When to use a lens hood?

When should you use a lens hood? Night football games; outdoor

soccer games; night baseball games, basketball games? Inside

buildings? (Nikon D70s w/18-70, f4.5 & 70-200 f2.8) -Thank you.

Always- the hood protects the front of the lens, as well as blocking extraneous light from getting into the lens. Lens hoods never hurt and can only help.

I agree, you should always have a lens hood on when shooting sports. Stadium lights are bad for causing flare and if you get hit by a linebacker it might save the lens.

Always for the above mentioned reasons, and as Michael says, while you are in traction, in hospital, after being run down by that linebacker and his oppositon, you at least have the satisfaction of knowing that the front element on your 70-200 2.8 is ok. :)

Use a lot, and often. As above said, for whatever physical protection the hoods can provide as well as cutting out flares from stray light which will decrease your contrast. With wide angle lenses you may even have to use your hand to block off bright light source.

Whenever practical. Gymnasium lights can be worse about producing flare than stadium lights (which tend to be up much higher) or sunlight, which comes from only one direction. Danged gym lights are everywhere and are relatively low, so sometimes flare can be a problem even with a good lens shade.

 

Fortunately your Nikkors come with excellent lens shades and the 18-70 kit zoom is very resistant to flare, one of the best zooms I've owned in terms of flare resistance - altho' it's a bit slow for indoor or low light action photography.

When NOT to use a lens hood?

 

I don't use a lens hood when I pack my cameras for transportation to and from a shooting location. That's about the only time I don't use a hood.

Don't forget that even with the lens hood on you can still end up with flare. It all depends on where the source of light is in relation to where the lens is aimed for a particular image. You can readily see flare in the viewfinder if you learn to look for it. Move the lens over the area you are shooting and see if there are areas where flare is evident. With sports you have to shoot quickly but when doing tripod work with hoods it is sometimes necessary to assist the hood by using your hand or card to shade the front element. You just have to be sure that you are not blocking part of the view.

Thanks very much. You guys are why I love this forum. Always give more information that I thought to ask for and you're professional.