chez wrote:
I am guessing you people that use hoods all the ti e don't use filters like polarizers or GND.
chez -- I think that's a pretty safe guess! The Alt users responding are a very select sub-set of all photographers, even landscape photographers.
I agree with Ulff, I generally won't use a hood unless it is small; or if I'm not using a filter like chez mentions. Most of the hoods being referred to here are small ones for prime lenses, not the overly-large monsters on zooms such as Canon's 70-200/2.8L, 24-70L, 16-35L, etc., so it is a relatively easy choice to mount the hood in any situation not requiring a CPL. Even though the question is addressed to general hood use (not just Alt hood use), it is in the Alt forum, so the result shouldn't be surprising in its lop-sided-ness.
I'm also sure Alt owners are going to be generally more protective of their investment and IQ than the average amatuer or even pro shooting assignments.
As here we are talking about profit side of hood, but I encounted the side effect too and it was almost lens's fatal destination.I attached flower hood to a zoom lens, after the session I didn'n detached the hood and put them in the bag and let it lay on the backsit of my car.The position of the camera is paralel to the surface of the sit and it touched by 2 points: the base of the camera and the lowest petail of the hood.The road was long and bad.Got home, I detached the hood and felt the front group a little loose.Next day when I tried a shot, AF seem stucked to one point, motor still ran.Brought to the
repair shop, the service man said: broke AF gear, derailed front group from grooves.Fortunately, he could fix it.My lesson of hood is : when the hood is on I only hang the camera, beside me when walking or in car, never let it lay on the surface.Better detach it right after shooting.
chez wrote:
I am guessing you people that use hoods all the ti e don't use filters like polarizers or GND.
I do. Hoods make polarizers better. Because instead of having to rotate a little tiny thin ring I can just grab and rotate the whole hood. Plus the reflections and flares that most CPLs introduce are cut by the hood - more often than not. My set of rubber hoods also have filter threads on the outside too so I can add a cap easily as well. So in the case of a CPL filter it would go:
Camera--> Lens--> CPL Filter--> Hood--> Cap.
In the case of a GND filter I like the big-arse square type. Rubber hoods collapse. So to get the GND closer to the front element I just collapse the hood and hold the GND in place. I have to admit though that I don't often use GND filters. I like exposure bracketing better. If there's too much clipping I just do a quick align and blend. But I don't do that very often either.
Gary Clennan wrote:
I always use 'em - exept at night and indoors....
Actually, I was running a test on my old FDn, and I found more noticeable improvements in contrast indoors with a hood than outdoors in sunlight. Interesting find for me, as I do not have one that will actually fit (held my kit hood up by hand) and so will try to get one for it soon.
Gunzorro wrote:
Bif -- What about bayonet mount hoods and rotating filters?
I put the bayonet hoods in the closet where they belong and use screw-type RUBBER hoods - only! The kinds with multiple position collapsibility! The only times I have used a bayonet is with the FD 85mm f/1.2L because I didn't have a hood that big at the time, and the Voigtlander Lanthar APO 125/2.5 - because I don't want to use the threads before I sold it. I got it new and wanna sell it for as new as possible - now sold. Oh, and also with ultra-fast telephotos built similar to the Canon 300/2.8L but those are special cases IMO...
Bayonet hoods can bite me! Hard plastic hoods bite too! Just my 2¢.
sirimiri wrote:
That's pretty epic, Bif...I applaud that shot.
Anyway, as regards to hoods, I use them as much as possible.
I assiduously avoid UV filters unless it's a setting where the air is saline, or likely to have beer spray.
Now, if it's a beer spray/high saline environment @ f0.95...
Thanks!
Beer and saline? Sounds like some good times! Kinda reminds me of my sailing and surfing days. Tho I still surf... just not with beer anymore.
campyone wrote:
Depends on the hood. If you're talking about a good deep hood like the ones usually found on long lenses then yes, they do the things you talk about (protect lens, help with flare). But the skinny little "butterfly" type hoods you typically see on short zooms are next to useless for anything, including protecting the lens.
I put hoods on most of the time on the theory that they can't hurt anything and might help the contrast a little. But for lens protection (no magic characteristics that protect from heavy impact but protection from things like scratches from underbrush when hiking) I use a skylight or similar filter. ...Show more →
This is my M.O. as well.
You didn't mention the round, can-shaped hoods that are made for so many wide angle primes. Aside from the very occasional side-light flare they may prevent, they mainly function as a place to rest my hand, which does most of the useful shading work. I just came across this device for sale; I've ordered one; it's what I've been looking for...and even considering trying to make myself. http://www.flexlensshade.com/
well there people here who got attracted to the alt forum in their search for "smaller lens than canon" (among other things)
smaller and hood dont mix well
I use hoods when I want to pretend I'm in a movie and I'm the evil guy spying on other guys using my ultra long uber lens as I hold the camera improperly.
No hood = lame wimpy safe lens that isn't a danger to anyone. It looks like a girl.
Hood = Optical Evil Incarnate. If I take a photo of you with this hood attached that means you'll be dead soon in the movie or at least the crime boss and/or FBI will get ultra detailed photos of you that they can enhance indefinitely.
Depends on the lens and the lighting conditions. I almost never use a hood indoors with normal indoor lighting conditions, and never use a hood if I am in the shade outdoors. On a lens like the Sigma 50/2.8 macro I never use a hood because the front element is recessed and I have never had an issue with flare/ghosting. My Samsung 16/2.4 is so resistant to flare/ghosting I never use a hood for it under any lighting conditions.
cputeq wrote:
Hood = Optical Evil Incarnate. If I take a photo of you with this hood attached that means you'll be dead soon in the movie or at least the crime boss and/or FBI will get ultra detailed photos of you that they can enhance indefinitely.
this is why i don't care about IQ, i can just sit at my computer and say "enhance" until i magically have a beautiful gigapixel image even without a hood.
The Alt users responding are a very select sub-set of all photographers, even landscape photographers. 
