[45 Mike]

Long ago I bought a used tele zoom that had a metal hood that slid back and forth, and I found it annoying, and wished I could remove it. Never used a hood.
I have several laying around that I took off, set aside and never looked back.
I think they are annoying to carry, to use and to store.

I also think they look rather dorky as well.

[Na Horuk]

I think they are annoying to carry, to use and to store.

Sure, but they can significantly improve the contrast, decrease flaring and ghosting.. Its a good idea, especially with cheaper or old lenses, that don't have very modern lens coatings.
And they offer protection of the lens - better something bumps into the hood than the lens itself! A new hood costs far less

[stevebrot]

what does it cost to produce a plastic lens hood, $1.00?

It is not what it costs, it is what you can sell it for as an accessory, post sale. The bundled kit lenses are a loss-leader and are purposefully hobbled in terms of features and accessories to reflect that fact. Heck, the K-3 is currently bundled with the DA L 18-55 WR at B&H at no additional cost beyond the body only price.

I just helped a friend with her dSLR purchase. We found a K-50 two lens kit killer deal at Costco that featured DA L 18-55 WR and DA L 50-200 WR kit lenses along with a flash card and bag for $699. The 50-200, card and bag were basically free. I sprung for the two hoods (Pentax brand at less than $50 for the pair including shipping) and considered it a good deal. My only complaint was the sorry excuse for a rear cap that came with the two lenses. Both fell off immediately after the lenses were removed from their packaging.


Steve

---------- Post added 02-11-14 at 05:36 PM ----------

I think they are annoying to carry, to use and to store.

Storage/carriage is easy. The hoods for the kit lenses reverse over the lens snout. As for the annoyance of use, I really like the difference in results that the hood delivers. In fact, I have several lenses that I never use without a hood, even indoors. The only real inconvenience I am aware of is the shadow cast by the hoods of shorter lenses when using flash. That requires removing the hood and putting it in the bag or jacket pocket.


Steve

[ausmoose]

My 18-135 DA came with my K-30 with a hood. I lost the little pop out bit, though, and it would cost be $50+ for a new hood, so that is not on the list of things to do! Just glad I didn't have to buy a hood from the beginning - those things are ridiculously priced.

[sterretje]

My 18-135 DA came with my K-30 with a hood.

That's not a kit lens

[monochrome]

Right now the Q7 / 02 kits come without an 02 hood, just as the Q and Q10 kits didn't.

Problem is, where does one find the new petal-shaped 02 hood made for the Q7 at any price??? The original hood vignettes, so the $39 OEM hood (or $13 generic) is rendered obsolete if I already have an 02 and just get a Q7 body.

[northcoastgreg]

I've seen more kit lenses used with their hoods reversed than properly mounted.

I see the same thing with professional Canon and Nikon glass. A surprising number of serious photographers don't bother to reverse their hoods. Maybe it's because those Canon and Nikon hoods interfere with filter usage...?

[mrNewt]

I see the same thing with professional Canon and Nikon glass. A surprising number of serious photographers don't bother to reverse their hoods. Maybe it's because those Canon and Nikon hoods interfere with filter usage...?

On canikon, the hoods function better the other way around...

[ausmoose]

That's not a kit lens

Oh, but they were bundled together

[stevebrot]

Oh, but they were bundled together

In addition, it is not a DA L. The regular DA series lenses all come with hoods.


Steve

[tibbitts]

It doesn't bother me either way, as long as a hood is:

1. readily available at a reasonable price;

2. mounts with a bayonet or some other dedicated means that doesn't use filter threads.

[rrstuff]

Mine 18-55mm WR came with hood...

[Genobreaker]

So kit lens (DA L) and some of the cheaper lens don't come with a hood? (My kit lens 18-55mm DA L and 35mm f2.8 didn't come with one)

[rbefly]

So kit lens (DA L) and some of the cheaper lens don't come with a hood?

Correct. That's the general trend and it's not just Pentax, either. On post # 9 I listed a few Canon and Nikon lenses, kit and superzoom, that don't include hoods.
They're cutting costs on the budget items, making a few bucks selling the optional items later, and providing a clear path for an upgrade.
Business as usual.
Ron

[stevebrot]

and some of the cheaper lens don't come with a hood?

All DA L...


Steve