What does a lens hood accomplish?

Ok, how necessary is a lens hood? I almost never use one and I've never had any problems. To be honest, the only time where I will use one is when I want to look more professional. Plus, they take up lots of space in my camera case.

So, how does one work? How often does it make a difference? What types of situations should I be looking to use one?

thanks.

Only when there's light shining on the front of your lens.

The only reason we use a shade is to keep (usually) sunlight off the front lens element to prevent flare from happening. But it can also happen with any kind of light shining into or into your lens.

They're normally used outdoors, by everyone from photojournalists to landscape photogs. If you're not having problems with flare, I wouldn't look at one yet. Ball caps or your hands casting a shadow onto your lens is a good trick when doing tripod work.

With regards to their size, many lenses now come with one that reverses and screws into the lens backwards so it is not an extra thing to carry around. Also, you can buy collapsable rubber ones.

Definitely a good investment in the long run, but buy it as you need it.

Rick

Here's a comprehensive site on lens hoods: http://www.vanwalree.com/optics/lenshood.html

From what I understand, a lens hood helps prevent flare by only letting in the light that is within the field of view of the lens being used. This makes sure there is no extraneous light bouncing around in the lens to cause flare.

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Originally Posted by Ryguyinlj

To be honest, the only time where I will use one is when I want to look more professional.

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I can second that!! :D Adding a hood on to any camera does make it quite a bit more 'professional' per se. Though I always have mine on, I doubt it honestly makes a difference.

Jared

Hoods definately make a difference.
Most hoods are circular, but Square hoods are more compact and get rid of flare better.

I have a hood on my 35. Protects my front element from fingers and other things. BTW, if you have a cheaper lens, dont get a hood. Hoods are relatively expensive (those that are made exclusively for a lens). Mine came with a hood as does all lenses from the manufacturer. If you got it, use it.

I admit I'm doubtful which is why I'm going to ask this: What makes square hoods better than round ones?

I'm a firm believer in lens hoods and believe all lenses should use them unless you have a specific reason not to.

Many people would never notice small amounts of flare which result in losses of contrast. This is an important thing to be worried about. Most of us only see the "obvious" flare which exhibits itself as those bright aperture blade like shapes. But there are less obvious problems that flare causes (like the loss of contrast already mentioned).

Lens hoods do more than make your lens look cool. And as mentioned by others, they are helpful to physically protect the lens as well.

my understanding is that because all photographs turn out rectangular, then a square hood crops off all the light exactly to the boundaries of the frame.
A circular can only achieve this by extending parts of the shade out resulting in a larger lens hood. I have used such lens hoods on a canon, and although they look more pro than my square hood, a square one is more practical in size.

Perhaps I shouldnt have said they get rid of flare better. They are just better.

If you use a round hood that isnt custom made for your lens and doesnt have those projections, then you may still be flare prone. I used a 1.4 nikkor 50 on a Nikon FM the other day. Stopped down and still got flare with hood on. Terrible. Absolutely terrible.

Interesting about square hoods - they're pretty rare for 35mm though. Some of the scalloped (or whatever they call them) hoods cut the sides out, that way the top and bottom can be longer without vignetting on the sides. This almost works out to a similar concept but rectangular like a 35mm frame.

I always use hoods because, unlike UV or protective filters, there are no situations where you'll have problems with the image caused by using it. You also have the benefit of physical protection of the lens; the front element is essentially recessed back a little and if the hood bumps into something it's better to break it than the lens. They also helps when shooting in rain although you probably wouldn't have to worry about flare in a situation like that.

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Originally Posted by another view

Some of the scalloped (or whatever they call them) hoods cut the sides out, that way the top and bottom can be longer without vignetting on the sides. I always use hoods because, unlike UV or protective filters, there are no situations where you'll have problems with the image caused by using it.

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The "four-point" or "petal-shaped" or "perfect hood" (depending on who you're asking) for my Canon 28-105 never ever leaves it unless I'm changing filters or adjusting my polarizer. Now, when I was researching this lens pre-purchase, a lot of people claimed the hood vignetted. To date I have had absolutely no problems.
It is also one of my adamant opinions that every lens should come with a hood. I was not happy about shelling out another 20 or 30 bucks for the dedicated hood for the 28-105 and adding another item to be shipped...
I always use my hoods too, even on overcast days. You just never know...

I have and use a hood on my Vivtar Zoom and Soliger Telephoto. It came in handy when doing shots at a race track at dusk, or the lens flares off the cars would have been horrible.

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Originally Posted by walterick

Only when there's light shining on the front of your lens.

The only reason we use a shade is to keep (usually) sunlight off the front lens element to prevent flare from happening. But it can also happen with any kind of light shining into or into your lens.

They're normally used outdoors, by everyone from photojournalists to landscape photogs. If you're not having problems with flare, I wouldn't look at one yet. Ball caps or your hands casting a shadow onto your lens is a good trick when doing tripod work.

With regards to their size, many lenses now come with one that reverses and screws into the lens backwards so it is not an extra thing to carry around. Also, you can buy collapsable rubber ones.

Definitely a good investment in the long run, but buy it as you need it.

Rick

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That's what I've got on most of my lenses. I have one reversible hood, so carrying it around isn't a problem. I have two metal screw on hoods that I never use.

I use mine most of the time. They probably aren't needed all the time, but I like knowing that if I'm not watching where the lighting is coming from, I've got some protection from the flare and reflections that can result - and I have had those in the past!

Lens hoods also help to physically protect the lens.

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Originally Posted by Arctirus

Lens hoods also help to physically protect the lens.

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Amen!!! They have saved my front elements and filters on many occasions. I always use one.

The Canon 24-70 and 70-200 came with lens hoods.
I use them for physical protection as well as preventing flare.
The 70-200 hood has scratches from last week to prove it works !
If you've got a zoom lens, then unless the hood zooms too, it won't work at all focal lengths.