Hood with crop sensor

[Rey]

Well, I've heard and read differing opinions on this and was hoping for a definitive answer. Simply, I have a 20D with a 1.6 crop sensor. WIll the lens hood provide any benefits with this camera? The consensus I seem to get is that it is not needed with my 20D. Thoughts.

[gjl711]

There is no definitive answer. It will help prevent lens flares, it will provide a bit of protection for the lens, and it will make you lens look bigger and more intimidating. ;) Some use them, some don't.

[sandpiper]

Hoods prevent lens flare and that flare could easily be visible in the centre of the picture, even with a crop sensor you can still see the middle :)

Also the hood will protect the front of your lens (or the UV filter if you use one) from knocks, bangs and fingerprints.

Using one has benefits, regardless of the size of your sensor, and I can't think of any problems other than making it difficult to adjust CPL & grad filters etc.

Unless you have a good reason for not using one, why leave it off ?

[CoolToolGuy]

A hood can always help. The main issue with a crop sensor camera is that the hood should block all light outside the angle of view of the lens, and the factory hoods for EF lenses are made for the angle of view of a full frame camera - which is wider than that of the crop sensor body. For all but the widest angle lenses the hood will still provide some protection.

EF-S lenses are made for 1.6x cameras, and their hoods are designed specifically for the 1.6 AOV, so they should be correct.

Have Fun,

[phylet]

with standard lenses (not EF-S) on a crop frame the suggestion is you could use a larger hood, but the standard ones are still extremly useful.

[CoolToolGuy]

with standard lenses (not EF-S) on a crop frame the suggestion is you could use a larger hood, but the standard ones are still extremly useful.

I would say longer, yes, but not necessarily larger. . .

Have Fun,

[Mark_Cohran]

Hoods are designed primarily to prevent flare which is a loss of contrast due to light bouncing around inside the lens. That's going impact the entire image regardless of whether you're using a full frame camera or a crop camera. Using the right hood for the lens is the best way of reducing/eliminating flare and maintaining your image quality.

Mark

[Rey]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had been using the hood for the most part but had been hearing that it wasn't necessary with a crop sensor. I started wondering if I could remove it from my bag. Looks like I'll be keeping it in my bag and on the lens.

[Woolburr]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had been using the hood for the most part but had been hearing that it wasn't necessary with a crop sensor. I started wondering if I could remove it from my bag. Looks like I'll be keeping it in my bag and on the lens.

You are hearing bad info. Lens manufacturers wouldn't include a hood if it didn't serve a purpose. A properly designed hood accomplishes a few things for you. It blocks stray light from striking the lens, possibly creating flare and degrading the image. It protects the lens from bumps and bangs. I protects most lenses from accidental touches. It helps keep water, spray and other moisture off the front element. Use the hood...it does a body good.