Lens Hood Question

[Runmonty]

I would love to get thoughts of the forum members about the use of lens hoods.

To put my question into perspective, I recently saw a discussion on the web where someone ridiculed a “newbie” photographer for using their lens hood backwards. The subsequent discussion included claims that using a lens hood is the single most important thing you can do to improve your photography and that it will significantly improve all shots, even if lens flare is no consideration. Comments were made about the engineering that goes into their design to make them an integral part of the precision optics of the lens. Now I may have paraphrased slightly, but the general idea was that lens hoods should always be used and will provide far superior images in all situations, by limiting extraneous light.

Personally I will confess to not religiously using them. Firstly the only hoods I have are for my “L” lenses and not any others. I store my lenses with the hood reversed and like the “newbie” I can be seen on occasions to leave it this way when shooting. I always use them when shooting into the light or if it is glary with a lot of reflected light. I tend not to use them if I want to be less conspicuous (recently when I used the lens hood on my telephoto zoom my son asked if I was compensating for something) . Other times I am indifferent, sometimes I do - sometimes I don’t.

I have no doubt about their use in reducing lens flare, but I am wondering if I should be more vigilant about using them in general use and would appreciate others thoughts on the subject.

[GreenleafJason]

I am still new to photography as I have only had my DSLR for about 2 years now but I have recently made a change in how I am using the lens hood on my 18-135mm lens. In the past I have used it when I was outside in the sun. When I was inside for birthdays, holidays and others pictures like that I would usually thow it in my bag so the lens wasn't so large. When I purchaced the camera the salesperson talked me into a clear filter for protection. I have now decided not to use the filter in order to increase sharpness and I will always use the lens hood to protect the front piece of glass. I can't comment on the quality of the pictures when using a lens hood but I like the protection from damage they offer.

[Iguanasan]

First off, anyone who ridicules a newbie for anything should be ignored. Frankly, I've gotten to the point in my life where those types of people just don't matter.

As for whether or not it affects the "quality" of the image, it absolutely does, depending upon a number of different situations. If you are shooting at such an angle as to have the camera lens pointing in the general direction of the sun so that direct sunlight can enter at an odd angle and create lens flares AND you do not want the lens flare or potential washed out look then you should be able to avoid those issues by using a lens hood.

If you WANT the lens flare or the "washed out" look to give the viewer the feeling of what the sun was like that day and add potential interest to the shot based on your vision then leave the lens hood on backwards or in the bag.

Unless I am consciously trying to avoid the sunlight from having an impact on my image I use the lens hood. For me, I generally leave it on backwards as an extra 2 to 3 inches on top of my 70-300mm lens makes for a VERY LONG looking lens. Unless I need the hood for something, I leave it on backwards. For me, most of the time I'm shooting, I want the viewer to feel like they where there. If I'm squinting because I'm looking into the sun, that's what's making the impression of the light on me at the moment and I want the viewer to have a similar feeling. That's why I'm taking the shot.

If I'm working on getting a nice portrait and I want to avoid having the streaming sunlight that I'm using as a backlight then I work on positioning the subject and using my lens hood to solve that issue.

These "high and mighty" experts need to get down off their freakin' high horse and learn that there is no spoon.

[Marko]

"Single most important thing to improve your photography...." seriously?

Lens hoods have their place in keeping sun and flare off your front lens element - when that isn't happening I don't see their usefulness.

Lens hoods and using them with polarising filters are often a pain in the arse.

Given that I personally think a polarizer is more important on average than a lens hood....I don't buy this at all. A polariser is on my lens when I'm shooting outdoors about 90% of the time...a lens hood...maybe 10% of the time.

It's the simplest test in the world though....take 2 shots and compare them. If you can't see the difference, then it doesn't matter.

[frieri]

...the general idea was that lens hoods should always be used and will provide far superior images in all situations, by limiting extraneous light...

I don't think so, but I've various fixed-focal length lenses, and I always use the hood to prevent glare or flare and to protect the lens.

[Runmonty]

Thank you guys for your comments. It looks like we are on the same page. I will keep doing what I have been doing.

I do suspect some of the comments that I read at the other site were a result of false bravado and insecure competitiveness. When I see some of these sites it really does make me appreciate this forum for its friendliness, practical knowledge and lack of oneupmanship.

[Marko]

Yeah the 'need to be right' or have your voice constantly heard (even when you are unsure of yourself or outright wrong) - is a disease that I am very familiar with.
I know lots of people like that and I can hang out with them for a couple of hours at most....every few months at most.

[Mad Aussie]

Wow ... you're tolerant Marko. I just tell them to f off It saves on headache tablets.

RunM ... If there's lot of light around ... I use my hoods. Polariser or not actually. If it's a dull overcast day then I don't. Shooting at night ... I use my hoods. Raining ... I use my hoods. Shooting up against glass, fences or other objects ... I use my hoods. Actually using the hood for glass is for reflected light as well. Wanna look cool ... I use my hoods
When I'm not using my hoods, and then don't interfere too much with using the lens ... I too screw them on backwards ... and if someone ever says anything ... I'll tell them to f off

[Runmonty]

Thanks for that MA. I hadn't thought about glass, but it does make sense.

[Keego]

I didn't want to make a new forum (on other forums I always get the "you should search for that topic! URRRGGGGHH)

So I bought a hood for my nikon D3200 (18-55mm kit lens) but it doesn't fit, and I thought it strange that hoods only fit 2 - 4 lenses. So I have this hood I'm probably never going to use, anyone run into this issue? Wasn't expensive enough to justify returning it (i bought it online) It's a H-32 Hood, I wanted to get a hood for the toronto autoshow because of all the bright lights etc. I can't actually find a hood that will work with my kit lens.

Also, I was watching a few videos online about Hoods and why you should use hoods etc. I do agree some conditions don't merit having one on, but this one youtuber made a really great point saying that it will also help if you accidentally bump your lens into something to offer it some protection. With I am guessing in a crowded public area might be a great idea (just a thought)