What Is Lens Hood for?

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StirlingBear

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I got this lens with my camera (sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro) and it came with a great big hood for the end of the lens was just wondering what on earth this does as I seem to see no advantage or disadvantage to using it so far.
 
The lens hood will reduce glare so you dont loose contrast from your photos.
 
As above but don't rely on it much from protection. You can still get a knock and it do enough damage to snap the plastic and end cup hitting your front lens element.
 
Have you ever shaded your eyes when looking towards the sun?
That's your eyes being the lens and your hand being a lens hood...

Wait a sec...you're in Scotland - you don't know what the sun is...



Relax....I'm only kidding.
 
philwillmedia said:
Have you ever shaded your eyes when looking towards the sun?
That's your eyes being the lens and your hand being a lens hood...

Wait a sec...you're in Scotland - you don't know what the sun is...



Relax....I'm only kidding.
Click to expand...

very good :D

I managed to get some sun set shots last night but I struggled to get much light at all so I guess the hood would be pointless in that situation. posted a pic up in the landscapes section check it out, not always raining you know :lol:
 
it makes the lens looks bigger and gives you attitude

seriously, its to stop incident light hitting the lens and then bounding about and causing flare
 
Use them all the time,also very good for protecting lens.

When i am out and about,very rarely see people useing them.

:)
 
You can sort of see the effect with your own eyes on a sunny day, look at something nearby and facing towards the sun with the sun not directly in vision. It should be bright enough you want to squint...then shade your eyes with your hand. You'll see the colours briefly appear more saturated with less extra light bouncing around your eyeballs :)

YMMV but it seemed to work last time I tried it!
 
And there was me thinking it was camera makers trying to make their products trendy like the teenagers one sees floating around town centres ...

:bonk:
 
Lens hoods are only really of use in very bright conditions and wet conditions imho. They helpo stop lens flare and as has been said give better contrast (a cupped hand held just out of frame does the same thing however). In the rain they will reduce the amount of water actually on the lens (saving you wiping it all the time).

My issue with them is that they mean you can't use filters etc. at the same time. Also when reversed they get in the way of being able to manually focus.
 
JCoquillon said:
Lens hoods are only really of use in very bright conditions and wet conditions imho. They helpo stop lens flare and as has been said give better contrast (a cupped hand held just out of frame does the same thing however). In the rain they will reduce the amount of water actually on the lens (saving you wiping it all the time).

My issue with them is that they mean you can't use filters etc. at the same time. Also when reversed they get in the way of being able to manually focus.
Click to expand...

Most lens will let you use an filter,on the older screw in lens hoods,just screw into outer thread of the filter,if the lens hood is build in no problem,and the newer baynot type go over the lens.

:)
 
JCoquillon said:
My issue with them is that they mean you can't use filters etc. at the same time. Also when reversed they get in the way of being able to manually focus.
Click to expand...

Pentax have always had a very useful little idea with their hoods, normally you can't rotate a polariser with a hood on but Pentax lens hoods there is a little slide out section at the back end of the hood so that you can put your finger in to rotate it. Great idea, pity nobody else has ever latched onto the usefulness of it.
 
The purpose of a lens hood, together with a UV filter, is to create controversy on forums... ;)
 
Wow there was me thinking I was asking such a noob question, I was half expecting to be the but of a few jokes but quite a cracking thread this has turned out to be, thanks to all involved.

I must admit when i attached the hood for the first time i thought ' yes this looks the part ' but having no idea what the hell it did I had to get on and ask the question.
 
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