When is it best to use/not use a lens hood?

[St. Germain]

Picked one up last week and am not totally sure when I should or shouldn't use it.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I would definitely use it all the time. You never know when that dog is going to jump up or whatever and smudge your lens... I really think it comes in useful. I use hoods no matter what. It also helps block flare when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight.

It's all about protection.

[St. Germain]

I would definitely use it all the time. You never know when that dog is going to jump up or whatever and smudge your lens... I really think it comes in useful. I use hoods no matter what. It also helps block flare when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight.

It's all about protection.
So there really aren't situations when not having a hood is better?

[Curtis N]

There are only two situations where I would take the hood off:
1) When using a polarizing filter that needs to be rotated for best effect
2) When shooting extremely closeup macro shots, where the hood might shade the light on the subject.

[St. Germain]

There are only two situations where I would take the hood off:
1) When using a polarizing filter that needs to be rotated for best effect
2) When shooting extremely closeup macro shots, where the hood might shade the light on the subject.

Good to know...thanks for the replies guys.

[Glenn NK]

My rule about lens hoods is simple - always.

Except for Curtis N's rules above.

[SkipD]

So there really aren't situations when not having a hood is better?The only time when you shouldn't use a lens hood is when it actually gets in the way of taking a photograph. That might occur, for example, when you are shooting an object so close to the lens that a hood would block the lighting that is illuminating the object. Other than rare instances like that, it is best to always use a lens hood.

Sometimes when using a polarizing filter - which needs to be rotated to achieve the proper position for the level of effect that you want - a hood might get in the way. Thus you might want to take the hood off to adjust the filter. I recommend putting the hood back on before taking the shot to reduce possibility of flare.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

So there really aren't situations when not having a hood is better?

I wouldnt say never, but mainly, no. I normally put mine on after taking the lens cap off, and/or putting the polarizer or any other filter on, as some hoods are VERY "deep". Ummm... other than that, I leave mine on when in use.

[::John::]

...You never know when that dog is going to jump up or whatever and smudge your lens...

Some dog noses are long enough to reach the front element in spite of the lens cap :(

Don't ask :D

There are only two situations where I would take the hood off:
1) When using a polarizing filter that needs to be rotated for best effect
2) When shooting extremely closeup macro shots, where the hood might shade the light on the subject.

Totally agree.

[tsaraleksi]

I don't use the hood on my 17-40-- On a crop sensor it doesn't actually do anything, and it makes carrying the lens around a pain in the butt. On my other zooms though, I always use it. The genius of the 24-70 hood impressses me a lot, too :D.

[calicokat]

Use it all the time for best results :)

[ijohnson]

Take the hood off when it wont fit in your bag with it on. Stupid 17-40 lens hood!!

[CoolAir]

I don't use the hood on my 17-40-- On a crop sensor it doesn't actually do anything, and it makes carrying the lens around a pain in the butt. On my other zooms though, I always use it. The genius of the 24-70 hood impressses me a lot, too :D.

Actually17-40 on 1.6 crop camera is equivalent of 27.2-64mm, so the original hood which is designed for FF camera is not that effective. However you can use other EW-83* hood to do the job on 1.6 crop camera.

Here's an useful article http://burren.cx/photo/alternate_hoods.html

One thing to mention, most of zoom lens hoods are optimized for their shortest focal length except EF 24-70L as far as I know.

[Tom W]

You never know when that dog is going to jump up or whatever and smudge your lens.


Last time I went hoodless, that is exactly what happened. My sister's dog must have thought that "L" meant "lick" because that's what he did - to the front of my 24-70. No damage, but I had to stop shooting and clean the lens.

[Jim_T]

I use lens hoods on all my lenses. The only time I take one off is if it's going to block light..

FWIW, If you have a bright light shining on the front element from an angle, you may not see any lens flare, but you can suffer a slight loss in image contrast. I found my EF 100-400 was very prone to this.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Some dog noses are long enough to reach the front element in spite of the lens cap :(

Don't ask :D



Totally agree.

Well buy a bigger dog lol. I know what you mean. My red heeler has quite the snout but he knows better than to jump.

This is how disciplined he is:

http://www.jeffreyallred.com/images/eddi.jpg

I dont know why this color is so off one I upload it but it looks different in photoshop. More contrast by quite a bit. And I didnt even enhance it.

[hulla]

I must be rare in that I like to use the onboard flash occasionally for fill.

The hood can block a portion of the onboard flash and result in a dark shadow at the bottom middle of the picture. Took me a few minutes to figure out where the weird shadow came from.

Lesson: Don't use the onboard flash with the lens hood (or long lens) on.

[Jon]

I must be rare in that I like to use the onboard flash occasionally for fill.

The hood can block a portion of the onboard flash and result in a dark shadow at the bottom middle of the picture. Took me a few minutes to figure out where the weird shadow came from.

Lesson: Don't use the onboard flash with the lens hood (or long lens) on.
Dunno how to break this to you, but it's quite likely with big wide-angle lenses, especially zooms, hood or no hood. Yet another reason to get an external flash, not a reason to not use hood.

[Broncobear]

Always with the exception of real close up macros...

[Steiglitz]

The lens hood should be used all the time, inside, outside, in all light. It protects the lens should the camera get bumped, minimizes lens flare from the sun, and it often makes images more vibrant because it blocks lots of ambient light that hits the lens from many angles....the hood should be used even inside at night because even ambient light from lamps, etc can rob the image of vibrancy, so you see, the hood is not just to block the sun.

[PhotoFranz]

I have found that when using my external flash with the widest setting on my lens (28mm), I can get vinyetting. I take the hood off to prevent this

[Steiglitz]

I have found that when using my external flash with the widest setting on my lens (28mm), I can get vinyetting. I take the hood off to prevent this


That's strange...what body/lens does this happen with? I've not found this to be true with my 5D and any lens.

[Jon]

I have found that when using my external flash with the widest setting on my lens (28mm), I can get vinyetting. I take the hood off to prevent thisWhat model flash is this? Canon's EX series cover to 24 mm FF reliably for me (on the rare occasions I use direct flash not bounce).

[picturecrazy]

There is a 3rd reason to NOT use the hood....

Sometimes it blocks the AF assist lamp from your 580/430/whatever flash unit, making it much more difficult to focus in REALLY poor light, like a dance at a wedding or something like that.

I have found my 10-22 hood and 17-55 hood block the AF assist lights from illuminating the centre focus point. When it's super dark, centre point is the only one I use.

[canonphotog]

I don't use the hood on my 17-40-- On a crop sensor it doesn't actually do anything, and it makes carrying the lens around a pain in the butt. On my other zooms though, I always use it. The genius of the 24-70 hood impressses me a lot, too :D.

Actually17-40 on 1.6 crop camera is equivalent of 27.2-64mm, so the original hood which is designed for FF camera is not that effective. However you can use other EW-83* hood to do the job on 1.6 crop camera.

Here's an useful article http://burren.cx/photo/alternate_hoods.html

One thing to mention, most of zoom lens hoods are optimized for their shortest focal length except EF 24-70L as far as I know.

I'll agree here that lens hoods for zoom lenses are optimized for the wide end of the lens.

I'll disagree with CF having anything at all to do with the hoods effectiveness.

The hood is designed to function effectively with the optics of the lens. It doesn't matter what body you put it on, APS-C, APS-H or FF, the lens/hood combo functions the same. You just might not be able to see the complete result in your image.

[René Damkot]

I'll disagree with CF having anything at all to do with the hoods effectiveness.

The hood is designed to function effectively with the optics of the lens. It doesn't matter what body you put it on, APS-C, APS-H or FF, the lens/hood combo functions the same. You just might not be able to see the complete result in your image.

No.
If you put a 50/1.4 for example on a 20D, you could use a longer lens hood. That would be more effective.

[canonphotog]

No.
If you put a 50/1.4 for example on a 20D, you could use a longer lens hood. That would be more effective.

No, that would be guessing, and most likely would start to introduce vignetting once a longer non-appropriate lens hood is attached.

But if it makes you feel better..., Go for it!

[PhotoFranz]

Steiglitz, I should have mentioned this was on an EVF camera, the Minolta A2. I am moving up to a Canon Digital Rebel XTi in March, hence my presence here. Sorry for the omission

[steved110]

My L lenses always wear hoods if I'm using them outdoors. Indoors, I may well take a hood off, especially from the 70-200 f/4

My sigma 30mm f/1.4 came with a bhood, which works well enough, but i tend not to use it much as this is mainly an indoor lens.

My 50 1.8 I use hoodless as well, for the same reason.

I also put UV filters on all my lenses, those front elements are very precious to me. A hood won't stop a stray finger or a wet nose or any number of yucky expectorations fouling the lens.

[tsaraleksi]

I'll agree here that lens hoods for zoom lenses are optimized for the wide end of the lens.

I'll disagree with CF having anything at all to do with the hoods effectiveness.

The hood is designed to function effectively with the optics of the lens. It doesn't matter what body you put it on, APS-C, APS-H or FF, the lens/hood combo functions the same. You just might not be able to see the complete result in your image.

The benefits of a hood are increased as it gets deeper. The negatives of the hood increase as it gets deeper as well (vignetting), all other things being equal. Vignetting occurs on the edges of the frame. If you're cropping off the edges of the frame, you can use a deeper hood, as you won't be able to see its vignetting.

[René Damkot]

No, that would be guessing, and most likely would start to introduce vignetting once a longer non-appropriate lens hood is attached.

Think about it for a sec. : The FoV is like an 80mm on FF. So the lens hood is not in the way for quite a while if you extend it.
You could give it a try if you have a FF and a crop body: Use an EF lens with hood. Use a piece of paper or so to 'extend' the hood, so it *just* starts vignetting. Attach the lens to the crop body. No vignetting.

[canonphotog]

Think about it for a sec. : The FoV is like an 80mm on FF. So the lens hood is not in the way for quite a while if you extend it.
You could give it a try if you have a FF and a crop body: Use an EF lens with hood. Use a piece of paper or so to 'extend' the hood, so it *just* starts vignetting. Attach the lens to the crop body. No vignetting.

Rene,

Your explanation is right on target.

Have you encountered a situation where having a longer hood on would have prevented flare that turned up in an image making it necessary to start carrying a longer lens hood for your lenses.

Have you considered after market possibilities for CF lens hoods? (ie., Designing and marketing your own)

[René Damkot]

Rene,

Your explanation is right on target.

Have you encountered a situation where having a longer hood on would have prevented flare that turned up in an image making it necessary to start carrying a longer lens hood for your lenses.

Have you considered after market possibilities for CF lens hoods? (ie., Designing and marketing your own)

Hahaha. I heven't started making my own hoods yet, but I have encountered situations where an extra bit of 'hooding' (using my hand or a black piece of paper) did help a lot to prevent flare. That's on a 1D2...
If I'd use a 20D or so, I'd try to find some longer fitting hoods for sure. (Like putting the ES65 on the 35/2.0 instead of a EW 65. Should just be possible without vignetting....)

[birdstrike]

Ask these folks...

http://susilo.typepad.com/nurani/images/fotografer.jpeg

I count 18 lenses. How many hoods?

[Mark_Cohran]

I use a lens hood whenever possible - which is just about always.

Mark

[ilovemycamera]

Birdstrike... good point. I have a hard time using mine on my tammy. Maybe it's lack of experience/knowledge!

[birdstrike]

Birdstrike... good point. I have a hard time using mine on my tammy. Maybe it's lack of experience/knowledge!

A lens hood is a tool to be used when appropriate. There are many places where a hood is appropriate and many where it is not appropriate or doesn't matter.

This is another one of those questions like using a daylight filter to protect your lens. If the manufacturer thought another piece of glass in front of your optics was important, they would have included it.

I rarely use a hood, but all of my lenses have a pointless daylight filter permanently installed. ;)

[ilovemycamera]

True. Mine do, too. I look at it as an extra layer of protection for the front of my lens, but as far as the hood... can't answer that one.

[Woolburr]

A lens hood is a tool to be used when appropriate. There are many places where a hood is appropriate and many where it is not appropriate or doesn't matter.

This is another one of those questions like using a daylight filter to protect your lens. If the manufacturer thought another piece of glass in front of your optics was important, they would have included it.

I rarely use a hood, but all of my lenses have a pointless daylight filter permanently installed. ;)

The manufacturers do make hoods for all the lenses, so using your reasoning...my lenses always have hoods in place unless they physically block the light or otherwise interfere with my ability to take the photo.

And since the manufacturers do not place silly senseless extra bits of glass on the front of the lens, daylight, UV or other protection filters are never attached unless it is for weather sealing purposes..(ie blowing sand, salt spray or other environmental hazard). Filters for effect such as polarizers or ND/ND grads are placed and adjusted and the hood reinstalled prior to taking the image.

I always use a hood if possible, and none of my lenses have a pointless daylight filter permanently installed. ;)

[Jon]

A lens hood is a tool to be used when appropriate. There are many places where a hood is appropriate and many where it is not appropriate or doesn't matter.

This is another one of those questions like using a daylight filter to protect your lens. If the manufacturer thought another piece of glass in front of your optics was important, they would have included it.

I rarely use a hood, but all of my lenses have a pointless daylight filter permanently installed. ;)
Well, since Canon stipulates that a number of their weather-sealed lenses require the filter they don't include to maintain the weather-sealing and they only provid hoods OOB with the L lenses, do we conclude that the non-L lenses don't need hoods? Canon does distribute filters, although it's believed that they don't make them, so if presence of a hood on the product list implies necessity, the same may also apply to filters.

All my lenses have both hoods and filters (except for the 16 fisheye and 15-30 which have "built-in" hoods and won't accept filters).

[Steiglitz]

A lens hood is a tool to be used when appropriate. There are many places where a hood is appropriate and many where it is not appropriate or doesn't matter.

This is another one of those questions like using a daylight filter to protect your lens. If the manufacturer thought another piece of glass in front of your optics was important, they would have included it.

I rarely use a hood, but all of my lenses have a pointless daylight filter permanently installed. ;)

The fact that you mostly don't use a hood seems errant to me. I think you're greatly underestimating the evils of ambient light striking your lens at all angles, which can rob your image of vibrancy...a hood will mitigate this, and for this reason alone a hood should be used most if not all the time. As for filters, I never keep them on permamently, unless I need a specific effect...I want the full benefits of my expensive glass.

[Choderboy]

No, that would be guessing, and most likely would start to introduce vignetting once a longer non-appropriate lens hood is attached.

But if it makes you feel better..., Go for it!

It's not guessing! Call it trial and error , experimentation , testing , whatever.

Example - EW83D11 hood on the 17-40. No vignetting. Has to be more effective due to the smaller size / longer length. Much more convenient and offers more protection. The numerous users who tried that hood and posted results took all the guesswork out. I just double checked when I first got it.

[sm1rf]

Ask these folks...

http://susilo.typepad.com/nurani/images/fotografer.jpeg

I count 18 lenses. How many hoods?

I count 21;) visible! Lenses that is.

[Jon, The Elder]

Jim T.....Yeah me also.

Unless it interferes with the shot....ALWAYS use it.

[ilovemycamera]

I count 21;) visible! Lenses that is.


Wow. It's like white gold out there!:lol:

[BearLeeAlive]

I almost always use a hood. You do have to watch, I commonly take my 24-105 and 10-22 out together when walking about. They both fit either lens but I have ended up with a few shots at 10mm where I had accidentally used the 24-105 hood and as it is a bit longer it shows on the edges of the photo.

[Marshall]

Take off the lens hood when using the built in flash, as depending on the lens in use a shadow could be cast.

[Bamamike]

@Steiglitz, I fully agree, no way to degrade my lenses worth of $XXXX with a $XX filter. The hood is the cheapest and zero degrading optical solution to protect your lens and get the best results for your pictures.:D

[jdos2]

Hoods? Always. When I bought my 50mm f/1.4, I bought a rubber filter directly. Before it came out of the box, I had the hood for it.

Hoods perform the same function that roofing filters do in radios, and limit the system from light that can do nothing for an image but interfere with it.

[jejaka]

I find out my EW-83J hood are blocking the assist lamp emitted by 580EX on Canon 400D.. that why i got focusing problem (back fokus)..