Why would you NOT use a lens hood

[sean_buerger]

When shooting on-camera-flash with a wide angle lens a lens hood can cause shadows. This is one of the times where a lens hood is not a good idea.

In the magazines that I used to read in the 80s (e. g. Color Foto from Germany), they used to say, that a lens hood works only effectively if it is designed for the exact focal length. That would mean using one on a zoom, the lens hood would only be effective on its widest angle, when used on a camera with an image sensor size, the lens was designed for in the first place.

I currently don't use any zoom lens anymore. I do use lens hoods, when their built in and can be extended or turned around. On non-multi coated glass I use an old-fashioned rubber lens hood, designed for the exact focal length.

Just what I used to read. Info might be outdated.
Sean.

[jfrancho]

Check out the hood design on the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L, it is the only lens I know of that addresses that. Pretty neat, actually.

[yokolok]

it used to be that you had to purchase the lens hood separately...so everyone wanted one because they needed one...nowadays, every lens comes with its own specially designed lens hood...and now we ask if we need it or not...

i have always been one to think that these things are made by the manufacturer for a purpose that they have spent years upon years of research on...are we (at least most of us?) any smarter than them?

mine is hardly ever off when shooting...and when i need to take it off, it isn't that much of a hassle...

[jfrancho]

Only my 17-40 came with a lens hood. My 28, 35, 50, and 100mm lenses did not include a hood.

[yokolok]

Originally Posted by yokolok

it used to be that you had to purchase the lens hood separately...so everyone wanted one because they needed one...nowadays, every lens comes with its own specially designed lens hood...and now we ask if we need it or not...

i have always been one to think that these things are made by the manufacturer for a purpose that they have spent years upon years of research on...are we (at least most of us?) any smarter than them?

mine is hardly ever off when shooting...and when i need to take it off, it isn't that much of a hassle...

oops, after jfrancho's post, correction...i exaggerate...and correct my earlier statement...almost every lens comes with its own specially designed lens hood...

[cyclohexane]

Check out the hood design on the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L, it is the only lens I know of that addresses that

Nikon's 28-70mm f/2.8, 17-55mm f/2.8, and 24-70mm f/2.8 have a similar design too. Other than that, I can't think of very many zoom lenses that address the issue.

[DAVE PROUTY]

Let's face it! The biggest reason to use a lens hood is to have people come up to you and say" My, what a big lens you have!". It's all in the perception, people!

[Killjoy]

I was shooting some group photos at work this morning.
One of the people chastised me for not having a UV filter on my lens.
I told him that it was okay, I have the hood on. He told me that won't save my lens from water being sprayed on it, and a UV filter would. So I asked him "Why? Are you planning on spitting on my lens?"

He said he had a spare 77mm filter at home that I could have. I told him no thanks, and that I didn't want to have any degredation in my photos from cheap filters (not that you could tell).

He's a supervisor at work, and I'm a tech. I guess there goes my chances of a raise this year, huh?

[cyclohexane]

He told me that won't save my lens from water being sprayed on it, and a UV filter would

The front element of my 17-35 f/2.8 has been sneezed on, sprayed with water, and knocked into a chair. Lens is still working like a champ, and the front element shows no signs of damage.

Of course, if I had had a choice, none of that would have happened, but the front elements of our lenses are pretty tough....

I do keep a 77mm UV filter in my bag for rainy days and such, but I don't worry too much if I have to take a few shots without it. Really though, if my lens is getting water sprayed on it, I should be worrying about the entire thing, not just the front.

[Killjoy]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Really though, if my lens is getting water sprayed on it, I should be worrying about the entire thing, not just the front.

Precisely. And I had that happen last June.

Imagine if you will, I'm sitting out on the lake, in my new boat. I'm taking photos of my family on our new toy, with my 20D. I have my camera bag open, and all my lenses, flashes, and other gadgets open to the elements.
This jack@ss come flying up on a jetski, and puts a wall of water into my boat soaking me, my family, my camera, lenses, etc. etc. etc.
By the time I realised that he was not slowing down, I turned around and covered my camera, but it was so much water....... It was like a Tsunami (okay, maybe a mini one).

[40Duser]

i use mine makes me look like a pro lol. well trying to get the flash away in some of my pics

[Imagesgranted]

My L lenses have all come with the hoods. 24-105 L , 135mmL, 16-35L, 70-200 2.8 L & 400mm L lens, hoods & bags with them all.