Being the proud new owner of an 80-200 f2.8 AFD. I felt obliged to add the HB-7 lens hood. I was surprised that the lens did not come with the hood and distraught when I heard that Nikon wants ~$39 for it. This is just a little scrap of plastic, the cost to Nikon can't be more than 50 cents. The hood that came (free) with my Tamron 28-200 f3.5-5.6 looks better quality. And the Tamron lens cost a third of what the Nikon did. Now the 80-200 is by far the best lens I have ever owned, I'm overjoyed. But does some third party make a lens hood that would work as well (and charge $10 for it..) or do I have to buy Nikons offering. Do I really need the hood? I have been able to use the lens in bright daylight yet - just cloudy weather. Craig Boyle Human Factors Manager VeriFone Inc
