Lens hood

[soons]

I have read a few reviews that lens hood helps to increase the contrast of the image.
However, does a lens hood reduce then amount of light going in? (Like CPL filters Is lens hood needed when shooting indoors with indoor lighting?

I am considering modding one of my TCs to add lens hood if lens hood really does help.

 

[Edwin Francis]

Hoods don't really increase contrast. However they can prevent the loss of contrast and reduce flare when you have a bright light source just out of frame.
A proper hood should not be in frame, and therefore not cause any light loss (except for extraneous light from off-frame, which you don't want anyway) -- you're not supposed to see the hood in your viewfinder. You could get some vignetting if you use the wrong hood e.g. a hood meant for a 50mm lens on a 28mm lens.
Some photographers also use hoods to protect the front element from accidental knocks and bumps.

 

[soons]

As my TC does not have a front element thread, I do intend to mod it to put a screw in hood.
Will hood be beneficial indoors, other than protecting front element from accidental knocks?

 

[catchlights]

Lens hood


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[catchlights]

TC as in Tele converter?

you can shoot with Tele converter without mounting a lens in front?

 

[Octarine]

Will hood be beneficial indoors, other than protecting front element from accidental knocks?

A lens hood is not selective, it simple prevents flare from any stray light or light source just outside the frame. If you can't switch off some light indoors a hood can prevent flares here as well.

 

[soons]

Yes, my teleconverter is mounted in front.

I will see, cos a mod will cost about $30 for a female to female thread converter as well as a screw in hood. A Tulip hoot will proof to be better for tele-lens than a petal ones.

 

[shaoken]

To me, a lens hood is to reduce flare in some ways.
Another thing lens hood will be useful is that it can protect the lens front element.