How important ....

[mike_j]

[Stephen]

Re: How important ....

but it feels naked and unprotected.

Often I see DSLR users with big tele lenses using the lenses with hoods permanently reversed, even in bright sunlight and most compact cameras simply can't use a lens hood.

So how important do you think a lens hood is?

I think you have just about summed up the hoods importance here. In my own case the front element of my lenses is very near the front of the lens barrel. ie its not recessed. I consider it essential that it has the protection of the hood, and on many occasions it has protected the glass from bumps and scratches. Not only this but it helps keep out extraneous light from causing flare. It does seem like the manufacturers offering is a bit pricey and I'd think that if the cheap one you have seen does not cause any problems of vignetting its got to be the way forward.

Can't understand the sense in using my lenses with the hood reversed, for me it just gets in the way and is only used like that for storing the lens away in the bag.

[Pops]

Re: How important ....

The only time my hood/s are removed is for transporting the lens in my bag. I hate to think of the possible damage that could be caused especially with the 400 mm without having the hood fitted.

[Woofmix]

Re: How important ....

I always use them, on occasions where there is an overcast sky and no direct sunlight or light source I'll leave it off if I've changed lenses for one shot and then intend to change back again. Generally though I just don't like the idea of getting great shot and finding it has flare which could have been avoided by using a hood. The protection element is also a strong consideration.
I've got very good lenses and feel that using a lens hood is just part of the course to ensure a shot isn't compromised by something I could have avoided.

Paul

[Bear]

Re: How important ....

Always use a hood, only reverse them to store the lens. Can't really see the point of not using one and, in any case, how difficult is it to attach a lens hood ?

[Stephen]

Re: How important ....

Always use a hood, only reverse them to store the lens. Can't really see the point of not using one and, in any case, how difficult is it to attach a lens hood ?

It makes me wonder why some lenses don't come with a lens hood supplied.

[Bear]

Re: How important ....

Cheapskate manufacturers perhaps.

[mike_j]

Re: How important ....

Cheapskate manufacturers perhaps.

I entirely agree - let's name and shame them! Leica, Zeiss and Voigtlander.

In my case the Nokton 35mm f1.4. To be fair, most Voigtander lenses do have a rudimentary hood supplied, just not this, and a few other models.

[Patrick]

Re: How important ....

I entirely agree - let's name and shame them! Leica, Zeiss and Voigtlander.

In my case the Nokton 35mm f1.4. To be fair, most Voigtander lenses do have a rudimentary hood supplied, just not this, and a few other models.

Lets not forget that some Canon lenses come without a hood.

Patrick

[ash]

Re: How important ....

I keep the hoods on all lenses even when in the bag or whatever Im transporting my camera in, I have quite a few different bags for different occasions and only buy bag protection if it will fit the body & lens & hood attached.
Macro lenses don't seem to come with hoods, the reason obvious I think!
Ash.

[kennykodak]

Re: How important ....

besides the obvious, preventing lens flare and offering protection to the front element, lens hoods also block extraneous light thus providing better color saturation of the subject. my Canon 100L Macro came with a hood which i carry reversed on the lens my Crumpler bag.

[Ian]

Re: How important ....

It makes me wonder why some lenses don't come with a lens hood supplied.

I think Canon is the biggest sinner in this respect. Only a few (if any?) non L-series lenses are supplied with hoods as standard. Most others are, although I have noticed that Olympus m.Zuiko lenses (Micro Four Thirds) aren't, although this may be because of the space factor in order to reduce the bulk of these compact system cameras.

Ian