[dneira29]

Just wondering what do you guys prefer to use your lens hood or forgo it and why? For me it depends on the lens but sometimes for space I leave it behind.

[aaacb]

I always use a hood if it's built in (retractable, or like some limited lenses). I never use separate hoods because I just don't have room in the bag and they're too fiddly. If flare is an issue, I shield the lens with my hand. The exception is in rain/snow where the hood keeps the front element cleaner.

[Buntzbooze]

I use a hood on all my lenses, as much for protection from the rain as glare from the sun! I tend to leave the lens cap off until the camera goes back in the bag, so the hood is added protection from knocks too.
On some lenses, such as the manual A50mm 1.7 and A135 2.8 there is a noticeable difference in contrast and colour when using a hood.

[JohnX]

Hood, always.

[Mooncatt]

I always hood if I have one for the lens. When in storage, it's either flipped around and left on the lens, or retracted. I use it not only for unwanted glare as I move about, but protection, and aesthetics. Lenses just look naked without one to me.

[AgentL]

Some lenses I use a hood with, I've noticed those are usually the ones with the smallest hoods. I rarely consider them absolutely essential, but they're nice to have when it's raining. Plus, some just look cool.

[Mbaez]

If I have the hood I always use it, mainly for protection and glare.

[5ks]

I use a hood whenever possible. Sometimes it surely helps, while sometimes it may not have any significant impact on the photo - but hardly ever anything negative. (Well, with some lenses maybe some vignetting, depending on the design of the hood).

[Mbaez]

I use a hood whenever possible. Sometimes it surely helps, while sometimes it may not have any significant impact on the photo - but hardly ever anything negative. (Well, with some lenses maybe some vignetting, depending on the design of the hood).

Exactly, there's no negative impact in image quality.

[Dartmoor Dave]

Always a hood. Always. But I hate the modern plastic petal-type hoods so I use proper old-fashioned metal ones. It means that you don't need a cap on the lens while it's in the bag, and a solid metal hood gives you more protection than any UV filter ever will, with no optical degradation from any extra bits of glass in front of the lens. A plastic petal hood might give you a fraction more flare reduction, but you'll look like a. . . (expletive deleted).

[pepperberry farm]

hood - always...

[ChristianRock]

I use a hood when I can or when it's not too cumbersome. With my Sigma 30 1.4 Art, the hood is so big, I end up only using it in about 1 out of 10 outings.

I usually notice a bit of extra contrast when I use a hood, regardless of the lens.

[disconnekt]

I always have a hood on all my lenses, partially due for protection from flare and in case I bump into something.

[Bertrand3000]

Hood always, if available, as flare protection, physical protection and improved contrast.

[kypfer]

Hood always … there's even been occasion when, having received a recent lens purchase and I didn't have a suitable hood, I've not taken the lens out 'till a hood was acquired! I've got too many plastic hoods with scratches on the extremities … they always remind me that it might have been the front element or the filter thread! Rubber hoods don't show the knocks, but they protect as well or better!