Air travel is more difficult than ever before; it seems carry-on policy, size and weight restrictions, and additional fees imposed change daily. We need to save every ounce of weight and space possible while trying to safely transport our gear to and from location. To this end I had been placing my long lens hoods within my checked luggage, and although I stood them on end, all the hoods exhibit stress fractures from baggage handling. 

Enter the Aqua Tech SoftHood solution; lightweight, collapsible and damage resistant it has proved a superior alternative to traveling with the manufacturers' round hard hood. The SoftHood conveniently lies flat for easy packing. Attaching the hood is quick and easy via compression straps with a “hook and loop” flap to the lens, a rubber channel firmly seats the hood preventing movement after attachment; the stiff batten-like ribbing within the fabric makes the hood strong and ridged enough to stand on end when in use. 

Over the past few months I have traveled the globe using Aqua Tech SoftHood sizes for both 300/500, and 400/600 mm lenses. In short, traveling with the SoftHood use greatly reduces my equipment anxiety, and although some may consider the hood a luxury item, I find them well worth the additional piece of mind.  Highly Recommended!

See you in the field or at the computer,

Chas

Read about Chas and his killer "Shoot The Light" workshops here.