use of a lens hood

[socrates]

Ignorant question but what is the function of a lens hood. how does it affect the pciture taken? Thanks.

[raptor84]

If i'm not wrong its mainly to cut down on glare so you wont get lens flares?

[wildstallion]

Originally Posted by raptor84 If i'm not wrong its mainly to cut down on glare so you wont get lens flares?

Yup, and also is a handy little device to stop water getting on the glass of the lens when its raining and your taking pics!

[socrates]

whats lens flare?

[ortega]

the lens hood is used to block light from hitting the front element of your lens
if the light hits the front element of your lens
you will get lens flare

[ortega]

Originally Posted by socrates whats lens flare?

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...lens-flare.htm

[+evenstar]

And also to prevent itchy fingers from touching your front element or filter, and prevent the front element from knocking into walls/people/etc

[dragos]

good protection for the lens

[Raptor1]

Just don't try to take macro pictures (namely with insects) with lense hood on. I did it with my 50mm macro, and in the end, my pictures came out all black as the hood covered my subject, and "sheltered" it from any avaliable light source, including my flash :S

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 Just don't try to take macro pictures (namely with insects) with lense hood on. I did it with my 50mm macro, and in the end, my pictures came out all black as the hood covered my subject, and "sheltered" it from any avaliable light source, including my flash :S

Then you should have been able to see that the subject is void of any available light when you look through the VF right...

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by +evenstar Then you should have been able to see that the subject is void of any available light when you look through the VF right...

Not really, as the subject could still be seen through the viewfinder.

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 Not really, as the subject could still be seen through the viewfinder.

Now that's a bit weird. you stated that "my pictures came out all black as the hood covered my subject, and "sheltered" it from any avaliable light source, including my flash". This meant that the subject is in total darkness, and you shouldn't be seeing anything thru the VF

[Canew]

Originally Posted by Raptor1 Not really, as the subject could still be seen through the viewfinder.

Not a SLR?

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by Canew Not a SLR?

Hmm..if he can "I did it with my 50mm macro, and in the end, my pictures came out all black as the hood covered my subject, and "sheltered" it from any avaliable light source, including my flash", it should be a (D)SLR