Stupid Question: Hood on a lens, what does it do?

[tommy_t]

I know its a noob question but I'm not quite sure what the hood on a lens does. It obviously keeps light out from the sides but does anyone have sample pictures of this difference? Should I buy a hood for every lens I get?

Thanks

[tommykjensen]

Have a look here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57899

[tommy_t]

Thanks for the great link. That explains it all :P

[elbirth]

I don't mean to hijack your thread or anything... but since the topic is already here-

What's the difference between the styles of lens hoods? For instance, my 2 Sigma lenses have a solid ring for the lens hood, whereas my Tokina lens has a petal-shaped (I think that's what it's called) hood. I imagine it has something to do with the way it blocks out stray light, but I was wondering if there's really a big difference.

[steven]

The shap of the hood has to do with the lens field of view.
With wide angle lens (usually the ones with weird hoods) the field of view is greater around the corners.

[cactusclay]

It keeps the lenses ears warm?

[elbirth]

The shap of the hood has to do with the lens field of view.
With wide angle lens (usually the ones with weird hoods) the field of view is greater around the corners.

I had wondered about that... that makes sense, though, thanks

[FlyingPete]

Also takes the knocks that the lens would other wise take, think of it as insurance!

[SkipD]

I'll tell you from experience how a lens hood is good crash insurance.

Many moons ago - in 1968 to be exact - I was covering the Grand Prix of Monaco for the Stars & Stripes newspaper. I had a couple Nikon F bodies and several lenses for them, plus a lot more, along with me.

In the hubub of moving around quickly, I somehow dropped one of the Nikons with a 28mm f2.8 lens mounted on it about 4 feet onto the sidewalk. The lens hood caved in and absorbed the great majority of the impact force. There was a minor ding on the bottom of the body. I replaced the lens hood at the first opportunity, but I never had to have any repair work done on either the lens or the body. I still have the body and lens and they both work perfectly. I did have a CLA done on the body about 15 years ago, but that was just because the shutter was starting to slow down a bit.

This sounds like an ad for Nikons, but it's just a good example of how lens hoods can save valuable equipment. I have never used a filter to "protect" my lenses, by the way. Also, I have never had a problem with my lenses in 40+ years of using cameras that would have been solved by using a filter. A GOOD lens hood is plenty of protection, in my opinion.

[rgravel]

Many moons ago - in 1968 to be exact - I was covering the Grand Prix of Monaco for the Stars & Stripes newspaper.

I'm so envious Skip. I'm a big fan of F1, especially that era, where great cars like the Lotus 49 where paving the way and shaping what the cars would be for many years to come.

Do you still have pictures of that session ? How about putting them online :)

Robert

[Rtrac1]

I'm so envious Skip. I'm a big fan of F1, especially that era, where great cars like the Lotus 49 where paving the way and shaping what the cars would be for many years to come.

Do you still have pictures of that session ? How about putting them online :)

Robert

Ditto