It seems most people here recommend using a lens hood. I have never used one for functional reasons-- and rather use a filter for "protection."
My stupid newbie questions: for Canon lenses, can/should the lens cap be used while the hood is on and the camera is not in use? Can the camera generally be easily transported with the hood on (or is the hood usually removed each time?
What I am getting at--- does a hood serve as an inconvenience?