Best Lens Hood for Meike Lenses
Meike lenses are the unsung heroes of the budget photography world, offering impressive sharpness for a fraction of the cost of first-party glass. However, they often ship with flimsy plastic hoods—or worse, none at all. After years of shooting with these manual-focus gems, I’ve found that stray light is their biggest enemy. The right hood doesn’t just block flare; it protects your front element. I’ve tested several options, and the Haoge Metal Screw-in remains my top recommendation for its durability and classic feel.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Lens Hood for Meike Lenses: Detailed Reviews
Haoge Screw-in Metal Hood View on Amazon View on B&H
If you own a Meike 35mm f/1.7 or the popular 50mm f/1.2, you know these lenses feel substantial and metallic. The Haoge Screw-in Metal Hood is the only accessory that truly matches that build quality. Unlike plastic clip-ons, this hood threads directly into the filter ring, providing a rock-solid connection that won’t pop off in your bag. I find that the matte interior finish is exceptionally good at absorbing stray light, which is crucial since Meike’s older coatings can be prone to “ghosting” when shooting toward the sun. It gives your mirrorless setup a gorgeous, vintage rangefinder aesthetic while offering genuine impact protection. Just be sure to match the thread size (usually 49mm or 52mm for Meike primes). The only downside is that you cannot reverse it for storage, but it’s compact enough that you likely won’t need to.
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Fotasy Dedicated Petal Hood View on Amazon View on B&H
For those using the Meike 12mm f/2.8 or the 25mm f/1.8, a standard round hood can sometimes cause dark corners (vignetting). The Fotasy Dedicated Petal Hood is the perfect middle ground between price and performance. It uses a petal or “tulip” design, which is engineered to block light from the top and sides while staying out of the way of the wide-angle frame’s corners. In my experience, Fotasy’s plastics are surprisingly resilient; they don’t feel brittle like the generic “no-name” hoods found on auction sites. It includes a locking ring that allows you to orient the petals perfectly, ensuring you don’t accidentally block the sensor. It’s an essential upgrade for landscape photographers who want to maximize contrast in high-glare environments without spending more than the lens is worth. It’s lightweight, functional, and gets the job done without any fuss.
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Altura Universal Rubber Hood View on Amazon View on B&H
If you have a bag full of Meike lenses with different focal lengths, the Altura Universal Rubber Hood is a lifesaver. This hood is made of high-quality silicone that can be collapsed into three different positions. Why does this matter? You can fully extend it for a telephoto lens like the Meike 85mm, or collapse it halfway for a 35mm to prevent vignetting. When you’re done, it folds completely flat against the lens, meaning you don’t even have to take it off to put your camera back in its case. I often use these when shooting through glass (like at an aquarium) because you can press the rubber directly against the window to eliminate reflections. The limitation is purely aesthetic; it’s not as “cool” looking as a metal hood, and it can collect a bit of lint over time. However, for sheer utility, it’s unbeatable.
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Vello Dedicated Bayonet Hood View on Amazon View on B&H
The Meike 85mm f/1.8 is one of their few autofocus lenses, and it deserves a hood that matches its professional aspirations. The Vello Dedicated Bayonet Hood is designed to mimic the high-end accessories from Canon or Nikon. Unlike screw-in hoods, this one clicks into the outer bayonet mount of the lens, leaving your filter threads free for polarizers or ND filters. This is a huge workflow advantage. The interior is felt-lined or textured to maximize light absorption, which I found noticeably improved the micro-contrast in my portrait sessions. It’s reversible, so it stores snugly around the lens barrel when not in use. While it’s more expensive than a generic screw-in, the convenience of the bayonet system and the superior flare protection make it a “buy once, cry once” investment for serious portrait photographers using Meike glass.
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JJC Square Metal Screw-in Hood View on Amazon View on B&H
For the Meike 25mm f/1.8 or the 35mm f/1.4, sometimes a round hood just doesn’t feel right. The JJC Square Metal Hood provides that iconic Leica-style rectangular look that is so popular in street photography. Beyond aesthetics, the rectangular shape is actually more efficient at blocking light that matches the 3:2 aspect ratio of your camera sensor. I find this hood particularly useful because it comes with a dedicated slide-on cap, so you don’t have to fumble with your original lens cap while the hood is attached. The build is exceptionally sturdy—I’ve bumped mine against brick walls while weaving through crowds, and it didn’t even scratch. It’s a bit bulkier than a slim round hood, but the combination of style, protection, and the superior “hood cap” makes it a favorite for many Meike enthusiasts.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose a Lens Hood for Meike Lenses
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haoge Metal | Primes | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Fotasy Petal | Wide Angle | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Altura Rubber | Travel | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Vello Bayonet | 85mm AF | ★★★★★ | Check |
| JJC Square | Street Style | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these hoods work with my Meike lens cap?
It depends on the design. Most screw-in metal hoods have a narrower front than the thread size, meaning your original 52mm cap won’t fit inside a 52mm hood. You’ll often need to buy a cap that fits the front of the hood or use a “hood cap” like the one provided with the JJC Square model. However, dedicated bayonet hoods allow you to keep using your original lens cap without any issues.
Do Meike lenses suffer from flare without a hood?
Yes, particularly the older manual focus designs. While Meike has improved their multi-coating (MC) technology recently, their lenses are still more susceptible to veiling flare and “rainbow” artifacts when a strong light source is just outside the frame. A hood is the single most effective way to improve the contrast and color saturation of your Meike lenses, especially when shooting outdoors in daylight.
Can I use a hood and a filter at the same time?
Yes! With screw-in hoods, you simply screw your filter (like a UV or CPL) onto the lens first, and then screw the hood into the front of the filter. Keep in mind that stacking a filter and a hood on a wide-angle lens like the Meike 12mm might cause vignetting. For lenses 35mm and longer, stacking is usually perfectly fine and provides an extra layer of protection.
What is the difference between a petal and a round hood?
A petal (or tulip) hood has cutouts designed to accommodate the rectangular shape of the camera sensor. This allows the “petals” to be longer on the top and bottom to block more light without appearing in the corners of your photo. Round hoods are generally used for longer focal lengths (50mm+) where the angle of view is narrow enough that vignetting isn’t a concern even with a full cylinder.
How do I find my Meike lens thread size?
Look at the very front of the lens around the glass element. You will see a circle with a slash through it (ø) followed by a number, such as 49, 52, or 67. That number is the millimeter size you need for your hood. If it’s not on the lens, check the inside of your lens cap. Common Meike sizes: 35mm f/1.7 (49mm), 25mm f/1.8 (49mm), 50mm f/1.7 (52mm).
Final Verdict
For most Meike users, the Haoge Metal Hood is the clear winner; it matches the lens’s tactile feel and provides the best flare protection for primes. If you’re a landscape enthusiast using wider Meike glass, the Fotasy Petal Hood is a smarter choice to avoid vignetting. Travelers should look toward the Altura Rubber Hood for its packability. Ultimately, any hood is better than none for these lenses, as it significantly boosts image contrast and protects your investment.