Lens hood question

[southernbelle_amy]

I recently bought a "universal" lens hood for my 18-55 kit lens. Should be the right size, the guy at the camera store helpe, an it does fit. It comes with 2 parts the hood and a circular attachment, that is suppose to help with storing it. Anyway when I put it on, I believe correctly (?), if I zoom in you can see the hood, it "vignettes" it. What am I doing wrong, or is it just because it is generic? Thanks. IF I take the circular part off it doesn't do that.

[MassJester]

IF I take the circular part off it doesn't do that.

Then I would do that.

[C&B Young]

The genuine Canon hood for the 18-55 lens looks like this (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-2639A002-EW-60C-Lens-Hood/dp/B00009R6UU). I've got a $2 generic version of it ($18 for a ring of plastic, no thank you!). If you're experiencing vignetting then I'd think the hood is too big for the lens itself. If the hood still does its job without the circular part you mentioned, then I agree with the previous poster and go without it.

[boBQuincy]

A hood for a 18-55 is quite a compromise and maybe the manufacturer add the second piece for the longer focal lengths. I have the Canon hood and it is so short that it probably does little good to prevent flare. It does protect the lens though.

[southernbelle_amy]

It's for a Nikon D5000 camera. Anyways, I just didn't know if it would "hurt it" not to have that piece.

[ukcatfan]

Is it a petal shape or just plain round? With a kit lens a petal shape is more likely to work correctly. If the front element rotates that could be a frustration though.