to hood or not to hood?

HopefulM

HopefulM

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Maria
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"the 1.4 is a lovely lens but make sure you buy a hood for it (chinese copies are like 3 quid on ebay) as the focussing motor can get damaged, in fact never take that hood off "

this was posted on a previous thread, and I wondered if anyone could explain? I've just got an AF-S 1.4G (and I'm VERY happy!:D) I've not put the hood on it and I'm worried in case I'm damaging it somehow?

thanks
 
I can't think of any way you could damage a focussing motor by not using a lens hood. I think that's rubbish. However I always use a lens hood for protection!
 
I guess the the cheaper lenses which do not focus internally could be damaged if a hood was knocked, but then again if the front element was knocked in the same way, more damage is likely.
 
Hi Maria, using the hood gives better contrast, helps to avoid lens flare and helps to protect the front element. I always use mine! :)
 
I have never found a hood to give me better contrast and not yet has it managed to reduce flare, although we are talking about my Sigma 10-20 which is my only hooded lens, and being so wide the hood probably isn't very effective. Having said that, I keep my hood on most times as it can help protect the element when I don't have the polarizer on, and it makes the lens look good...
 
I always thought this was to do with the Canon 50mm f/1.4, which has the older style USM motor and is apparently quite delicate? Never heard it mentioned with regard to the Nikon equivalents, but I guess it could be the case.

Can't say I've had any problems with my Canon lens, although I do tend to be extra careful with it because of the stories.
 
trencheel303 said:
I have never found a hood to give me better contrast and not yet has it managed to reduce flare, although we are talking about my Sigma 10-20 which is my only hooded lens, and being so wide the hood probably isn't very effective. Having said that, I keep my hood on most times as it can help protect the element when I don't have the polarizer on, and it makes the lens look good...
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Try shooting at 90 deg to the sun with and without the hood on and see if it makes a difference :)
 
I think some scaremongers are referring to the fact that the front of the lens extends slightly during zoom operations...Theoretically, you could knock this and cause some damage, but it's pretty unlikely that any knock hard enough to damage the AF motor wouldn't also smash the crap out of the rest of the len too...

But yes, get a lens hood and a UV filter on there for peace of mind...
For the why's and wherefore's do a quick search on this forum... where? Scroll up, look at the blue bit, click on 'search' off you go...
 
davekiddle said:
Try shooting at 90 deg to the sun with and without the hood on and see if it makes a difference :)
Click to expand...

Yep, thats exactly what I did, but as I said I was using an ultrawide lens.
 
thanks again guys :)

I've got a UV filter on it anyway, looks like the hood is going to be a permanent fixture too! :thumbs:

advice very much appreciated!
 
awp said:
I can't think of any way you could damage a focussing motor by not using a lens hood. I think that's rubbish. However I always use a lens hood for protection!
Click to expand...

canon 50/1.4 USM has an extending front element which can upset the focus motor if pushed in

also hoods are good for protection and flare generally on any lens
 
And they make it look good, especially my Sigma 10-20 :love:
 
HopefulM said:
"the 1.4 is a lovely lens but make sure you buy a hood for it (chinese copies are like 3 quid on ebay) as the focussing motor can get damaged, in fact never take that hood off "

this was posted on a previous thread, and I wondered if anyone could explain? I've just got an AF-S 1.4G (and I'm VERY happy!:D) I've not put the hood on it and I'm worried in case I'm damaging it somehow?

thanks
Click to expand...

Not quite sure what the quote is about, or which lens you're referring to, but if the lens has a front element that rotates during focusing (ie most kit zooms for example) if you don't disengage the AF when fitting a hood, ie switch to manual focus, then you can put quite a lot of torque through the gears in the AF mechanism, when you twist the hood into position.

Yes, that could damage it I guess - just switch off the AF. But with f/1.4 you're not talking about a kit zoom are you? :thinking:

Whatever, I shouldn't worry. I always use a hood, both for protection and because it can only ever improve image quality - and often does!
 
HoppyUK said:
Not quite sure what the quote is about, or which lens you're referring to, but if the lens has a front element that rotates during focusing (ie most kit zooms for example) if you don't disengage the AF when fitting a hood, ie switch to manual focus, then you can put quite a lot of torque through the gears in the AF mechanism, when you twist the hood into position.

Yes, that could damage it I guess - just switch off the AF. But with f/1.4 you're not talking about a kit zoom are you? :thinking:

Whatever, I shouldn't worry. I always use a hood, both for protection and because it can only ever improve image quality - and often does!
Click to expand...

its the canon ef50/1.4
 
Yup, always use a hood!

As stated above: reduces less flare, gives greater contrast (by reducing stray light), improves protection (better to knock the hood than knock the lens)

...and yeah, it makes it bigger...and size DOES matter!

[having said that, I don't have a hood for my 50/1.4 - whoops]
 
I was up on Stanage Edge waiting for the sun to go down last winter, and the camera was on a tripod. I was jumping around trying to keep warm with my hands in my pockets and a gust of wind blew my camera and tripod off of the rock and the whole thing fell about 8 feet onto rocks below. There was a sickening breaking sound and I saw pieces fly off when it hit. After climbing down to retrieve the wreckage I found the camera and lens were ok but the lens hood was in pieces. I was lucky because the lens hood had obviously absorbed the force of the fall, thereby protecting the camera.
The worst think was that as I struggled to get my hands out of my pockets and get to the camera before it fell, the whole thing seemed to overbalance in slow motion.
 
i have the canon 50 1.4 and yes the extending barrel is a PITA, have to make sure that when putting the lens in the bag its fully wound down.
Its the whole thing getting misaligned from knocks and causing further problems. I dont have a hood yet for that lens but i really should!
 
HopefulM said:
it was the Nikon AF-S 1.4G actually :)
Click to expand...

always hood........but this lens comes with a hood anyway so no need for a Chinese one from evil bay. I'd be surprised if you could easily damage the motor though
 
I bought one of them rubber extending hoods with the intention to swap it between my kit lens and my 50, but its too good to not leave on so Ive ordered another one.
 
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