If the lens hood is indeed metal, another concern may be the metal filings and sawdust. It is not as forgiving as that of fibrous plastic. But with some creativity there should be ways to still protect the inner cylinder as you cut.
Guest
10-Jul-2008 21:38
It looks like you may be able to remove the hood without cutting. Ask a technician at a local store if you're not sure. If not, I would cut 1mm below the surface of the edge of the front element, that's if you are comfortable with a metal hand saw. I was a carpenter for several years, so I've had a little practice. I did not feel uncomfortable at all cutting the lens hood off my Nikkor 10.5mm - but then it is made of a polyfiber (not metal) and actually cuts relatively easily. I may buy this lens because zooming in would be great - if so I would certainly cut off the lens hood again. The only problem without the lens hood is that you have to be very careful not knocking the exposed front element against things. On the Nikkor I remove and replace my lens cap before and after every shot.
