven't had time to attempt one yet but your question reminded me this is on my todo list.