Lens hood on Nikon 18-140mm (Page 2): For the purposes of protection and flare - keep the hood on the lens 24/7 and cap it with an elastic "hoodie"

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imageal wrote:

I just bought a refurb Nikon 18-140mm lens. It did not come with a lens hood. Nikon recommends its bayonet HB-32 hood. Adorama sells them for $12.95 plus shipping. The question is of the many UHH users of this lens out there, how often do you shoot with the lens hood in place and do you think it is really needed? Much of my shooting will be with a circular polarizer mounted on the lens.

For the purposes of protection and flare - keep the hood on the lens 24/7 and cap it with an elastic "hoodie" - only remove when using on camera flash.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Not sure about this lens and lens hood. I use the Tamron lens hood on my Tamron 16-300 lens on my Nikon D7100. I do this partly for protection and partly for general principles--meaning I'm not sure about lens flare. I also have a UV filter also for protection. With the filter lens on and the lens hood I do get darkening of the corners at 16mm and close. I don't know if that would be a problem for you at 18mm or not. It's not a problem if I don't use the filter. But I do like the added protection the hood gives--specially since I keep the camera in a tank bag of a motorcycle a lot of the time and can't always predict what else will be in there and moving around or what forces may be put on the bag.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I have the same lens, I looked up reviews on it and Ken
Rockwell praised for it sharpness, which I agree with, he
stated that he wouldn't even bother with a lens hood, not
worth the trouble.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

ebbote wrote:

I have the same lens, I looked up reviews on it and Ken
Rockwell praised for it sharpness, which I agree with, he
stated that he wouldn't even bother with a lens hood, not
worth the trouble.

Sadly, this is one of the areas where KR is way off base !

- there are a couple other areas also - but I still respect his experience and knowledge for most things .....

imageal Loc: Ocala, FL

Thank you for that illustration. I always had wondered about the significance of the petal shape. I'm convinced of the need. I'll get one ordered.
Al

Teacher Loc: Alabama

I use a hood on most of my lenses. However, I don't use a hood when I'm using a CPL. My fingers just can't make the squeeze.

imageal wrote:

I just bought a refurb Nikon 18-140mm lens. It did not come with a lens hood. Nikon recommends its bayonet HB-32 hood. Adorama sells them for $12.95 plus shipping. The question is of the many UHH users of this lens out there, how often do you shoot with the lens hood in place and do you think it is really needed? Much of my shooting will be with a circular polarizer mounted on the lens.

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

I always use a lens hood. In addition to minimizing flare, it protects your front element against knocks and bumps and if you ever drop your camera the cost of a broken lens hood is much cheaper than the cost of a lens. I only invert the hood for storage.

A UV filter and a lens hood gives me as much protection as I need and I never have to bother with those pesky pain-in-the-ass lens caps!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

A lens hood for a wide-telephoto lens must be optimized for the wide end, which is why they have the petal style hood. They will become increasingly less effective at preventing flare as you zoom in, and they don't offer as much lens protection as a standard telephoto lens hood. That said, I always use them, since they do offer some protection for both. And I assume people who said not to use them with a flash are talking about a built in flash. I think even a regular flash on a hot shoe would be high enough not to cast a shadow from the hood.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

imageal wrote:

I just bought a refurb Nikon 18-140mm lens. It did not come with a lens hood. Nikon recommends its bayonet HB-32 hood. Adorama sells them for $12.95 plus shipping. The question is of the many UHH users of this lens out there, how often do you shoot with the lens hood in place and do you think it is really needed? Much of my shooting will be with a circular polarizer mounted on the lens.

99% of the time I have a lens hood in place. The only time I don't use one is when I am doing macro photographs and the lens hood prevents the lens from getting close enough to the subject.

Also, I don't use one with certain lenses and on camera flash and when the subject is quite close.
--Bob

Jim Bob

imagemeister wrote:

Sadly, this is one of the areas where KR is way off base !

- there are a couple other areas also - but I still respect his experience and knowledge for most things .....

I agree with him unless your lens is especially subject to flare like many Tokina lenses. The man takes some absolutely arresting images and is generally very knowledgeable. However, like you, I do find that he occasionally shovels some bull.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

imageal wrote:

I just bought a refurb Nikon 18-140mm lens. It did not come with a lens hood. Nikon recommends its bayonet HB-32 hood. Adorama sells them for $12.95 plus shipping. The question is of the many UHH users of this lens out there, how often do you shoot with the lens hood in place and do you think it is really needed? Much of my shooting will be with a circular polarizer mounted on the lens.

I have that lens...great lens!
The other day one of the Hogs provided a link to an article about sharpening pictures. The author stated that a lens hood could help to sharpen your pictures. I don't understand how, but I'll try anything that might lead to a sharper image.

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

All of the time. Get a screw in shad that way you can use your PL filter.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

imageal wrote:

I just bought a refurb Nikon 18-140mm lens. It did not come with a lens hood. Nikon recommends its bayonet HB-32 hood. Adorama sells them for $12.95 plus shipping. The question is of the many UHH users of this lens out there, how often do you shoot with the lens hood in place and do you think it is really needed? Much of my shooting will be with a circular polarizer mounted on the lens.

Yes, I believe that you absolutely need a lens hood, but not the HB-32 if you are going to use a CPL.

The Nikon hoods are great generally but getting to the rotatable outer ring will be next to impossible with one attached. All you need is an inexpensive collapsable rubber hood that will screw directly onto that ring - turn the hood to adjust the filter! Lens cap still works.