HOOCAPS... (Yes - that's what I thought too!!)

I just saw a side ad on the site for the above named product link, and thought I'd have a look. The concept of this product appeals, but sadly they do not (at the moment) support Pentax lenses!

I've emailed the company to find out if there are plans for such, and as soon as I get a response, I'll let you know.

Just in case any of you have never heard of a Hoocap - it's a combination of lens cap and lens hood. The link will give you a bit more of an explanation though.

Just received a response to my email. Here it is, verbatim:

Dear Mr. Steven Rowan,



thank you for your message and your interest in Hoocap.



Hoocap is quite a new product and at the moment unfortunately we do not have a Hoocap for Pentax and third party lenses right now. But we are developing more Hoocap models and we want to extend our lines to third party lenses and Pentax, too.



What lenses would you like a Hoocap for? If you send me a short message, I will put them on our wish-list for future development.



As we are quite new in the European market we are just building up distribution in Europe. At this time we ship from Germany to the UK if you buy in our online shop: http://shop.hoocap.de/en/



But we would prefer to build up a distribution with local suppliers. Perhaps you have a recommendation on high quality and good service suppliers in the UK that could help to bring Hoocap closer to you?



Best regards



Markus Selders



PS: If you want to stay tuned on new Hoocap models and supported lenses, just subscribe to our newsletter:

http://shop.hoocap.de/en/newsletter



Since Markus is looking for lens suggestions, let's give him a few suggestions, if you are also interested in this gizmo. Their web prices appear reasonable too (about 40 Euros per lens cap for the CaNikons).

Maybe they ought to try a threaded version.

Great idea but having looked at the prices - even if they had Pentax fit - think I will wait for the Chinese version

Their manufacturing base is TAIWAN!!

I know - ebay has pages of them - you can buy from Germany or Taiwan

Latest response from Markus:

We thought about a threaded version, too. But it is not as simple as it seems as we would lose control over the angle Hoocap is mounted in. This has to be exact to avoid vignetting.



I will also keep an eye on the thread you opened to get further insight on customer needs.



Best regards



Markus

I'd have thought that they'll run into patent issues if they try to copy the clip-on Pentax hood mount design.

I'd imagine they'd engineer it in a way that doesn't breach any copyrights. Either that, or they would possibly seek co-operation with Ricoh Pentax. They already make Hoocaps for Canon and Nikon, and as far as I'm aware, they haven't run into any infringement problems.

Apologies for starting a separate thread - I missed this but came to the same conclusions as you and sent an email to the contact before I read this! I didn't think the prices were too bad when you consider what Pentax charge for replacement hoods and lens caps. I might find it worth it just for the conveniense.
Dave

The clip on lens hood has been around for so long that I doubt very much that patents will be a problem. Many manufacturers use them, including those Chinese manufacturers that make replacement hoods.

This new design, which isn't that new really, seems quite bulky and vulnerable, and I wonder what the benefit really is. We already get a perfectly efficient hood and cap with almost all lenses, so where's the problem?

I think the benefits are that the HOOCAP offers something slightly different to the " run of the mill" accessories. Some may see the limitations - others see the benefits - horses for courses, so to speak.

What's the benefit ?

John , for those of us with a degree of limitation of dexterity, having lens hood and cap combined would be a god send - no more fiddling trying to get the hood on [ after all this time I still find it hard to get it in place on the Tamron 18-250 and as for reversing it ....... ]

Fair enough. When you want to put the camera in its case, what happens to the hood? Personally I don't reverse it on to the lens, but it has its own place in the Billingham Hadley Pro. In this case, the camera + hood certainly won't fit as-is into the bag, so it will have to be removed. Then I'll still need a lens cap.

All I'm saying is for my way of working I'm struggling to see how it would fit in. So how would others approach these sort of issues?

AH - well you see the centre section of my LowPro Event Messenger 250 neatly takes the K30 with the Tamron 18-250 mounted and with the hood reversed and on the lens and there's still some airspace between the lens and the bottom of the case , and that leaves the two side sections [ internal of course - I don't put anything in the 2 external side pockets ] for lenses and the Flash Unit if I'm taking it