I also had a hard time removing my lens hood from my Minolta 24-105 at some point. The solution was actually to be very gentle, because it was like something "locked" when I tried with brute force....

Http://www.fotostart.dk << tutorials, guides etc...

That seemed to do the trick somehow! Cheers for the quick reply!!..

I'm happy it worked! .

Sometimes a gentle touch is the trick... took me a while to figure it out with my own lens - but now, half a year later I got it, it's very easy to fit and remove the hood - so I guess your problem will disappear as well, as you use the hood often. .

Http://www.fotostart.dk << tutorials, guides etc...

Paul:.

Now that you know how to manipulate it, keep in mind that putting the lens hood on the lens backwards (like you received it) is a good way to store it in your camera bag when you are not using the lens. It takes less room that way..

Enjoy your new gear!.

Jerryhttp://jchoate.zenfolio.com/..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

If you look at the right side of your picture, you will notice a tab sticking out of the hood near the bottom of the picture. There should be a tab on the other side as well. By pushing both tabs at the same time the hood should come off. At least that was how mine worked..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

I know!.

I've been using a camera with manual controls(P/A/S/M) for 3 years, done a course, think I've got a reasonable understanding of the technical aspects of photography and am ready for DSLR, then get foiled by a lens hood!!.

Very humbling, thankfully dpreview forums to the rescue!..