what is the use of a lens hood?


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Enzoleo

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Jun 18, 2008
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hi there im new to DSLRs and this forum =). ive got my dslr for a week now and very happy with it. just a quick question what are thoose huge lens hoods i see people using? thanks.:)
 

Yeah. It's used to prevent glare and lens flare and also to protect the lens.
 

If I am not mistaken, beyond the flare prevention and lens protection, it is said to improve saturation and color as well. It prevents stray light rays from bouncing off the front elements.

Ahuh, found an online verification for you

Cheers~
 

If I am not mistaken, beyond the flare prevention and lens protection, it is said to improve saturation and color as well. It prevents stray light rays from bouncing off the front elements.

Ahuh, found an online verification for you

Cheers~

The improvement in saturation and color is a result of flare prevention

Flare caused by unwanted incidental light internally reflecting within the elements can take several forms. Sometimes appearing like sunspots, sometimes it looks like a thin veil that lowers contrast and saturation

Ryan
 

so one thing, is it necessary to get a good hood? cos i went cathay photo store at penisular, and they told me that a rubber one would be good enough. and i bought it.
 

so one thing, is it necessary to get a good hood? cos i went cathay photo store at penisular, and they told me that a rubber one would be good enough. and i bought it.

As long as you get the correct one. Different lenses need specific hoods so that the hood will not vignette the picture. A hood for one lens may not be suitable for another.

I dun carry hoods cause they are too bulky for me. I just use my palm or a cap that i bring along on trips.

Ryan
 

thanks for the feedback. i heard that only canon L series give free hoods, issit possible to make diy hoods?
 

To save your pictures from funny circls!!! :confused: haha
and yeah, kinda to protect the top of your lens.
Just go but a first hand one, wont cost much :)
 

As long as you get the correct one. Different lenses need specific hoods so that the hood will not vignette the picture. A hood for one lens may not be suitable for another.

I dun carry hoods cause they are too bulky for me. I just use my palm or a cap that i bring along on trips.

Ryan

hmmm.
using palm or cap will do huh?
then i shouldn't have bought the rubber hood -.- lol.
thanks thanks :D
 

make it simple ,to prevent 'light intruder' .
 

hmmm.
using palm or cap will do huh?
then i shouldn't have bought the rubber hood -.- lol.
thanks thanks :D

Must bend into the correct shape and know exactly what you are trying to block out eh?
 

"The primary use for a lens hood is to prevent light from hitting the front lens element from the sides - reducing contrast and creating flare. Pictures taken with a lens hood installed will generally have richer colors, deeper saturation."

From: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Lens-Hoods.aspx

Hmm.. Sounds like a pretty noob question then... Will it serve any purpose in Night Indoor and Landscape Photography? Since stray light and all still exist and not so much on flare reduction? Don't wanna be labelled as a poser using a lens hood at night.. haha!
 

Protection of the lens is also a factor.

I have dropped a cam with the hood on face dow before and the hood absorbed the impact and cracked... well, it's far cheaper to replace a hood than a lens front element. ;)
 

don't forget that it also make the lens look more pro

personally. i don't like to use it, such a hassle
if needed i just use my hand
 

if you're shooting under rain.. the hood will prevent water from going onto your front lens element or filter.. :)
 

if you're shooting under rain.. the hood will prevent water from going onto your front lens element or filter.. :)

Then again the rest of the lens and the body will not be sheltered ...

Ryan
 

...
Hmm.. Sounds like a pretty noob question then... Will it serve any purpose in Night Indoor and Landscape Photography? Since stray light and all still exist and not so much on flare reduction? Don't wanna be labelled as a poser using a lens hood at night.. haha!

At night there still is stray light, and I've encountered it quite badly when shooting night landscapes and there are many sources of stray light around. Especially on an UWA, where it is hard to stick your finger/hand in to just block the source of stray light, I keep my hoods on.

Knowing which of your lenses are more prone to flare, and which aren't, also helps. For instance, I have one particular telephoto that is very prone to flaring, so I use that with the hood all the time, even though it's unwieldy to have it on such a long lens already.
 

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