lens hood?

MitchStrp · Feb 2, 2013

my tamron 28-77mm 2.8 lens came in today and Im using it to shoot mainly MMA fights and ju jitsu tournaments which are typically low lighting. It came with a lens hood and ive always wondered, does anyone need to shoot with a lens hood inside in decent lighting? Whens the right/wrong times to use a lens hood?

chris · Feb 2, 2013

Pros: A lens hood may reduce flare and improve contrast and it can give some protection from impact and rain, spills etc.

Cons: Can't think of anything that would stop me using one in any situation.

Why would you not want to use it?

bratkinson · Feb 2, 2013

The primary purpose of a lens hood is to prevent unwanted light from entering the lens that would cause lens flare ('extra' lights and/or internal reflections within the lens itself). Indoors and outdoors, whereever there are multiple sources of light, especially lights off to the side that are not in the picture may cause lens flare. Under most of these situations, the lens hood 'does its job' and prevents these flares.

The lens makers go to great lengths in designing their lenses to prevent lens flare, including various coatings on the elements themselves. But even the best of lenses with hoods in place cannot prevent certain flare situations. About a month ago, I was taking pictures of a big band with nothing more than their individual music stand lights for illumination. Perhaps 5% of the pictures had lens flares caused by these small lights, shining at an angle into my lens. Fortunately, as I took pictures from many angles, I simply trashed the pictures with lens flares...except for one, that I managed to Photoshop the 'ghost' light out of the picture.

Another advantage of using the lens hood is protection from bumps, bangs, dings, and even some 'drop' protection. Having longer lenses and working indoors, I know I'm prone to bumping into everything from people to walls, tables, doors, etc with my lens while I'm moving around taking pictures. So my lens hoods have a number of dings and scratches in them. While $20 or more to replace a broken lens hood may sound like a lot, it's cheaper than replacing an entire lens or even the filter thread area on a lens. And a new hood is also less costly than replacing a front element from the damage done by a broken 'protection' filter.

ann · Feb 2, 2013

I use a hood all the time, inside, outside, doesn't make any difference. Others have already pointed out the whys

KmH · Feb 2, 2013

The only wrong time to use a hood is when the pop flash up or a hot show flash is used with a short enough focal length that the hood will cast a shadow in the photo.