Quick answer

Choose a SquareHood if you want tighter flare control, the ability to use a 43mm filter under the hood, and a compact, integrated look on compatible Fujifilm or Voigtlander lenses. Choose a round hood if you need a simple, low-cost solution that works across many filter sizes and you do not mind a bulkier profile. The right pick depends on your lens, your filter habits, and how much you value a seamless fit.

How shape changes flare control and handling

Square hoods like the SquareHood models are cut to match the rectangular image area of your sensor, so they block more stray light from the top, bottom, and sides without intruding into the corners. Round hoods are symmetrical and easier to manufacture, but they often need to be wider or longer to achieve similar shading, which adds bulk. In practice, a well-matched square hood can reduce flare and ghosting more effectively for the same front-to-back depth, and it tends to look like part of the lens rather than an add-on.

Handling also differs. Square hoods can obstruct the optical viewfinder on rangefinder-style cameras if they are not designed with a cutout or window. The SquareHood Model V for Fuji X100 cameras includes a small window to minimise viewfinder obstruction, while the SquareHood for Voigtlander X mount lenses is a simpler design. Round hoods rarely block the viewfinder because they are narrower at the top, but they can still cast a shadow when using the built-in flash.

Filter use and mounting systems

Filter compatibility is a key differentiator. The SquareHood for Voigtlander X mount 27mm f2 and 18mm f2.8 can be used with a 43mm filter, and the SquareHood Model V for Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 and XF 35mm f2 also lets you use a 43mm filter under the hood. That means you can keep a protective or creative filter mounted and still attach the hood. The SquareHood for X100 Glass goes further: it screws directly onto the lens with no adapter needed and comes with a built-in 10% haze/bloom filter, available in haze or clear versions.

Round hoods typically screw into the filter thread or use a bayonet mount, and they often require you to remove the hood to adjust a filter. If you use a polariser or variable ND, that extra step can be annoying. SquareHood bayonet-mounted models like the Model V for Fujifilm XF 23mm/35mm f2 stay attached while you access the filter, which is a practical advantage for landscape and street photographers who adjust filters often.

Build, caps, and everyday durability

The SquareHood for Voigtlander X mount lenses is made from aluminium and comes with a rubber dust cap. The SquareHood Model V for Fujifilm XF 23mm/35mm f2 is also aluminium and includes one plastic lens cap. The SquareHood for X100 Glass comes with a slip-on metal cap. These caps protect the front element and filter when the camera is in a bag, but they are not tethered, so you need to keep track of them.

Round hoods vary widely in material and cap design. Many are plastic and may not include a cap. If you often work in dusty or wet conditions, a metal hood with a secure cap is easier to live with. The SquareHood for X100 Glass also weather seals the camera against moisture and dust, which is a meaningful benefit for X100 series users who shoot in light rain or at the beach. No similar sealing claim is made for the other SquareHood models in this comparison.

Trade-offs to weigh before you buy

  • Flare control vs. viewfinder obstruction: Square hoods shade the rectangular image area more precisely, but they can block the optical viewfinder on rangefinder-style cameras. The SquareHood Model V for X100 includes a window to minimise this, while the Voigtlander SquareHood does not. Round hoods rarely block the viewfinder but may be less effective at cutting flare from the top and bottom. If you rely on the optical viewfinder, check for a window or cutout before choosing a square hood.
  • Filter access vs. simplicity: SquareHood models for Voigtlander and Fujifilm XF 23mm/35mm f2 let you use a 43mm filter under the hood, and the X100 Glass model has a built-in 10% haze/bloom filter with no adapter needed. Round hoods usually require removing the hood to adjust a filter. However, round hoods are often cheaper and available in more thread sizes. If you frequently use a polariser or ND filter, a SquareHood with filter access will save time and reduce the risk of dropping the hood.
  • Integrated look vs. universal fit: SquareHood Model V for Fujifilm XF 23mm/35mm f2 is designed to look like a continuation of the lens, and the X100 Glass model is the most compact all-in-one solution. Round hoods are generic and may not match the lens styling, but they can be moved between lenses with the same filter thread. If you value a seamless look and own a compatible lens, a SquareHood is worth the investment. If you need one hood for multiple lenses, a round hood is more flexible.

SquareHood models at a glance

  • SquareHood - Voigtlander X 27mm f2 / 18mm f2.8: A hood for the Voigtlander X mount 27mm f2 and Voigtlander X mount 18mm f2.8. Made from aluminium, comes with a rubber dust cap, and can be used with a 43mm filter. Available in black and silver. If you own either Voigtlander lens, this hood lets you keep a 43mm filter mounted while shading the front element. The metal build and colour options match the lens finish.
  • SquareHood Model V for Fujifilm XF 23mm / 35mm f2: The SquareHood for the Fujinon XF 23mm f2 and XF 35mm f2 is a bayonet mounted lens hood. The photographer can still use their 43mm filter under this hood. The hood also comes back towards the focus ring, which creates the illusion that it is a continuation of the lens rather than an obvious add on like other hoods available for these two lenses. Each hood comes with 1 plastic lens cap. Bayonet mounting makes it quick to attach and remove, and the 43mm filter thread remains accessible. The design blends with the lens for a compact, integrated look, which matters if you dislike bulky add-ons.
  • SquareHood - X100 Glass (Haze or Clear): The latest hood for the Fujifilm X100 series cameras - an all-in-one hood with filter that screws directly onto the lens. This hood comes with a built-in 10% haze / bloom filter. No adapter is needed, this hood will screw directly onto the lens. It is the most compact solution to protect your x100 the hood also weather seals the camera against moisture and dust. The hood comes with a slip on metal cap. For X100 users who want a single, compact unit that adds haze or clear filtration and seals the camera against the elements, this eliminates the need for a separate adapter and filter. It is the most integrated option in this comparison.

Which should you use?

Best for

  • Fujifilm X100 series shooters who want a compact, weather-sealed hood with built-in haze or clear filtration (SquareHood X100 Glass).
  • Voigtlander X mount 27mm f2 or 18mm f2.8 users who want a metal hood that allows a 43mm filter and matches the lens in black or silver.
  • Fujinon XF 23mm f2 or XF 35mm f2 owners who prefer a bayonet-mounted hood that stays attached while using a 43mm filter and blends with the lens design.

Not for

  • Photographers who need one hood to fit many different lenses with various filter threads; a round hood with a matching thread size is more practical.
  • Shooters who frequently use the optical viewfinder on a camera without a viewfinder window in the hood; a round hood may obstruct less.
  • Budget-focused buyers who do not need filter access or a specific aesthetic; a basic round hood costs less.