What are the best lens hoods for vintage Leica glass?

Question

I just picked up a vintage 35mm Summicron and I'm honestly so nervous about shooting without a hood because the glass is so pristine and I'm heading to NYC for a street project in like five days. I'm torn between hunting down an original 12585 hood or just getting one of those Haoge square ones from Amazon. The Leica ones are pushing $180 right now which feels like a total rip off for a bit of metal but then I'm worried the Haoge won't fit right or it'll block too much of my M6 viewfinder. My logic was that a vented one from Heavystar might be the best compromise but I dont know if they actually stay on well? I dont have much of a budget left after buying the lens so maybe keeping it under $60 is best... what do you guys think?

ResponsibleRaphael · Accepted Answer

Saw this just now and wanted to weigh in. If you're heading to the city, you definitely want something to keep the crowds from bumping your glass. Vented is the way to go if you dont want to lose part of your frame in the finder.Heavystar 39mm Vented Metal Lens Hood: This one is basically the gold standard for cheap Leica hoods. It feels solid, not like some flimsy plastic. Its a screw-in, so it stays put as long as you dont let it vibrate loose. The venting is perfectly cut for an M6.JJC 39mm Screw-in Vented Metal Lens Hood: A bit cheaper and feels slightly lighter. Its decent if you wanna save every cent, but the finish doesnt match the vintage Leica vibe as well as the Heavystar. TL;DR: Grab the Heavystar vented hood. It gives you the protection you need for NYC without that $180 Leica tax.

HonneteHugo · Answer

Honestly dont waste your cash on the original metal if youre on a budget. Ive been super satisfied with the Haoge LH-M36W Square Metal Lens Hood for Leica 35mm Summicron on my own M6.

blocks way less of the finder than youd think

build quality is actually solid metal

fits perfectly without any wiggling Seriously, save that extra $120 for film instead... it looks way sleeker anyway and does the job just fine.