In photography, a lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare.
The geometry of the lens hood can vary from a plain conical section (much like a lamp shade) to a more complex cut sometimes called a flower, petal or tulip hood (as shown in the picture), which prevents the hood from blocking the field of view of the lens and producing vignetting. Flower shaped lens hoods are most often used on zoom lenses as a normal lens hood may block the field of view on some zoom settings.
Lens hoods are more prominent in telephoto lenses because the field of view has a smaller viewing angle than of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood (away from the end of the lens) cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses because of the viewing angle.
Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space.
In addition, they offer some level of protection for the lens due to the hood extending farther than the lens itself.
The above is from...
Wikipedia is there when you need it — now it needs you
They can be protective and also helpful inside. I do not use a 70/200 in wedding work, however, a 2nd I often use does and I ask her to use the hood as she is at the back of the church and when shooting the processional, we lost to many frames due to p&s flashes in the lens. They are tools and you use them if they work for you and fit your style and preference. Same w/ uv filters. I hate \'em, Hoyas, SMC, B&W MRC blah blah. I have had issues w/ reflection, not often however, some may use them and they work, fit a need; great.
My fixed focals almost always have a hood, 1 exception the 200 , zooms I rarely use a hood and it is uncommon for me to use a zoom @ a wedding.
strokes for folks
horses for courses
do whatever fits your need
Nov 21, 2008 at 02:52 AM
Previous versions of Aberdeen Photo's message #6404420 « Taking your top off... »
