Lens Hood

Gents,

Let me start by saying that I'm in diapers in the DSLR world. I am taking the time to read as much as time allows me to learn to shoot one day in M mode. I am taking one step at a time.

Excuse the ignorance but is a Lens Hood for?

My current setup is Canon Rebel T1i - EFS 18-55mm - EFS 55-250mm - Speedlite 270EX - Speelite 430EXII.

I also have another question, for what I have been reading, I know that if I'm shooting indoors at night or in poor lighting I should increase my ISO to about 800. The question I have isn't that a little high even if I'm using a flash?, I have two flashes by the way.

A lens hood blocks extraneous light from entering the lens at an angle, thus preventing flare.

In addition to blocking harsh light coming in at an angle which will diminish apparent image sharpness, saturation and contrast, it will also act as a great "shock absorber" should you run the lens into something.

Also, think of a baseball player on the field, in the bright mid day sun. Notice how they like to bend the brims of their ball hats into a narrow "snoot" over their eyes, plunging that part of their face into partial shadow? They're creating a FACIAL LENSHOOD. It blocks the glare from their eyes, so they can have a sharper, clearer, better view of that incoming fly ball. Same difference. And welcome to POTN Robb. - Stu

It can also be used as a method of lens protection, along with filters. Lens hoods, however, do not involve potentially degrading your image as some filters can do.

As for your other question, it really does depend on what you are shooting. But, if you are going to use the existing light chances are you will need to get the ISO to 800 or even 1600 to produce a usable image. Yes you can use your flashes, in that case you can turn the ISO back up to 100. But keep in mind that flashes do not help you after so much distance...

I never shoot without a lens hood. Indispensable in my opinion...

Bryan

Under what conditions should I use a lens hood?

Should I only use the lens hood in my EFS 55-250mm IS ? or Can I use it in both of my lenses?

Sorry guys, I feel kind of dum asking these questions.

robbykh wrote in post #9464480
Under what conditions should I use a lens hood?

Should I only use the lens hood in my EFS 55-250mm IS ? or Can I use it in both of my lenses?

Sorry guys, I feel kind of dum asking these questions.

All conditions - . why not?

if the hood fits, use it. note that on some lenses, a particular hood may fit but it may cause vignetting or not completely block glare. if the lens comes with a hood, use that hood.

I just saw a lens hood in ebay for ten bucks. Does that sounds about right?

See below.

http://cgi.ebay.com …ories?hash=item​255869c95d

robbykh wrote in post #9464480
Under what conditions should I use a lens hood?

Should I only use the lens hood in my EFS 55-250mm IS ? or Can I use it in both of my lenses?

Sorry guys, I feel kind of dum asking these questions.

Don't feel one bit self conscious or dumb. At one time, everyone here didn't know the answer to the questions you ask.

And we're here to help

Each lens hood belongs to a particular lens. If they have the same diameter it might fit another lens but you will have to make sure that it doesn't obscure some of what you're photographing.

Putting a lens hood designed for a 50mm lens on a 24mm lens would mean that the edges of the shot would see the hood. (I hope you follow me there...)

Anyways, easiest way is to take some shots and see how it works out.

Thanks Gents & Gals,

They are selling on Ebay an snap on lens hood and a UV lens filter that fits my lens.
What is a UV filter for?

http://cgi.ebay.com …DDSIC%26otn%3D5​%26ps%3D63

You should not use a "generic"petal type hood for your 18-55 lens. These types of hoods just screw into your front filter threads. The problems is the 18-55 has a front lens element that rotates when you focus. This will cause the "petals" to move and be in the wrong position with wide angle photos.

I almost always use a hood, except when shooting macro. It can block the flash if you have it on-camera as well (but you should try not to have it on-camera anyway).

robbykh wrote in post #9464585
What is a UV filter for?

Not much, and a cheap one will do more harm than good.

Where a neutral filter (such as a UV) can be handy is when working in a very harsh environment, where it can protect the front lens element from, for example, flying sand.

As far as actually using it for the purpose for which it was designed, filtering out UV, there is no need, since this is already filtered out by coatings on your sensor.

They were extremely useful back in film days, filtering out the UV somewhat from light and improving image quality. This is no longer the case with digital. Either use a high quality filter or none at all.

A $10 filter will just degrade your images as it has little or no multicoating at all, and will just be a waste of money. The (expensive) high quality coatings minimize and eliminate much reflection, glare and flare. They really show their abilities under extreme lighting conditions.

robbykh wrote in post #9464585
Thanks Gents & Gals,

They are selling on Ebay an snap on lens hood and a UV lens filter that fits my lens.
What is a UV filter for?

http://cgi.ebay.com …DDSIC%26otn%3D5​%26ps%3D63

Thanks msowsun,

I should use one of these in both of my lenses.??