Polarizer vs. Hood [pool]

jms698 · 05-01-2008, 02:16 AM

When shooting in bright light with a long lens, which would you prefer to have on a long lens: a polarizer or a lens hood? The DA* lenses have a little door in their hoods that allows a filter to be adjusted easily, so that makes it easy to use both. But assuming the lens hood doesn't have this feature and is really deep, making it difficult to reach in and adjust a polarizer, which do you view as more important? The hood to improve contrast, or the polarizer to cut down glair?

Nesster · 05-01-2008, 03:22 AM

I would vote: both equally essential but I don't usually use either... so I voted for lens hood as the more important bit (and I do use these of late)

aegisphan · 05-01-2008, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by jms698

The hood to improve contrast, or the polarizer to cut down glair?

I think it should be the other way around. Nonetheless, I usually but the hood on backward (storage mode), adjust the polarizer to get what I want. Then I just simply reverse the hood if need to. If you have those generic screw-in hoods, it's even more convenient.

racinsince55 · 05-01-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by jms698

When shooting in bright light with a long lens, which would you prefer to have on a long lens: a polarizer or a lens hood? The DA* lenses have a little door in their hoods that allows a filter to be adjusted easily, so that makes it easy to use both. But assuming the lens hood doesn't have this feature and is really deep, making it difficult to reach in and adjust a polarizer, which do you view as more important? The hood to improve contrast, or the polarizer to cut down glair?

Both has my vote.

I always use the hood and use my Polarizer when I'm outside just about all of the time.

ericc · 05-01-2008, 01:10 PM

Since they do different things with the light, I use each as is appropriate.

thePiRaTE!! · 05-05-2008, 07:43 AM

I found it very interesting that so many said hood. I personally think they both have an intrinsically essential function, but that the filter does something that you couldn't just do with your hand in a pinch.

Shooting snowy mountains or a beach scape for example, a good c-pol can prevent white blow-outs from light reflecting off the surface while retaining a decent all-round exposure - a lens hood... not so much.

Kelly.

Miserere · 05-05-2008, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by thePiRaTE!!

I found it very interesting that so many said hood. I personally think they both have an intrinsically essential function, but that the filter does something that you couldn't just do with your hand in a pinch.

Shooting snowy mountains or a beach scape for example, a good c-pol can prevent white blow-outs from light reflecting off the surface while retaining a decent all-round exposure - a lens hood... not so much.

Kelly.

Exactly! I voted for "both" because they perform different functions. However, I rarely use a hood because I always have my hands with me, yet the polarizer is never left at home; it lives in my bag. When you need a polarizer, a hood isn't going to do a thing for you.

Last edited by Miserere; 05-05-2008 at 09:23 AM.

View Poll Results: Which is more important to have?
Polarizer	9	11.69%
Lens hood	38	49.35%
Both equally essential	27	35.06%
Don't use either	3	3.90%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll

05-01-2008, 02:16 AM	#1
jms698 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 133	Polarizer vs. Hood [pool] When shooting in bright light with a long lens, which would you prefer to have on a long lens: a polarizer or a lens hood? The DA* lenses have a little door in their hoods that allows a filter to be adjusted easily, so that makes it easy to use both. But assuming the lens hood doesn't have this feature and is really deep, making it difficult to reach in and adjust a polarizer, which do you view as more important? The hood to improve contrast, or the polarizer to cut down glair?

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05-01-2008, 03:22 AM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I would vote: both equally essential but I don't usually use either... so I voted for lens hood as the more important bit (and I do use these of late)

05-01-2008, 08:02 AM	#3
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	Originally posted by jms698 The hood to improve contrast, or the polarizer to cut down glair? I think it should be the other way around. Nonetheless, I usually but the hood on backward (storage mode), adjust the polarizer to get what I want. Then I just simply reverse the hood if need to. If you have those generic screw-in hoods, it's even more convenient.

05-01-2008, 09:59 AM	#4
racinsince55 Guest	Originally posted by jms698 When shooting in bright light with a long lens, which would you prefer to have on a long lens: a polarizer or a lens hood? The DA* lenses have a little door in their hoods that allows a filter to be adjusted easily, so that makes it easy to use both. But assuming the lens hood doesn't have this feature and is really deep, making it difficult to reach in and adjust a polarizer, which do you view as more important? The hood to improve contrast, or the polarizer to cut down glair? Both has my vote. I always use the hood and use my Polarizer when I'm outside just about all of the time.

05-01-2008, 01:10 PM	#5
ericc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Western Oklahoma Posts: 412	Since they do different things with the light, I use each as is appropriate.

05-05-2008, 07:43 AM	#6
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	I found it very interesting that so many said hood. I personally think they both have an intrinsically essential function, but that the filter does something that you couldn't just do with your hand in a pinch. Shooting snowy mountains or a beach scape for example, a good c-pol can prevent white blow-outs from light reflecting off the surface while retaining a decent all-round exposure - a lens hood... not so much. Kelly.

05-05-2008, 08:14 AM	#7
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by thePiRaTE!! I found it very interesting that so many said hood. I personally think they both have an intrinsically essential function, but that the filter does something that you couldn't just do with your hand in a pinch. Shooting snowy mountains or a beach scape for example, a good c-pol can prevent white blow-outs from light reflecting off the surface while retaining a decent all-round exposure - a lens hood... not so much. Kelly. Exactly! I voted for "both" because they perform different functions. However, I rarely use a hood because I always have my hands with me, yet the polarizer is never left at home; it lives in my bag. When you need a polarizer, a hood isn't going to do a thing for you. Last edited by Miserere; 05-05-2008 at 09:23 AM.