Lens Hoods: I have a Leica V-Lux 4 (fixed telephoto lens) that I bought used, and it has a rather large Lens Hood. My questions are: 1) Under what conditions "must" a Lens Hood be...

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

I have a Leica V-Lux 4 (fixed telephoto lens) that I bought used, and it has a rather large Lens Hood.

My questions are:

1) Under what conditions "must" a Lens Hood be used?

2) Under what conditions is a Lens Hood "unnecessary", if ever?

3) Does anyone have additional comments on the use of Lens Hoods?

Thanks,

Tom G

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Tom G wrote:

I have a Leica V-Lux 4 (fixed telephoto lens) that I bought used, and it has a rather large Lens Hood.

My questions are:

1) Under what conditions "must" a Lens Hood be used?

2) Under what conditions is a Lens Hood "unnecessary", if ever?

3) Does anyone have additional comments on the use of Lens Hoods?

Thanks,

Tom G

Lens hoods serve as bumpers and protect lens against damage from some things and in some circumstance prevent flare. There are no "Must Use" conditions that I am aware of; strictly personal choice.

Although it is the prudent choice in my opinion.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

Tom G wrote:

I have a Leica V-Lux 4 (fixed telephoto lens) that I bought used, and it has a rather large Lens Hood.

My questions are:

1) Under what conditions "must" a Lens Hood be used?

2) Under what conditions is a Lens Hood "unnecessary", if ever?

3) Does anyone have additional comments on the use of Lens Hoods?

Thanks,

Tom G

I especially use the lens hoods if the sun is at the side. They help prevent lens flare from the sun. I don't depend on them for lens protection though. But they serve their purpose. When not in use, just place on backwards and always have as needed.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

roxiemarty wrote:

I especially use the lens hoods if the sun is at the side. They help prevent lens flare from the sun. I don't depend on them for lens protection though. But they serve their purpose. When not in use, just place on backwards and always have as needed.

Right, good for protection from the sun coming in at an angle. Can also help protect the lens.

Bill_de Loc: US

Typically not needed if your light source is behind you.

They can protect against blowing sand, rain, snow. If walking through the woods, they protect against all sorts of stuff from touching the front glass.

With long lenses I often stand my camera on the ground, lens pointing down. I would never do that without a shade.

Storing them reversed on the lens while shooting doesn't work for me because they can block focus or zoom rings. So I use them all the time.

I see no downside to using them. If I bought a used lens that didn't have one I would probably replace it, depending on the price. The lens shade for the Nikon 800mm is $1,000. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918854-REG/nikon_4985_hk_38_lens_hood_for.html

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mas24 Loc: Southern CA

A $1000 lens hood for a Nikon 800mm prime, that has to be special ordered by B&H. Now that's a lens hood that is half the price of a D500 camera body.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

mas24 wrote:

A $1000 lens hood for a Nikon 800mm prime, that has to be special ordered by B&H. Now that's a lens hood that is half the price of a D500 camera body.

I wonder how many of them they sell in a year. It would be nice if that piece of plastic was included with the $16,000 lens.

Bill_de Loc: US

jerryc41 wrote:

I wonder how many of them they sell in a year. It would be nice if that piece of plastic was included with the $16,000 lens.

It is included. But if you don't fasten it properly while shooting from an open cockpit plane, or some such thing ...

Now that you know it is included you see what a bargain $16,000 really is.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bill_de wrote:

It is included. But if you don't fasten it properly while shooting from an open cockpit plane, or some such thing ...

Now that you know it is included you see what a bargain $16,000 really is.

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Thanks. Since I know I won't have to pay extra for the hood, maybe I'll buy that lens. Or, maybe not.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

"Must" be used? Never must.
Lens hoods help protect the lens from damage if bumped against something hard.
The main purpose of a lens hood is to shade the lens glass from direct sunlight that causes flair.
Use your discretion.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Mac wrote:

"Must" be used? Never must.
Lens hoods help protect the lens from damage if bumped against something hard.
The main purpose of a lens hood is to shade the lens glass from direct sunlight that causes flair.
Use your discretion.

Or stray light from a street light, at night.
Marion

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Marionsho wrote:

Or stray light from a street light, at night.
Marion

True

I should have said any light.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Mac wrote:

True

I should have said any light.

I was shotting pix.s at night, in downtown Tulsa, without a lens hood and learned my lesson when the image had a large round 'lighter' area. I asked my photo teacher about it and he said it was lens flair.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

The only time I take lens hoods off my lenses is to clean the front element or if necessary to fit lens in backpack.
In my opinion, there is never a time not to use a lens hood. If it is technically not needed, it is not doing any harm so why not just leave it on.
An as some have said, it might save your lens if dropped.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

Some lens hoods interfere when you use an on camera flash and will give you a dark section in the photo.