Lens hood really necessary

Hi,

 

only because of curiosity:

 

In a few recent posts i have read, that one should always use a lens

hood for maximum contrast and good colors. Do you use a lenshood

evertime or only in flare prone situations?

I use a hood most of the time, to protect the lens. The reason why its most not all of the time is because I forget to put it on alot haha

To protect from flare prone situations is the second reason why I use a hood.

I too rarely remove my hoods. Once off you won't have it when you need it. Plus it helps

protect your lens from pokes, kiddy fingers, doggie noses and impact.

<p>Lens hoods serve two purposes.</p>

 

<p>Light coming from outside the lens' field of view is useless for the purposes of making a picture, but can adversely affect the picture by reflecting off lens elements and causing flare. There's more than one type of flare, and sometimes you want flare for an artistic effect, but for the most part, flare makes the picture look dull and washed-out. A lens hood blocks this light (well, some of it; some lens hoods do a better job than others, and on zoom lenses, the hood is generally not equally effective at all focal lengths) and helps prevent flare.</p>

 

<p>A lens hood also provides some measure of physical protection. If you drop the lens, the (relatively inexpensive) hood may sacrifice itself to save the (relatively expensive) lens from damage. The hood can also help keep airborne stuff like dust and spray off the front element. And it can help keep puppy faces (sorry, couldn't resist :-) and baby fingers from leaving smudges on the front element.</p>

 

<p>Necessary? Technically, no. But highly advisable. I always use a lens hood unless there's a reason not to, and since I don't use the pop-up flash on my camera (I have a shoemount flash), the most common technical reason not to use a lens hood (it blocks the pop-up flash) doesn't apply to me.</p>

Well, it isnt the hood that is necessary, it is not having the front element in light that is necessary. you can use the hood to block the light, or you can set up a flag (black cloth on metal frame on a stick clamped to a c stand with sandbags on it ) and have the shadow of the flag on the lens. Also you can use your hand and shield the sun off the lens element.

I always use hoods. There are many types of lenses, however, and some are more prone to flare than others, possibly.

 

A fast telephoto lenss has a large front element and lots of glass to be blocked from unwanted, extraneous light. The Canon EF 50mm f1.4 has a deeply recessed front element which may block light itself, to some extent. I use a hood with it anyway.

I only remove the lenshood if I'm in an indoor situation where the hood would intimidate the subject, or if I'm trying to be inconspicous with the camera.

It's a good habit to always use a lens hood. If you're using a zoom lens I would strongly suggest a lens hood be used.

Always on, and don't think about it.<br>

There's some sort of rule of thumb somewhere suggesting that lens hoods were essential for zoom lenses - given their many lens elements and the disposition to pick up flare at the short end of the range. This seems especially true of the short range zoom lenses. Lens hoods for primary lenses don't appear to be as necessary and perhaps serve a better purpose in protecting such lenses.

At all times, for physical and flare protection. I once found myself in light rain. No problem. The camera once fell on hard concrete. Lens hood smashed (and was soon replaced). Lens intact. As I said, at all times.

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.