Hoodman Corporation

What Hoodman Corporation does

Hoodman Corporation is a privately held US manufacturer of specialized imaging accessories, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Torrance, California. The company designs and sells physical hardware products that solve glare, visibility, and equipment-protection problems for imaging professionals across three end markets: commercial drone operators, photographers, and broadcast/video production. Its flagship category is weighted drone landing pads (in 21-inch, 3 Ft, 5 Ft, and 8 Ft sizes) featuring a patented ground-hugging galvanized steel perimeter cable system that holds the pad in place without stakes during drone prop wash. Secondary product lines include the HoodLoupe glare-free LCD viewer, brand- and model-specific camera eyecups for Sony, Nikon, and Canon systems, magnetic-mount anti-glare hoods for Atomos professional monitors, studio viewfinder hoods, camcorder hoods, drone controller belt kits and tripod mounts, and Ground Control Point Kits for aerial mapping and photogrammetry.

The company's underlying technology is precision mechanical and optical engineering rather than software: weighted perimeter cables sized to drone class (3.2 lb, 8 lb, 19 lb), 600-denier polyester construction, urethane-coated undersides, and patented glare-blocking geometries. Hoodman monetizes exclusively through one-time hardware sales, with no subscription or recurring revenue component. Distribution combines a Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer e-commerce site with a deep channel network of 50+ US drone retailers, 70+ US photography retailers, and international distributors across more than 30 countries. Brand-building is supported by an 8-photographer brand ambassador program and a long-standing NFL partnership dating to 1996 for replay-viewing hoods. Notable scale signals include over 1 million Lens Cleanse units sold globally since 2011 and a customer base spanning professional drone pilots, wildlife, landscape, wedding, and motion-picture photographers, and broadcast sports officials.

Name

Hoodman Corporation

Legal name

Hoodman Corporation

Website

https://hoodmanusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hoodman Corporation is a privately held US manufacturer, founded in 1986, that designs weighted drone landing pads, camera eyecups, glare-free monitor hoods, and aerial-mapping accessories for professional drone pilots, photographers, and broadcast/video production customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Camera and Drone Imaging Accessories

SIC

Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Drone Parts, Batteries & Accessories Retail (CRACAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tripods, Mounts & Supports (Tripods, Monopods, Clamps, Action Mounts) (CRACAPAI), Gimbals, Stabilizers & Camera Support Retail (Tripods, Sliders, Mounts) (CRACAHAE)

Keywords

• Drone landing pads
• Camera eyecups
• Monitor hoods
• Aerial mapping tools
• Camera loupe accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling physical products including drone landing pads, camera eyecups, viewfinder/monitor hoods, camcorder hoods, HoodLoupe accessories, drone controller mounts, and aerial mapping tools. Products are sold directly through e-commerce and through channel partners including drone retailers, photography retailers, and international distributors. Revenue is generated through one-time purchase transactions with no recurring subscription component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hoodman Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells precision-engineered physical imaging accessories organized into three main categories: (1) Drone & Mapping Accessories including weighted landing pads in four sizes (21-inch to 8-foot), aviator hoods, ground control point kits, and controller mounts; (2) Camera Accessories including patented HoodLoupe glare-free LCD viewers and eyecups for Sony, Nikon, and Canon systems; and (3) Viewfinder/Monitor Hoods including magnetic-mount anti-glare hoods for Atomos monitors, camcorder hoods, and studio viewfinder hoods. The company also offers custom logo printing on landing pads. Products are sold through a direct e-commerce storefront and a global network of 120+ US retailers and 30+ international distributors.

Product overview

Hoodman Corporation has been a leading imaging industry innovator since 1986, specializing in high-quality tools for professional image makers. The company offers a diverse product portfolio organized into three main categories: Drone & Mapping Accessories (including weighted drone landing pads in 4 sizes ranging from 21 inches to 8 feet, aviator hoods, aerial mapping tools, tripod controller mounts, and drone belts), Camera Accessories (featuring HoodLoupe glare-free LCD viewers, camera eyecups for Sony, Nikon, and Canon camera systems, and camera straps), and Viewfinder/Monitor Hoods (including Atomos monitor hoods, studio viewfinder hoods, and camcorder hoods for various LCD screen sizes). The product lineup includes both core products (landing pads, hoods, eyecups) and complementary accessories (LED light kits, ground control point kits, custom logo printing). Hoodman also provides custom logo printing services for drone landing pads. The company serves both drone professionals and photographers across broadcast, wildlife, landscape, sports, and motion picture industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hoodman Weighted Trifold Drone Landing Pad LP21 A 21-inch portable drone landing pad that folds into a compact triangular shape with a rubber belt for secure transport. Designed for small drones and travel-friendly field use.
• Hoodman Weighted UAV Drone Landing Pad 3 Ft (HDLP3) A professional-grade 3-foot drone landing pad featuring patented ground-hugging galvanized steel weighted perimeter cable (3.2 lb zinc-coated) that keeps the pad anchored without stakes. Built with 600-denier orange polyester and an integrated compass rose.
• Hoodman Weighted UAV Drone Landing Pad 5 Ft (HDLP) A professional-grade 5-foot drone landing pad with patented 8 lb zinc-coated weighted perimeter cable. Folds into three compact circles with an integrated compass rose and 20-inch carry bag.
• Hoodman Weighted UAV Drone Landing Pad 8 Ft (HDLP8) A professional-grade 8-foot drone landing pad with patented 19 lb zinc-coated weighted perimeter cable for large commercial UAVs. Features rugged 600-denier orange polyester construction, integrated compass rose, and 27-inch carry bag.
• HoodLoupe 3.2 inch Base A patented glare-free loupe that allows photographers to review images on their camera's LCD screen in bright outdoor conditions. Compatible with 3.2 inch camera display bases.
• Hoodman 5-pack Ground Control Point Kit A 5-pack drone aerial surveying and photogrammetry tool designed to provide accurate ground reference points that enhance the precision of drone-based mapping operations.
• Hoodman Aviator Drone Controller Belt Kit A belt-mounted drone controller kit providing a stable hands-free mobile workstation for extended flight operations and comfortable controller handling in the field.
• Hoodman Drone Controller Tripod Mount A tripod mount that turns drone controllers into a stable flight station. Compatible with Smart, Cendence, and Inspire controllers.
• Hoodman Drone Controller Tripod Mount for DJI RC Plus A tripod mount specifically designed for the DJI RC Plus controller, enabling stable flight station configuration for that controller model.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Sony Cameras Eyecup accessories for Sony camera systems including Sony A-series and Sony Mirrorless eyepieces (A1, A7S III, A7 IV, A7RV, A9III), providing enhanced viewing comfort and light blocking.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Nikon Mirrorless Z Cameras Eyecups for Nikon mirrorless Z camera models including Z6III, Z6II, Z7II, Z6, and Z7, available in regular and glasses sizes.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Nikon Z9, Z8 and Zf Cameras Eyecups available in regular and glasses sizes for Nikon Z9, Z8, and Zf cameras.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Canon 22mm Mounts Eyecups for Canon camera eyepieces with 22mm mounts, compatible with 1DX Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark IV, and 7D Mark II.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Canon 18mm Mounts Eyecups for Canon 18mm mount eyepieces, compatible with 6D Mark II, 90D, Rebel T8i, 5D Mark II, and 5D cameras. Available in regular and glasses sizes.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Nikon Round Threaded Eyepieces Eyecups for Nikon round threaded eyepieces, compatible with D6, D5, D4, D500, and D850 cameras. Available in regular and glasses sizes.
• Hoodman Eyecups for Nikon Square Snap-On Eyepieces Eyecups for Nikon square snap-on eyepieces, compatible with D750 and D3500 cameras. Available in regular and glasses sizes.
• Hoodman Studio Viewfinder Hood A universal viewfinder hood designed for 4 to 10 inch monitors, providing glare-free viewing for TV broadcast sports cameramen.
• Hoodman Outdoor Camcorder Hood Line Camcorder hoods with elastic straps and Velcro for glare-free LCD viewing in the field. Features durable nylon-covered plastic inserts. Available in models HD350, HD450, HC300, and H400 for various LCD screen sizes.
• Hoodman Magnetic Mount Anti-Glare Hood Kit for Atomos Shogun Connect A magnetic mount anti-glare hood kit specifically designed for the Atomos Shogun Connect monitor, allowing quick attachment and removal while maintaining secure positioning during field use.
• Hoodman Magnetic Mount Anti-Glare Hood Kit for Atomos Ninja V+ A magnetic mount anti-glare hood kit designed for the Atomos Ninja V+ monitor, allowing quick attachment and removal while maintaining secure positioning during field use.
• Custom Logo Printing on Drone Landing Pads A customization service that prints custom logos on Hoodman drone landing pads. Available in standard black or color print options for 3 Ft, 5 Ft, and 8 Ft pads. Pricing ranges from $10 for a standard 3 Ft black logo to $30-$40 additional for color logos.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million Lens Cleanse units sold globally since 2011
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• National Football League (NFL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996NFL commissioned Hoodman in 1996 to develop hoods for officials to view instant replays on the field. This partnership continues to this day with Hoodman providing essential tools for college football officials. The NFL partnership represents significant third-party validation of Hoodman's product quality and reliability.
• US Drone Retailers (50+ dealers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of US-based drone retailers including Advexure (Los Angeles), Drone Nerds (Florida), DroneFly (California), Inspired Flight (California), and 50+ others. Retailers provide local sales support, product demonstration, and immediate availability.
• US Photography Retailers (70+ dealers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of US-based photography retailers including B&H Photo-Video (New York), Adorama (New York), Samy's Camera (California), AbelCine (California), George's Camera (California), and 70+ others. Provides offline sales channel and local customer support.
• International Distributors (30+ countries)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution network spanning over 30 countries including Canada, Australia, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, and others. Major partners include Sphere Drones (Australia), Videoguys (Australia), Candrone (Canada), Hexadrone (France), and Heliguy (UK).
• Hoodman Brand Ambassadors (8 photographers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand ambassador program featuring 8 professional photographers and videographers including Craig Minielly (Film/Underwater), Ian Spanier (Commercial/Portrait), Jasin Boland (Motion Picture), Mandy Lea (Landscape), Mark Taylor (Drone), Michelle Valberg (Wildlife), Tracie Maglosky (Wedding), and Vincent Versace (Adventure). Ambassadors provide product reviews, content creation, and industry credibility.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Peak Design: Emerging player in premium camera accessories including straps, clips, and tripod mounts with strong direct-to-consumer brand. Comparable in targeting professional and prosumer photographers with design-forward accessories.
• CamKix: Emerging player in affordable action camera and drone accessories sold primarily through Amazon. Represents the low-cost competitive pressure Hoodman faces in commoditized accessory categories.

Direct peers

• PGYTech: Direct competitor in drone accessories, offering drone landing pads, filters, and carrying cases for DJI and other prosumer drone platforms. Closely comparable to Hoodman's drone landing pad and accessory portfolio.
• Smatree: Direct competitor in drone accessories including landing pads, controller mounts, and carrying cases. Comparable entry-level and mid-tier drone accessory offering to Hoodman.
• SmallRig: Direct competitor in camera and video accessories including monitor hoods, mounts, cages, and rig components. Comparable in addressing professional photographers and videographers with modular accessories.
• Think Tank Photo: Direct competitor in professional photography accessories, particularly camera bags, straps, and support gear for working photographers. Comparable target customer base of professional and enthusiast image makers.
• PolarPro: Direct competitor in drone and action camera accessories, particularly known for drone filters and lens kits. Comparable to Hoodman in serving professional drone pilots and content creators.
• Freewell Gear: Direct competitor offering drone filters, lens kits, and camera accessories. Overlaps with Hoodman's drone accessories and monitor hood categories.

Broad incumbents

• DJI: Broad incumbent as the dominant drone manufacturer whose own accessory ecosystem competes with and is enabled by Hoodman's DJI-specific landing pads and controller mounts. The principal OEM around which Hoodman's drone business is designed.
• Atomos: Broad incumbent and ecosystem partner—Atomos makes the Shogun and Ninja monitors for which Hoodman designs magnetic-mount hoods. A complementary relationship that also means Atomos-branded or third-party hood alternatives could compete directly with Hoodman's monitor hood line.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hoodmanusa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Hoodmanusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/HoodmanUSA-146408518706406
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/hoodmanusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/hoodmanusa
• Pinterestpinterest.com/hoodmanusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hoodman Corporation