Author Topic: rubber lens 'bumper' (Read 3837 times)

stockastic · « **on:** February 25, 2011, 22:03 »

I want to do some night photos looking out through window glass. The reason for this is that I live in Minneapolis and we have a lot of glass 'skyways' connecting the buildings so people can get around in the winter. The skyways give interesting views of the streets at night.

To keep the camera still I need to brace the lens against the glass, so some sort of rubber lens hood could serve as a bumper. The catch is that I need to angle the camera somewhat, so the lens wouldn't be flat against the glass.

I need a gadget that will bumper the lens against the glass but be adaptable to different angles. And the lens has to be quite close to the glass to avoid reflections and glare.

Any ideas from any of you experienced street photographers?

Clivia · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2011, 02:18 »

I have a few rubber lens hoods that work in this situation. They both protect the lens and stop glare. I got them for shooting through glass cages and fish tanks.
I bought mine some years ago from Jessops in the UK.
Be very careful not to restrict the movement of a zoom lens as you are close to the glass, it can cause damage.

http://www.jessops.com/Directory/catalogue.ashx/$s=rubber%20lens%20hood

I cannot get the link to work, just search the site!

stockastic · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2011, 12:20 »

Thanks clivia. Is a hood like this 'soft' enough that you can tilt (angle) the camera somewhat, while still keeping it still and blocking the glare? Of course the only way to find out will be to get one - but I'm wondering if anyone knows of a hood that's soft and squishy enough to conform to the glaass at an angle.

leaf · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2011, 16:51 »

If you have a shutter time of any length it is REALLY hard to hold the camera still even if you are pushing it against a piece of glass. I think if you were angling it as well it would be almost impossible.... or are you able to use a tripod as well?

stockastic · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2011, 17:05 »

Quote from: leaf on February 26, 2011, 16:51

If you have a shutter time of any length it is REALLY hard to hold the camera still even if you are pushing it against a piece of glass. I think if you were angling it as well it would be almost impossible.... or are you able to use a tripod as well?

I don't want to lug a tripod around for this one too many transients and weirdos in the skyways, in the winter, I don't need the hassles and questions. I want to cover a lot of ground on foot and look for interesting shots.

I'm pretty resourceful about finding ways to brace a camera with my hands, arms etc and I think I'd succeed with a rubber bumper if I pressed the camera against the glass at 90 degrees and got full contact with the rubber. But at other angles, you are probably right.

[Fantasizing about inventing some insanely clever gadget to make this work...]

leaf · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2011, 17:25 »

you need to make a suction cup

stockastic · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2011, 17:29 »

Maybe a triangle of rods with a suction cup at each corner and a ball head suspended in the center. Anything weird-looking though is likely to lead to a scene with a couple of donut cops.

OM · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2011, 13:06 »

Black card A4 size. Cut hole in centre large enough for the lens to pass through. Place on lens and add lens hood to stop it falling off when you tilt the camera. Should prevent reflections of interior lights.

UncleGene · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2011, 13:18 »

There is one problem with pressing lens to the glass with rubber hoods - it works fine with primes, but with zoom it will force you to the widest position, where angled position of the hood can cause significant vignetting