Originally Posted by
LabRat
I use a GVII frequently (Graflok) and was given a couple of Polaroid MP-3 hoods that barely mated to each other, but noticed some other issues that can come up...
The point that secures the hood to the GG frame is the clips on the vertical edges of the spring that holds down the GG, in the little slot in the middle... The pins on the viewer housing go under the spring, and it's a tight (barely) fit... The SG/CG Graflok is the same, but I never had the camera with the spring back, so I don't know if the hood can fit in the GG opening on those...
Even when it fits, things I noticed were that the hood has some weight to it, and when used in any other orientation than down shooting, there's a chance the GG frame will not be pressing correctly against the back insuring correct focus... Barely, but be careful... It would be much better if hood was secured to camera somehow...
Hood itself is fairly large, and would be bulky to carry into field...
Mirror in hood has popped out on both hoods I have, and should be re-secured before use...
Hoods only can be used in a horizontal orientation shots...
Hoods provide moderate magnification, but harder to use for spots you want to use a higher powered loupe at... These like bright light to focus, like on a well lit copy stand... Severe swings & tilts can dim veiwing of edges or areas...
I still use mine for downshooting macro subjects on a copy stand, but plan in the future to build some "photoman" bellows device (with a larger magnifier on end) that has some flex to move eyepiece around to see edges/corners, even if some tilting is needed... I'm tempted to get one of those rubber bellows boots used on the base of floor shifters from a sports car as a part... ;-)
Steve K
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