Who uses lens hoods with flash "at night"?

I am concerned as to whether I should use my lens hoods on my wide angle lenses indoors at night.

Any advice appreciated.:o

I don't take my hoods off. Ever. I only reverse them for in the bag. Not sure why you think the hood is a concern. You should be either bouncing your flash or pulling out the wide angle panel on your 580EX.

I keep mine all the time, it not only stops flare, but also protects the front of the lens.
Give how big the lens element is on the 17-70 I consider that quite important (yes, there is also a UV filter there, but I tend to take it off when using flash, as it often catches bad reflections).

Unless your using the on board flash, any hot shoe mounted flash is going to reach over the hood in the vast majority of shooting situations. Especially if you are bouncing it

The only time a hood might get in the way is if your shooting macros, in which case the hot shoe is not always the best place for the flash to be.

like others, i always use mine. I dont use a UV filter so the hood is my only protection for the front glass. I reverse it to put it back in the bag

I'm the same they are always on.

Good protection for the lense. I always use the hood.

Thank you all, the advice is much appreciated and will be followed.

always on...............

I get strange looks and have been told "that's used whent he sun is out".

It's still the best protection out there for the front element.