question about lens hood VS filters and lens testing


naivenaiviv

New Member
Nov 17, 2011
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Hi all,

I'm new to photography. Would appreciate if someone can answer my questions.

1) From what I understand, lens hood helps in protecting the lens as well as reducing flare. Filters act as a protection for the lens. Thus, are they essentially the same just that filters are less bulky?
1.1) Does anyone put on a filter and then a lens hood on top?
1.2) Are lens hood expensive?

2) It is possible to test lens like how we test cameras before buying them?

Thanks in advance!
 

I'm not expert.

It depends on what lens u using. I used to use kit lens only and I only use lens hood on it. Well. I'm not too fussy about kit lens. It's not expensive lens. All along, I never use any filters, until recently when I get a better lens. With this new lens, I decided to use a filter more as a protection.

Note that UV filter does not block flare or glare. The lens hood does this job.
 

1) no, they are different. filters does not really help in shielding the lens from stray light.
1.1) yes, i do.
1.2) OEM generally cost more than 3rd party ones, with the latter being very affordable.

2) yes, possible and please do so.
 

2) yes, possible and please do so.

Hmm do they provide lens testing at camera shops? If yes, does it mean that all major and popular camera shops in sg (tk photo, cathay photo etc) provide lens testing?
 

Hmm do they provide lens testing at camera shops? If yes, does it mean that all major and popular camera shops in sg (tk photo, cathay photo etc) provide lens testing?

yes, they will let you test the lens before buying. if not how do you know if it's working fine or whether you really like what the lens is capturing?
 

Hi all,

I'm new to photography. Would appreciate if someone can answer my questions.

1) From what I understand, lens hood helps in protecting the lens as well as reducing flare. Filters act as a protection for the lens. Thus, are they essentially the same just that filters are less bulky?
1.1) Does anyone put on a filter and then a lens hood on top?
1.2) Are lens hood expensive?

2) It is possible to test lens like how we test cameras before buying them?

Thanks in advance!

Not sure if I read your sentence correctly...but Hood and Filter, thou they do protect the lens front element, but filters may introduce flare...esp so if you are using cheaper ones. So imo, they are not the same.
 

[video=youtube;-e9TUIC-Dtk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e9TUIC-Dtk[/video]

fyi, certain lenses come with hoods made specially for those lenses.

if u wanna save money on hoods, u can consider getting 3rd party ones
 

Last edited:
Hi all,

I'm new to photography. Would appreciate if someone can answer my questions.

1) From what I understand, lens hood helps in protecting the lens as well as reducing flare. Filters act as a protection for the lens. Thus, are they essentially the same just that filters are less bulky?
1.1) Does anyone put on a filter and then a lens hood on top?
1.2) Are lens hood expensive?

2) It is possible to test lens like how we test cameras before buying them?

Thanks in advance!
1) In most cases.. a lens hood is good enough for protection. There are many kind of filters..but i think your're referring to UV/clear filter.. yea they protect your lens front element. You can have them on if you want extra protection.. (Do note that cheap filter can degrade your Image quality)

1.1) Yes i do.. i always try to have both of them on..especially the hood..at night...you might consider removing the filter..becos its dark and having another glass can cause flare from the concentrated lights (not a must though)

1.2) I suppose so..the orginal ones can be quite costly.. There are also 3rd party ones.. But then you dont have to worry or consider 1 because you will get 1 everytime you purchase a lens.. unless u lose it.

2) Yes of cos..But pls do research and be quite sure you gonna purchase then go test..n hopefully u purchase.
 

1) they do protect, but not in the same way. hoods protect against stray light, and serve as "bumper" in case you accidentally knock it against a hard surface. filters (i assume u mean only the UV as protection) offer protection against smaller elements like sand and twigs/small branches from scratching the front element. thus, not the same.
1.1) depends on the situation. daytime, i'd use hood and filter, sometimes no hood, filter always on (too lazy to take out). nighttime, no filter, just hood. or no hood also can. there's no hard rule about usage, just personal preference (except taking off filter at night, to reduce flare, but still i think that's personal preference also)
1.2) most modern nikon lenses come together with hood so i've not really bought any. but generally not so expensive as other accessories.

2) generally shops will let you test lenses before buying. it's actually recommended to test that it doesn't have any manufacturer's defects before paying. however some shops are cautious against those who test (play with) all sorts of lenses but don't really buy. if you just want to handle the different lenses, it's better to go to the showrooms.

=)
 

1.2) I suppose so..the orginal ones can be quite costly.. There are also 3rd party ones.. But then you dont have to worry or consider 1 because you will get 1 everytime you purchase a lens.. unless u lose it.
AFAIK, canon lenses don't come with lens hoods inside the box. most nikons do. other brands, not too sure
 

AFAIK, canon lenses don't come with lens hoods inside the box. most nikons do. other brands, not too sure

only Canon L-lens comes with hood.
 

. . .

2) It is possible to test lens like how we test cameras before buying them?

The rest of your questions have been answered. A little more on this question. Some shops would let you test the lens but most will not be kind or patience to entertain you especially that you are not a regular unless they see you as a potential returning customer. A better option would be go to the show room. I dunno about other makers but Nikon Service Centre is a customer-friendly place to try out cameras and lenses.
 

Basically filters add another piece of optic infront of your lens. And as much as anyone would wanted to argue... your image will degrade... however small... even when the image will not actually show up on screen or was not captured by naked eyes, there will be a lost.

To me, that is alright so I place a filter on my lens. Second, I use a lens hood whenever I can, not only to prevent stray lights, but to protect my lens' front element against knocks and bumps... (I like to carry my camera unprotected, so I can easily use it as and when something interesting came up).

And Canon lens do provide lens hood - L lens only though. Original Lens Hood are very expensive, but you can easily get third party ones. Plus recently I just bought some screw-in lens hood from ebay, each costing only a couple of dollars and with free delivery, so there.

As to filter wise... some say that it will protect the camera from UV (UV filter) as was in olden film days, however, modern digital sensor is not really that sensitive to UV rays as was film so it was actually quite alright to not have a UV filter on your lens.

Please also take note that there are heaps of other type of filters that are essentially important to your photography route... such as CPL, ND filters, etc. They are there not only as protection... but other specialise purposes.
 

Something to read about hoods: Lens hoods
3rd party lenses (e.g. Tamron) come with hoods in the box.
1.1) No, filters don't add anything to what the lens can deliver. Lenses are made to work best without filters.
1.2) The original hoods of Canon are quite pricy, try to get OEM hoods with bayonet mounting.
2) Simple functional test are normal and I would leave the shop on the spot if they deny testing. But I don't thank any shop would support extensive tests with charts, tripod and other things. Some people try to do simple test to identify front / back focusing issues. But this also requires good knowledge about your focus system to avoid false positive results.