I'm going to the zoo tomorrow ... (hood question)

I'm going to the zoo tomorrow with 70-200 f4 L. This is actually the first real outing that I'm going to take my lens on. I don't want to bring the lens hood, because it seems very big, and I think that I might be a little versatile in moving between crowds because it will make the lens that much shorter. Am I making a mistake?

In other words, does everyone always use their lens hoods everytime they go out? I'm always reading threads saying, "you should always use the lens hood for protetion and better image," but never about "the lens hood isn't 100% necessary". Should I just put it on the lens tomorrow as there are more benefits than harm in doing so?

just bring it! i don't see how troublesome the crowd will be. its not like they're unveiling some new pandas or something.l

And what happens when that lady's zipper puts a fat scratch on your front element or filter when you're moving hoodless through the crowd?

Always use the lens hood. I don't se the advantage with reduced length. If it's hanging off of your neck, the lens will lay parallel to your chest. If you are holding it, you can hold it straight up. A small difference in length would not justify sacrificing protection and possibly better image quality for me.

Hi segasaturn,

justa few thoughts,

Con's - its a little longer
Pro's - it reduces stray light hitting the front element and reducing contrast and flare, it protects your front element for direct contact by physical objects (other people being careless), it protects the front element from most airbourne particles (dust, rain, sneezed snot)

If a lens comes with a hood I always use it, I also always put on a protect filter but thats just belt and braces protection. Generally when out with 70-200 i leave the tripod collar on and at the 12 o'clock position. If theres nobody about I carry it by the collar (hook index and middle finger under the collar, ring and pinkie go behind the collar and thumb goes over the top), if there are people around then I hold the body in my left hand and have the lens resting up my left arm (kinda holding it like a baby)

Hope that helps and that you have a good day at the zoo

Regards

BearSummer

segasaturn wrote in post #2885295
I'm going to the zoo tomorrow with 70-200 f4 L. This is actually the first real outing that I'm going to take my lens on. I don't want to bring the lens hood, because it seems very big, and I think that I might be a little versatile in moving between crowds because it will make the lens that much shorter. Am I making a mistake?

In other words, does everyone always use their lens hoods everytime they go out? I'm always reading threads saying, "you should always use the lens hood for protetion and better image," but never about "the lens hood isn't 100% necessary". Should I just put it on the lens tomorrow as there are more benefits than harm in doing so?

Use the judgement that enables you to make the better decision. I have shot from an enclosed vehicle with a 100-400 and removed the hood simply because there wasn't enough space to line up my face, my camera, and my 1-4 in the appropriate direction of my subject.

Again in a vehicle this morning I removed my 24-105's hood to enable me to point it at an awkward angle. I almost always have them on wherever possible, but will take them off if my judgement calls for it. I like to think the ol' brain is still useful.

Don't let the 'what ifs' scare you. What if you get run over on your way to the zoo.. never mind the lens getting scratched or something just because you don't have a hood on. What if there is flare.. oh wait, what if an airborne pigeon lands a laser-guided poop in my head.. well tough luck to me

Hood or no hood is not a life or death situation much as some might like to make it out to be. Shoot more, worry less.

Many good points made. To me the overriding one is lens protection. In a crowd you often get bumped moving around. All the more reason to use the hood.

Stan43 wrote in post #2885597
Many good points made. To me the overriding one is lens protection. In a crowd you often get bumped moving around. All the more reason to use the hood.

Oh yeah, I forgot the crowd part - whenever I am in dense crowds, I DEFINITELY want my hoods on. I would keep it on in the crowds if I were you. The hoods offer real and tangible protection here since you ARE going to get bumped. I tend to hold my rig so that the lens front element faces down towards the ground when not shooting, this greatly reduces the likelihood of anything hitting it.

Okay. Thanks for the comments. I am leaving for the zoo right now WITH the hood! It's right next to Waikiki beach so if I have time, maybe I'll also be able to take pictures of other types of chicks.

segasaturn wrote in post #2885295
I'm going to the zoo tomorrow with 70-200 f4 L. This is actually the first real outing that I'm going to take my lens on. I don't want to bring the lens hood, because it seems very big, and I think that I might be a little versatile in moving between crowds because it will make the lens that much shorter. Am I making a mistake?

In other words, does everyone always use their lens hoods everytime they go out? I'm always reading threads saying, "you should always use the lens hood for protetion and better image," but never about "the lens hood isn't 100% necessary". Should I just put it on the lens tomorrow as there are more benefits than harm in doing so?

there are very few times that i do not use a hood but there are times. the zoo is a place where i would absolutely use a hood all the time because of the crowds and sunlight.

are you self-conscious about how your camera appears because really the argument i've highlighted is very weak.

ed rader

Blimey, how popular is this zoo if you cannot move for the crowds?!?!

I'm also a fan of permanently using the lens hoods, it's just another bit of protection for the lens

Gotta use a hood. Those monkeys aren't throwing Nerf balls.

Use the hood for sure

All right all right. Yeah, the zoo was so empty. The last time I went to the Honolulu zoo was probably 15 years ago. I thought it would have gotten 10 times more crowded than back then. I don't know what I was thinking!

Actually, maybe I didn't explain everything. What I had to do was supervise a child in a wheelchair, and operate a video camera at the same time. I thought that the hood would be cumbersome, but it was not at all.

Any good piccies to share then?