lens hood???

[Oavatos]

ok, i just bought the D70 kit and with the lens that came with it was I think what is called a lens hood...???what is this and why do u put it on the lens.....now that ive gotten one myself i see them all the time on lenses on the tv when im watching say E! or the local or national news and see the press or paparazzi.....

 

[Hertz van Rental]

Read the FAQ sticky section on Lens Flare.

 

[Christie Photo]

Lens hood = lens shade. It's meant to shade the front of your lens, preventing or reducing flare.

As a kid, I always put the hood on... I thought it made my camera look better.

 

[lazarus219]

i ALWAYS use mine (on my S5500) except for close up flash photography for the ismple reason that it makes the camera look so much better, and because i do need the hood on sometimes, but mainly because it makes the camera look better ()the zoom looks terrible with the camera on)

 

[ksmattfish]

Besides dealing with lens flare (which is important enough that I always use a lens hood), the lens hood can offer some protection to the end of the lens, and it'll keep some snow and rain off the glass.

 

[Rob]

Good points have been made above - one thing to add: they are especially great for rock concerts and night photography when lighting is low and you're relying on an accurate meter reading with no ambient leakage.