Why Use a Lens Hood For DSLR Camera?
Well, you are not required to use a lens hood, but if there are some good reasons to do so.
A secondary use for a lens hood is to protect the lens. The damage avoided can range from a fingerprinted front element (a minor inconvenience) to a broken front element (possibly a major expense - and loss of photos / downtime).
Lens hoods are generally strong and protrude from the lens at some distance. Accidental touches and scratches to the front element are reduced simply because the glass is harder to reach with the hood in place.
Some impact protection is obtained by having a sacrificial part receiving the blow. Of course, ultra wide angle lenses have very short caps that offer very little protection.
Lens caps on longer focal length lenses offer more front lens element protection from rain and dust. Of course, if your lens is not weather sealed, you should not let it get wet in the first place. A clean, dry front element enables the camera to deliver the best image quality you expect.
But lens caps are expensive - and inconvenient. Yes. But your lens was probably much more expensive - and you're shooting with a D-SLR because you want the best possible image quality (not because it's convenient and cheap).
Lens hoods are usually fixed upside down for convenient but compact storage. Note that this inverted position is not for actively photographing and using the lens. I am amazed at the number of people I see shooting with the lens hood in this inverted position. Don't be one of them - the hood is in the way when upside down - it's no use.
The lens hood can also offer a convenience: I usually use the camera with the lens attached to a toploader-style case or backpack. To allow faster shooting, I often leave the hood installed (not inverted) and leave the lens cap off - allowing the hood to protect the front lens element.
A little tip of convenience: If the lens hood fits your taste very well, add some oil to the wires. Your body oil - forehead, nose ... The hood will be much easier to twist.
Canon L Lens series lenses usually come with proper lens coverage. Canon non-L lens caps typically cost between $ 25 and $ 35 and are available from many retailers on this site. Note that some non-L lenses ship with hoods in some areas of the world - particularly in Asia.
I've been lobbying at Canon USA to include lens caps with all of your lenses - you're welcome to join me in this cause by lobbying at your regional Canon division.
Get in the habit of always wearing a lens cap!
Related links:
Why Use a Lens Hood?
The primary use of a lens hood is to prevent light from striking the front lens element from the sides - reducing contrast and creating glare. Photos taken with a lens cap attached may have richer color and deeper saturation.A secondary use for a lens hood is to protect the lens. The damage avoided can range from a fingerprinted front element (a minor inconvenience) to a broken front element (possibly a major expense - and loss of photos / downtime).
Lens hoods are generally strong and protrude from the lens at some distance. Accidental touches and scratches to the front element are reduced simply because the glass is harder to reach with the hood in place.
Some impact protection is obtained by having a sacrificial part receiving the blow. Of course, ultra wide angle lenses have very short caps that offer very little protection.
Lens caps on longer focal length lenses offer more front lens element protection from rain and dust. Of course, if your lens is not weather sealed, you should not let it get wet in the first place. A clean, dry front element enables the camera to deliver the best image quality you expect.
But lens caps are expensive - and inconvenient. Yes. But your lens was probably much more expensive - and you're shooting with a D-SLR because you want the best possible image quality (not because it's convenient and cheap).
Lens hoods are usually fixed upside down for convenient but compact storage. Note that this inverted position is not for actively photographing and using the lens. I am amazed at the number of people I see shooting with the lens hood in this inverted position. Don't be one of them - the hood is in the way when upside down - it's no use.
The lens hood can also offer a convenience: I usually use the camera with the lens attached to a toploader-style case or backpack. To allow faster shooting, I often leave the hood installed (not inverted) and leave the lens cap off - allowing the hood to protect the front lens element.
A little tip of convenience: If the lens hood fits your taste very well, add some oil to the wires. Your body oil - forehead, nose ... The hood will be much easier to twist.
Canon L Lens series lenses usually come with proper lens coverage. Canon non-L lens caps typically cost between $ 25 and $ 35 and are available from many retailers on this site. Note that some non-L lenses ship with hoods in some areas of the world - particularly in Asia.
I've been lobbying at Canon USA to include lens caps with all of your lenses - you're welcome to join me in this cause by lobbying at your regional Canon division.
Get in the habit of always wearing a lens cap!
Related links:
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