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-   -   Poll on lens hoods (https://www.worldphotographyforum.com/showthread.php?t=3476)

Don Hoey 01-07-08 18:37

Poll on lens hoods
 
2 Attachment(s)
Super blue skies day so we headed for Wells-Next-The Sea, and saw these guys making what appeared to be a ' How to take Tides Out - Boat photographs '. They were there for over the 3 hours we were there, so were quite serious about the video.

Given that it was a really bright sun, the thing that struck me was that on neither of the lenses being used, did the photographer use a lens hood. Lenses w/a zoom and the lens in the pic that I do not recognise.

So I thought I would set up a fun poll on the subject of lens hood use.

Do you use a lens hood :

1) Never
2) Occasionally
3) Always

Don

yelvertoft 01-07-08 19:00

The sun looks quite high in the sky here Don, that together with the relatively long lenses they appear to be using would suggest there's not much likelihood of flare.

Bet in 3 months time there's a "how to" video of this in Digital Photo magazine, they seem keen on instructional videos.

D.

gordon g 01-07-08 21:24

I only dont use a lens hood when I have Lee filters on (and if I had a Lee hood, I would use that then!), or indoors using on-camera flash (which is almost never). Not only does it shade the lens and reduce flare, it also provides some physical protection for the front element and filter threads.

Adey Baker 01-07-08 23:31

I've managed to lose the hood for my Sigma 50mm macro. It's usually OK but I do get flare with it from certain angles. My old Olympus 50mm macro doesn't have a hood but it has a deeply recessed front element. Otherwise I almost always use a hood.

As well as the flare issue, it's also an added bit of protection against damage

walwyn 02-07-08 14:54

A lens hood is too bulky to carry about for the odd time that it would be useful. If it can't fit into the holster bag along with the camera, then it doesn't get taken. I sometimes make allowances for the TCON17, as that can fit in a jacket pocket, but so far I'm resisting go out with a bag of gear.

gordon g 02-07-08 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by walwyn (Post 29597)
A lens hood is too bulky to carry about for the odd time that it would be useful. If it can't fit into the holster bag along with the camera, then it doesn't get taken. I sometimes make allowances for the TCON17, as that can fit in a jacket pocket, but so far I'm resisting go out with a bag of gear.

That's the nice thing about sigma lenses - they come with a petal-type hood that reverses over the lens barrel, so it doesnt add greatly to the bulk of lens and camera

yelvertoft 02-07-08 20:27

I used to be of the same opinion as walwyn, until I realised that the vast majority of hoods can be stored "reversed" on the lens. I now keep all my hoods (except Sigma 105) stowed this way, and fit/use them on the lens as needed.

jamieZ740 02-07-08 23:06

depends on the lens! if i came with one then yeah!

Don Hoey 03-07-08 09:22

My lenses either have a fixed sliding hood or I bought cheap Hoya rubber jobs so I never really thought about it or what other folk did. Spend the money on the lens then I want the absolute best I can get from it. Showing the age of some of my kit there as hoods were always a seperate item in the old days.

Last year however Ros, new into photography, bought a Sigma 70-300 zoom to complement her kit lens. She was really quite dissapointed with the pics from that lens, and thought she had been sold a pup. A quick look at the pics established that flare was a problem. The lens hood was dug out and as if by magic image quality dramatically improved, and what was considered a duff lens was now a good one. :)

Just proves some lenses are more prone to flare than others, especially in this age of zooms with complex optical designs.

Don

Rudra Sen 03-07-08 13:00

I always use hoods for all my lenses. It's more of a discipline for me.

postcardcv 04-07-08 07:55

Personally I always use lens hoods... looking at the photo I'd say he's using a 70-200 f4.

mw_aurora 04-07-08 15:19

I always use a hood...unless with front filters then I use my hand or cap...

Oh, and I'd agree with Peter on the lens.

steve2005 04-07-08 18:09

Not only is the lens hood good for flare etc., it also helps protect the lens from damage. A couple of years ago I managed to let my Nikon slip from my grip and the lens hood took all the impact between my camera and the tarmac.
Cost me a new lens hood instead of a new lens.

miketoll 06-07-08 15:39

Depends on the lens in use. I use a 70-300 DO a lot and this lens is apparantly prone to flare/loss of contrast so always have the hood in place. It stores reversed on the lens so is no problem to carry around. I do not bother with my other lenses, shielding the lens if necessary with my hand.The one other exception is my new 'toy,' the 400 DO which has not got a thread to take a filter to protect the front element so I always put the hood on to protect that large hunk of very expensive glass.

nirofo 27-07-08 14:51

Never leave home without one?

nirofo.

barrypriddis 03-08-08 06:17

Always use a lens hood unless using flash - and that occurs very rarely as I have not yet got into flash photography.

Horace 06-08-08 18:14

I always keep the hoods on, more to protect the lens.

ollieholmes 06-08-08 21:30

Generaly if i am shooting airshows i keep the lenshood on but for anything else no.

yelvertoft 03-10-08 16:59

1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by yelvertoft (Post 29575)
Bet in 3 months time there's a "how to" video of this in Digital Photo magazine, they seem keen on instructional videos.

D.

Ok,

So it was Practical Photography, not Digital Photo magazine, but other than that.............


Very good issue actually, well worth buying.

Don Hoey 03-10-08 17:15

Cheers Duncan, I will get a copy.

Don

sassan 04-10-08 05:15

I use lens hood all the time, unless I have lost, misplaced or forgotten it.

Even when situation not necessitating a lens hood, it is inverted and on my lens.
Can't forget a nice Japanese co-traveler who on one travel did his best to teach me that "Those hoods are to be used the other way"! Off course he could not speak English and I must have looked stupid enough for him to finally giving up on me on day 4 or 5 of the travel!!!!:D


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