Hoods

harpee · 03-23-2010, 06:09 PM

What are their use in general?

snostorm · 03-23-2010, 06:29 PM

Hi harpee,

Hoods shield the lens from stray light. This can reduce or eliminate flare and increase overall contrast in the image. I also use them to protect the front element of the lens from damage. A final function of some of the petal shaped hoods is that they look cool (to me at least). . .

I always use one if I can.

Scott

**Ash** · 03-23-2010, 06:52 PM

They are invaluable in night photography also to prevent ambient street light from causing hot sopts in your long exposures.

Itai · 03-23-2010, 08:47 PM

Just note that with zoom lenses, the hood is mostly valuable at the widest position of the lens.

- Itai
Neovoyage | Explore, Experience, Expand your horizons | Travel Photography Tours

icywarm · 03-23-2010, 08:50 PM

see the light 'raining' down the lens... could be prevented with hood... also they can improve colours in regular photograph, just take samples at the kitchen table, with or without the hood.

BUT there is a dark side... they can cause shadows on the image... particularly with a flash...!!!

harpee · 03-24-2010, 12:43 AM

Thanks guys.

JeffJS · 03-24-2010, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by icywarm

see the light 'raining' down the lens... could be prevented with hood... also they can improve colours in regular photograph, just take samples at the kitchen table, with or without the hood.

BUT there is a dark side... they can cause shadows on the image... particularly with a flash...!!!

That of course depends on where the strong light is coming from with respect to the lens..

reeftool · 03-24-2010, 09:41 AM

I would say that most of us use the hood all the time. The one exception is that sometimes the hood can cause a shadow on some flash pictures, especially the kit lens with the petal hood and built in flash. I mention this because I don't often use the flash, leave the hood on always and take a snapshot of a cool bike at night and this happens:

Oddity96 · 03-24-2010, 09:42 AM

what is a good style to get? Amazon.com: camera lens hood pentax: Electronics i am heading to Disneyland in two weeks and want to get some great shots. the first time my kids have been.

The Kurly One · 03-24-2010, 12:24 PM

If you are going to Disney, start practicing now!!! Lol, I had 6 weeks to prepare for our cruise and it wasn't enough. Out of the 2000 pics or so that I took, only a fraction were printable. I took plenty of OK shots but not many that were stellar.

**yucatanPentax** · 03-24-2010, 12:28 PM

Which hood to get?

The style, type depends on the lens you are going to use. The hood must be matched to the lens.

As mentioned, with zoom lenses, the supplied factory hoods are mostly useful at the wide end. If you had a separate tele hood to add when shooting only at the long end of a zoom that would help more.

Hoods come in versions for the focal length - wide, normal, telephoto. So match them up for the best pics.

Ira · 03-24-2010, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by Oddity96

what is a good style to get? Amazon.com: camera lens hood pentax: Electronics i am heading to Disneyland in two weeks and want to get some great shots. the first time my kids have been.

Bring money.

Ira · 03-24-2010, 12:40 PM

As for hood style, I prefer the collapsible rubber ones:

They're cheap, don't take up any room in your bag when collapsed, and when you bang the end of your lens against something, you don't hear a clunk.

Oddity96 · 03-24-2010, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by The Kurly One

If you are going to Disney, start practicing now!!! Lol, I had 6 weeks to prepare for our cruise and it wasn't enough. Out of the 2000 pics or so that I took, only a fraction were printable. I took plenty of OK shots but not many that were stellar.

yes i know i am trying my best lol. i will be taking three cameras two i am use to so i will get some decent shots.

Originally posted by yucatanPentax

Which hood to get?

The style, type depends on the lens you are going to use. The hood must be matched to the lens.

As mentioned, with zoom lenses, the supplied factory hoods are mostly useful at the wide end. If you had a separate tele hood to add when shooting only at the long end of a zoom that would help more.

Hoods come in versions for the focal length - wide, normal, telephoto. So match them up for the best pics.

the only lens i have at the moment is the one the camera came with which is the 18/55. this should do fine with a hood? when i buy my other lens a 70/300 i need to get one for the 300?

Ira · 03-24-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by Oddity96

yes i know i am trying my best lol. i will be taking three cameras two i am use to so i will get some decent shots.

the only lens i have at the moment is the one the camera came with which is the 18/55. this should do fine with a hood? when i buy my other lens a 70/300 i need to get one for the 300?

Look at the filter diameter on the lens--not the focal length--or look at your lens cap, which will give you the size. 49mm, 52mm, etc. (I don't remember the size for the 18-55, but I'll guess 49.)

then just go to Wal-Mart, Walgreens, wherever, and buy something cheap for now. It's not really worth the effort or money obsessing over a hood. They all pretty much do the same thing.

03-23-2010, 06:09 PM	#1
harpee Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: BRUSSELS Posts: 27	Hoods What are their use in general?

03-24-2010, 09:41 AM	#8
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I would say that most of us use the hood all the time. The one exception is that sometimes the hood can cause a shadow on some flash pictures, especially the kit lens with the petal hood and built in flash. I mention this because I don't often use the flash, leave the hood on always and take a snapshot of a cool bike at night and this happens: Last edited by reeftool; 07-20-2010 at 08:35 AM.

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03-23-2010, 06:29 PM	#2
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Hi harpee, Hoods shield the lens from stray light. This can reduce or eliminate flare and increase overall contrast in the image. I also use them to protect the front element of the lens from damage. A final function of some of the petal shaped hoods is that they look cool (to me at least). . . I always use one if I can. Scott

03-23-2010, 06:52 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	They are invaluable in night photography also to prevent ambient street light from causing hot sopts in your long exposures.

03-23-2010, 08:47 PM	#4
Itai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 209	Just note that with zoom lenses, the hood is mostly valuable at the widest position of the lens. - Itai Neovoyage \| Explore, Experience, Expand your horizons \| Travel Photography Tours

03-23-2010, 08:50 PM	#5
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278	see the light 'raining' down the lens... could be prevented with hood... also they can improve colours in regular photograph, just take samples at the kitchen table, with or without the hood. BUT there is a dark side... they can cause shadows on the image... particularly with a flash...!!!

03-24-2010, 12:43 AM	#6
harpee Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: BRUSSELS Posts: 27 Original Poster	Thanks guys.

03-24-2010, 09:34 AM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by icywarm see the light 'raining' down the lens... could be prevented with hood... also they can improve colours in regular photograph, just take samples at the kitchen table, with or without the hood. BUT there is a dark side... they can cause shadows on the image... particularly with a flash...!!! That of course depends on where the strong light is coming from with respect to the lens..

03-24-2010, 09:42 AM	#9
Oddity96 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 81	what is a good style to get? Amazon.com: camera lens hood pentax: Electronics i am heading to Disneyland in two weeks and want to get some great shots. the first time my kids have been.

03-24-2010, 12:24 PM	#10
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233	If you are going to Disney, start practicing now!!! Lol, I had 6 weeks to prepare for our cruise and it wasn't enough. Out of the 2000 pics or so that I took, only a fraction were printable. I took plenty of OK shots but not many that were stellar.

03-24-2010, 12:28 PM	#11
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,840	Which hood to get? The style, type depends on the lens you are going to use. The hood must be matched to the lens. As mentioned, with zoom lenses, the supplied factory hoods are mostly useful at the wide end. If you had a separate tele hood to add when shooting only at the long end of a zoom that would help more. Hoods come in versions for the focal length - wide, normal, telephoto. So match them up for the best pics.

03-24-2010, 12:38 PM	#12
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by Oddity96 what is a good style to get? Amazon.com: camera lens hood pentax: Electronics i am heading to Disneyland in two weeks and want to get some great shots. the first time my kids have been. Bring money.

03-24-2010, 12:40 PM	#13
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	As for hood style, I prefer the collapsible rubber ones: They're cheap, don't take up any room in your bag when collapsed, and when you bang the end of your lens against something, you don't hear a clunk.

03-24-2010, 12:43 PM	#14
Oddity96 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 81	Originally posted by The Kurly One If you are going to Disney, start practicing now!!! Lol, I had 6 weeks to prepare for our cruise and it wasn't enough. Out of the 2000 pics or so that I took, only a fraction were printable. I took plenty of OK shots but not many that were stellar. yes i know i am trying my best lol. i will be taking three cameras two i am use to so i will get some decent shots. Originally posted by yucatanPentax Which hood to get? The style, type depends on the lens you are going to use. The hood must be matched to the lens. As mentioned, with zoom lenses, the supplied factory hoods are mostly useful at the wide end. If you had a separate tele hood to add when shooting only at the long end of a zoom that would help more. Hoods come in versions for the focal length - wide, normal, telephoto. So match them up for the best pics. the only lens i have at the moment is the one the camera came with which is the 18/55. this should do fine with a hood? when i buy my other lens a 70/300 i need to get one for the 300?

03-24-2010, 01:50 PM	#15
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by Oddity96 yes i know i am trying my best lol. i will be taking three cameras two i am use to so i will get some decent shots. the only lens i have at the moment is the one the camera came with which is the 18/55. this should do fine with a hood? when i buy my other lens a 70/300 i need to get one for the 300? Look at the filter diameter on the lens--not the focal length--or look at your lens cap, which will give you the size. 49mm, 52mm, etc. (I don't remember the size for the 18-55, but I'll guess 49.) then just go to Wal-Mart, Walgreens, wherever, and buy something cheap for now. It's not really worth the effort or money obsessing over a hood. They all pretty much do the same thing.