Lens hoods

[glangston]

How many use Canon hoods? Are the screw in rubber hoods a viable alternative or do they inhibit filter use? Any other hoods to recommend? I like the idea of the rubber hood but just don't know the plus and minus of it.

I have the hood for my 70-200 and 17-40 but am interested in one for the 50 1.4 and possibly for the 85 1.8 in the future.

[jbradc]

I have used both and I like the Canon hoods better. They offer more protection because they are hard plastic and like you pointed out they do not screw on so you can still use filters if needed. As a matter of fact I just picked up Canon hoods for my 28 F1.8 and 85 F1.8 lenses today.

[jfrancho]

I have a 58mm rubber camcorder style hood. It has female threads that accept 58mm filters, although I usually screw the hood on after the filter. It's real ugly, blocks the flash, but works real well. It isn't going to offer any protection to the front element, and can be a real hassle in the camera bag.

[RJSorensen]

I use only Canon hoods for the lens . . . they are stiff and rugged, also they get scratched up some, lol. But the lens stay good, clean and not scratched up at all. I think color is better with a hood than with out one.

[glangston]

Thanks , you've answered my question perfectly. I'll be getting the real thing.

[Billy Ocean]

What's the point of using a hood? Simply to protect the lense? Are there any other advantages? Do they cut down on your vision at all? Forgive me, I'm new to this and I'm trying to learn. Thanks

[RJSorensen]

A hood keeps stray light out of your lens. It also only lets in the reflected light of the subject you are photographing. They (hoods) by default protect the lens, at least the good ones. Also with modern lens glass there is no need to add a UV filter, as the lens is already protected in this way. In sand or salt spray you may want to use a 'protective' lens cover, but other than that, hoods add to your photo and take noting away.

[Mike Panic]

i use a rubber hood on my 50mm f/1.8 - and you can screw filters ontop of that if need be

[Billy Ocean]

A hood keeps stray light out of your lens. It also only lets in the reflected light of the subject you are photographing. They (hoods) by default protect the lens, at least the good ones. Also with modern lens glass there is no need to add a UV filter, as the lens is already protected in this way. In sand or salt spray you may want to use a 'protective' lens cover, but other than that, hoods add to your photo and take noting away.


Great answer. thank you. :D

[robertwgross]

Stray light could be from anywhere. Most likely, the stray light is from the sun. If you are shooting anywhere in the direction of the sun, then sunlight will cause a flare problem. The hood eliminates nearly all of that, except if you are shooting almost directly at the sun. Basically, the hood keeps your lens seeing only the subject and background, and extraneous light is blocked.

---Bob Gross---

[gramps]

I hate using hoods BUT there is a Canon hood on every on of my lenses.

[Todd Jacobsen]

Also with modern lens glass there is no need to add a UV filter, as the lens is already protected in this way. In sand or salt spray you may want to use a 'protective' lens cover, but other than that, hoods add to your photo and take noting away.

True but...

Use of a UV filter today is more for lens PROTECTION vs utility.

I would never use a lens without a (protective) filter.

Clean a lens, clean a lens, clean a lens....hey, where did this scratch come from...you can always dump the scratched filter...

[Phil V]

1st hoods,
for the Canon zooms the Canon lens hoods are the only thing to use, but with prime lenses the rubber hood might offer as much protection (from flare). However a rubber hood will not save a falling lens like a solid hood would.

2nd Filters,
Al my lenses have filters fitted all of the time, but I've just had to spend hours cleaning up a couple of wedding photo's (badly flare damaged). I will never shoot paid photo's with filters again, except in really hazardous environment. For a damaged lens there is always insurance, for all the flare damaged photo's there's just a potential hundreds of hours of Photoshop, I value my labour.

[RJSorensen]

Yes there are two camps on the use of protective UV filters, those whom do and those whom use a hood. One just has to choose which camp they fit into best and go with that. One would suppose that you could change camps at any time, and even go back again, if you wish. The 'right' answer is that which you are most comfortable with. There is merit in both. In salt and or sand I put on a "GOOD" UV to protect the lens. But 97.8% of the time I just shoot with my hood(s).

I will note however . . . that a cheep UV on a L lens is not smart. Get all that you pay for, buy a "GOOD" UV . . . or wear nothing at all.

[pierrot]

I have a regular hood for each of my lense, plus one 58mm screw-in collapsible rubber hood that I only use like a "suction pad" when making pictures through a window, to avoid reflections and flare.

[Skip Souza]

But 97.8% of the time I just shoot with my hood(s)......... buy a "GOOD" UV . . . or wear nothing at all.

Let me get this straight. You're saying that 97.8% of the time you wear nothing under your hood? :lol: :lol: :lol: Must be drafty.

[Barb42]

Rubber hoods are great for inside aquarium shots. Shots look like you took them underwater.

I have a 100mm Canon macro arriving tomorrow and I am of two minds about spending another $40 for a hood. I have 3 hoods now I rarely use. And I usually do macro shooting (using 28-135 w/macro setting) in overcast situations or with a diffuser.

[islandtime]

I'm just getting into serious photograph. I will be taking alot of shots around the water. Does a polarizing filter help or hurt the quality? If I use a Polarizing filter would it be best to also use a hood?

[RJSorensen]

You will want to be sure to get a Circular Polarizer for your digital camera so your auto focus will still function . . . and yes a CP is one of the filters that can 'help' a photo. It will make or I should say help make your blue skies darker and bring out details in the sky, even clouds you did not see . . . and take away reflections from water and glass but I think not chrome.

There again buy a GOOD one. Get one for the largest lens you have, and then a step down ring for the rest. Then as you find you need or do not need them fill out the rest of your sizes as you go. I wished I would have gotten mine a lot sooner than I did . . . they are a great creative tool.

[islandtime]

Thanks, I've already bought a linear filter and have had trouble with the auto focus. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you have to compensate exposure around +2 when using a polorizing lense?

[jbradc]

No the camera meters through the lens (TTL) so it takes the filter in to account.