Lens hoods: I have read that plastic hoods offer better protection than rubber or metal hoods. True? It seems that plastic hoods are slip-on vice screw-on. My tele lens uses 62mm...

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

I have read that plastic hoods offer better protection than rubber or metal hoods. True?

It seems that plastic hoods are slip-on vice screw-on. My tele lens uses 62mm filters. If I order a 62mm plastic hood, I assume that it will be large enough to slip-on a 62mm lens barrel -- that is, I assume that a hood which is advertised as 62mm is actually a bit larger than 62mm. Correct?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

bellgamin wrote:

I have read that plastic hoods offer better protection than rubber or metal hoods. True?

It seems that plastic hoods are slip-on vice screw-on. My tele lens uses 62mm filters. If I order a 62mm plastic hood, I assume that it will be large enough to slip-on a 62mm lens barrel -- that is, I assume that a hood which is advertised as 62mm is actually a bit larger than 62mm. Correct?

The purpose of a hood is to prevent lens flare - metal, plastic, or paper will serve as well.
If you order a 62mm hood, it will screw into your lens. A slip-on or bayonet hood will be specific for your lens.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

RWR wrote:

The purpose of a hood is to prevent lens flare - metal, plastic, or paper will serve as well.
If you order a 62mm hood, it will screw into your lens. A slip-on or bayonet hood will be specific for your lens.

True, except that on walks through the woods I’ve had a lens hood save an expensive filter and/ or front lens element.

repleo Loc: Boston

bellgamin wrote:

I have read that plastic hoods offer better protection than rubber or metal hoods. True?

It seems that plastic hoods are slip-on vice screw-on. My tele lens uses 62mm filters. If I order a 62mm plastic hood, I assume that it will be large enough to slip-on a 62mm lens barrel -- that is, I assume that a hood which is advertised as 62mm is actually a bit larger than 62mm. Correct?

In my experience the plastic lens hoods have bayonet fittings. As RWR mentioned they are specific to your lens. I have only used one rubber lens hood - generic collapsible. It was a screw mount same as a filter.
I question the 'protection' of a lens hood. I think a lot depends on the way it lands. More a matter of luck than material. Of course if you have a basket of lenses that you would like to test, I'm sure we would love to hear the results.

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

repleo wrote:

... ... ...I question the 'protection' of a lens hood... ... ...

I wear my camera hanging from my neck in front of me. I am a clumsy fellow, plus -- when I am on the hunt for good shots -- I usually am looking everywhere except where I am going. Ergo, I am quite likely to walk into something, with my camera being the first point of contact. I would rather that the contact would hit my hood and not my lens. Aloha!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

bellgamin wrote:

I wear my camera hanging from my neck in front of me. I am a clumsy fellow, plus -- when I am on the hunt for good shots -- I usually am looking everywhere except where I am going. Ergo, I am quite likely to walk into something, with my camera being the first point of contact. I would rather that the contact would hit my hood and not my lens. Aloha!

Maybe try a padded sleeve, like an open-top lens case, that you can quickly slip off to take the shot.

Jesu S

bellgamin wrote:

I have read that plastic hoods offer better protection than rubber or metal hoods. True?

It seems that plastic hoods are slip-on vice screw-on. My tele lens uses 62mm filters. If I order a 62mm plastic hood, I assume that it will be large enough to slip-on a 62mm lens barrel -- that is, I assume that a hood which is advertised as 62mm is actually a bit larger than 62mm. Correct?

Most of my lenses came with the hood. I have noticed, however, that my longer focal length lenses (24-70mm and 70-200mm f/2.8) seem to come with tulip hoods, whereas my 50mm f/1.2 has the round hood. Looks like your tele lens may need a tulip shaped hood, and I have not seen many of them in rubber or metal.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I think the tulip hoops are far less useful.

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

I have found a hood quite useful in keeping lense front or filter clean and safe from damage without lense cap on. But added length can also an issue.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

The lens hood is made to serve one purpose - help prevent lens flare. It is not there to cushion a fall; absorb the shock of bumping into things; or anything else ... IF it happens to do one of those things, it's an extra and consider yourself a very lucky person.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Howard5252 wrote:

The lens hood is made to serve one purpose - help prevent lens flare. It is not there to cushion a fall; absorb the shock of bumping into things; or anything else ... IF it happens to do one of those things, it's an extra and consider yourself a very lucky person.

They do much more including keeping the front element/filter free, relatively anyways, from mist/snow/light rain and other liquid ookies.