frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan

Need lens hoods for my 18-55, 70-300 (and maybe my 35mm prime).

I see small, even sided hoods as well as deeper hoods with scalloped sides.
One better than the other (bigger better?)?

Also, big difference in prices between Nikon OEM and third party brands. Is the OEM that much better or are any of the less expensive brands decent?

Gratitude!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

There are several versions of each of your zoom lenses, and they all take different hoods typically. The scalloped or "tulip" hood provide the best coverages on zoom lenses.
Your 35mm F1.8DX lens uses an HB-46 hood.
The biggest problem with third party hoods is that they often do not fit well and are made of inferior quality plastics.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Depth and scalloped sides are lens specific, check for hoods to match the lens. Bought a third party hood once, did not like it, stick with OEM in my opinion. You get what you pay for. If you are not shooting in harsh light that may cause light flares, and you do not drop your lens, a hood may not be necessary. Your choice.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

First of all, the "scalloped" hoods, usually referred to as tulip hoods, are for wide angle lenses or zoom lenses that have a wide angle focal length. They are shaped that way so the corners of the photo don't get blocked by the hood. That is usually referred to as vignetting. My 18-140mm lens had a Nikon branded tulip hood included with the lens.

The cylindric hoods are usually meant for longer focal length lenses. My 55-300mm lens came with a cylindric hood with no cut outs, and it works perfectly.

There are certainly very good third party lens hoods, but I would see how they attach to your particular lens. My experience with a tulip hood that screws into to threads on the lens has been awful.

I recommend that you take your camera and lens to a brick and mortar camera shop (if you can find one) and check out the hood on your camera and lens before buying. Otherwise, only buy from a store that will allow you to return it for a full refund (or store credit).

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Couldn’t agree more. No matter how it’s labeled, you need to try it out and look for vignetting. The ones that are the lens maker’s brand generally fit the best.

I’ve never not shot with a lens hood, in any format, for at least four decades. It may be less important with today’s lens coatings, but in ☀️ it’s always better.

Andy

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Not necessarily so. Some telephoto zooms come with tulip hoods, such as the HB-29 for the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 G-AFS.
And the AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D takes the round HN-1 hood.

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

I am a firm believer of lens hoods. They not only shield your lens from unwanted light but they also keep your fingers off the front element. Your lens definitely will be cleaner with a lens hood always installed. The lens hood also protects your lens from accidental knocks and bumps and will take the brunt of a drop or blow. Cheaper to replace a lens hood than a lens. If the hood reverses on the lens for storage then you will never be without it. I am so used to taking all my pictures with a lens hood installed that when I don't have one on (like when I am using a ring light) I feel that my lens is naked.

I have tried a number of third party hoods over the years and have been 90% disappointed in them. Get the hood that the maker of the lens recommends. If you want a rubber lens hood then definitely get the one that the lens maker offers. I believe that all third party rubber lens hoods are crap. Rubber lens hoods collapse or fold back on themselves so always stay on the lens and storage is a non-issue as it is always there. Rubber lens hoods are an advantage it you take pictures in an aquarium.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The Nikon lenses I have all came with a lens hood. Do these two lenses not come with one? For wide angle or wide angle zooms you really need one for that specific lens.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jeff, welcome to the Hog!
Most of the hoods provided, regardless of shape have been optimized to work with those lenses and not add, or at least minimal vignetting to that lens.
I’m willing to bet that the bigger the better, again as long as it does not introduce additional vignetting.
Now the hood on a Rolls, now THAT’S a hood!!! LoL
SS

frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan

No hoods included with any of my three lenses. ???

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I suggest you go to Nikon's website and find out what lens hood came with the lenses. That will show you the "best" choice for each particular lens.

Nikonusa.com --> Nikon Products --> DSLR lenses --> choose your lens --> go to full description --> choose Accessories --> find lens hood

You can add it to your cart and purchase it directly from Nikon, or buy it from your favorite vendor.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My Nikon lenses come with a Nikon Lens hoods. I have never lost one, but if I did, I would buy OEM because when I sell my lenses on Ebay OEM equipment always has a selling advantage over third party. IMHO.

ggenova64

I agree! Get OEM Hoods.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

My 18-55 didn’t come with a hood, nor can I attach one to it. My 35mm f/1.8 takes an HB-46 hood. My 70-300 takes a HB-36 hood. I’ve only bought one off-brand hood, when I lost the original and it works fine. My camera store didn’t have the brand name hood.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Your 18-55mm zoom (wide to normal to short telephoto) will need a "tulip" shaped hood.

Your 70-300mm zoom (telephoto to telephoto) probably uses a plain hood, though some also use tulip shaped.

35mm prime lens.... if it's an FX, probably uses a tulip shaped.... if it's a DX lens, probably uses a plain hood.

Look up the matched lens hood for YOUR SPECIFIC LENS... then search for best price on that.

OEM hoods are more expensive.... cheaper third party may not be as well made or fit as well, but usually work (and it's hard to say unless you try).

DO NOT be fooled by cheap "generics" that screw in and really aren't matched to the lens. Those are a pain the arse to use.

Most proper fitted hoods today are bayonet mount and can be reversed on the lens for storage in minimum space. A lens hood can improve your images and help protect your lens from bumps. Get em, use em!