Shadow on Photo 18-200mm

[shootme]

Ok; I think I have a problem, can someone help me understand what the problem is or whether it's just a flaw in the lens / hood set-up?

The camera, D300
The Lens Nikon 18-200mm
Hood HB-35

Problem seems to occur when I take pictures between 18 & about 30mm when using the built-in flash. I get this funny black mark you see on the attached photo's. I tested at home and when I take the hood off I don't get this mark between that range? I don't use the built-in flash much but was surprised to see this. Did Nikon give me the wrong hood for the lens? By the way I don't get the mark at 35mm when the hood is on???

Thanks, Peter

[SmartWombat]

Yes, looks like hood shadow.
I get the same on my canon 20D using the EF-S 10-22
If I use an external flash, it goes away.

[shootme]

Strange, why would Nikon provide a hood that did that? Maybe that's why the hood an HB-35 only works from 35mm, or is that just a coincidence?

[Dylan8i]

i get the same thing on a few of my lenses. they are removable for a reason. but remember they only show up when using flash, esp built in flash.

[Frog]

I've had this occur with an 18-135 but it usually happens at longer zoom range as thats when the hood is farther in front of the flash and thus more likely to cause shadow.
One time I discovered I'd managed to put my hood on wrong so that the longer petals were on side instead of on top.
This probably won't happen with an external flash.

[shootme]

Good to know, I thought at first there was something wrong with he lens itself. No big deal I guess, don't need the hood in most situations when I need a flash anyway. Thanks Peter

[Franglais]

On page 354 of my PDF D300 User Guide it says that the built-in flash on the D300 can be used at 18mm on the 18-200. But there is a general warning to remove the lens hood to prevent shadows.

[shootme]

That just goes to show; and who didn't read the manual? I though I was good by reading the getting to know your camera and quick start guide. Thanks Charles for pointing that out...not. Cheers :blush2: :thumbsup:

[Franglais]

I must be honest, I haven't read the whole manual. I came across the information by accident when I was trying out the PDF reader on my smartphone.

My new smartphone (HTC Touch Diamond) has 4GB of flash memory - unused. The PDF reader on Windows Mobile 6 is actually quite usable (unlike pocket Word, Excel, etc). I've downloaded all the PDF files of my equipment onto it, in case I need to look up something one day.