How Important Is It To Use A Lens Hood?

Many of us look at the photographers when taking pictures the camera is very cool because it comes with a lens hood, they look great with a lens hood. But, How Important is it to use a lens hood? Is just for style? Complementary camera?

I will try to answer it a bit, actually lens hood is used in accordance with the conditions when you take a picture, is associated with light. Lens hood to help reduce the entry of light into the lens (reducing flare), in addition lens hood can help protect the lens from impact and scratches. Use a lens hood with the right, if you use the flash / flash do not attach your lens hood.

Many professional photographers who do not use a lens hood, they know how to put objects and understanding the effects of light on the photo. If a strong light and place flares they use hands to cover the lens as a way to block light. If still confused, you can try to shoot with a lens hood and without the lens hood, see the difference in the picture.

Fotodiox Dedicated (Bayonet) Lens Hood for Canon

Fotodiox Dedicated (Bayonet) Lens Hood, for Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 USM, II, II USM, III & III USM Lenses, Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens as Canon ET-60


Lens hoods are primarily designed to prevent unwanted stray light from entering the lens by extending and shading the end of the lens. In addition, since the end of the lens is extended, you also get the added benefit of some extra protection from accidental impact. Dedicated lens hoods are designed to match the specific focal length of the lens it was designed for.

Costumer Review Fotodiox Dedicated (Bayonet) Lens Hood for Canon
By :Kenneth R. Depree (Sosua, Dominican Republic)

I am happy to confirm all the good things said about this lens hood by the previous posters. Also, this hood is deep enough to protect the lens and shield it from stray light. I used this hood when taking 1500 photos with my Canon 55-250 lens and there was no sign that it affected the photo in any way.

I am very impressed with Fotodiox as a supplier of camera accessories. I now have hoods for two lenses and lens caps, all very well made and purchased for a fraction of what I would have had to pay for the equivalent from Canon or other suppliers.

You will need a center-pinch lens cap if you use this hood. The Fotodiox lens cap sold by Amazon would be a good choice.

Lens Hood Function

At first I did not understand the lens hood function, I think just for the variation in front of the lens. After I was looking for from several sources I finally understand usability lens hood.

Briefly lens hood is a tool used at the end of the lens to block the sun or other light sources to prevent glare and lens flare. Another function is
1. Google glare blocking.
2. Protect the glass lens or filter.
3. Make your camera look cool.

Geometry of the lens hood can vary from a cylindrical or conical part plain (such as light colors) to more complex cut sometimes called a tulip, flower petals or hood (as seen in some photos), which results in a reasonable good shade without blocking the field of view lens and thereby produce vignetting. True petal shaped lens hood shade to produce more than normal lens hood with the same final diameter. Square lens hood might be better.

Lens hoods are more prominent in the focus of a long lens because field of view at an angle of view smaller than a wide-angle lens. For wide angle lens, the length of the hood (away from the tip of the lens) can not all like to telephoto lenses due to the point of view.

Lens hoods are often designed to fit on the lens that fits both facing forward, for normal use, or backward, so that may be stored with the lens hood without occupying a lot of extra space. Some flexible lens hood and collapse for storage.

In addition, they offer some physical protection for the lens because the hood extend further than the lens itself.

Canon EW78BII Lens Hood

Canon EW78BII Lens Hood for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Canon SLR Lens


Product Description
Lens Hoods offer several benefits to the photographer. Primarily the hood shades the lens from stray light that may result in an unwanted discoloration or hazing of the image, or the appearance of lens flare. Shading your lens helps improve contrast and image quality. A lens hood is not required to eliminate these problems, as any item used to shade the lens will provide the same protection from stray light. The hood is convenient in that it is built to offer protection while ensuring that it will not inadvertently find its way into your image. Photographers often state the protective abilities of a hood as a reason to have one.

Product Review
By: J. Sankovitch (Lexington, KY)

I just recently got this lens hood and took it out to a park to try it out. I thought my EF 28-135 took good shots before... I was pleasantly surprised at the results of using this relatively cheap add-on. In a bright environment lens flare can be present in a subtle way, taking out some shadow depth and "bleaching" out a shot. This hood helps prevent that and really had an impact on my shots.

The hood itself is well built, made of high end plastics and the inside has a soft fabric coating to absorb light and protect your lens. It locks onto the front of the lens quickly and is easily removed when not wanted. You can also use this hood in conjunction with a lens filter, so you don't have to compromise between the two.

Again, you can't beat the bang for buck value here.