What do hoods do for lenses

The lens hood is creating a shadow over the front element of the lens thus blocking the light from hitting it. In this case, you are likely to get lens flare. This will give your pictures a stronger contrast of colours and tones and to stop lens flare. You should have a lens hood on all the time. Another bonus in using a lens hood is that it will protect the front of your lens. Much cheaper to replace than a lens! Another tip here is to always keep your lens clean as this will increase contrast and avoid lens flare too.

There are times when you might not want to use a lens hood. This is when you actually want to create lens flare or when you are using the pop-up flash on your camera. On some cameras, the light from the pop-up flash will be blocked by the lens hood and create a shadow in the bottom of your picture.

Creating lens flare on purpose can also give an awesome look to both portrait and landscape photography. Taken without a lens hood whilst shooting into the sun. The circles you see is the light reflecting off the elements within the lens. It breaks down into two main types really. A petal-type lens hood and a cylindrical one. Petal lens hoods have the corners cut away. These types of hoods are used on your standard zoom lenses and lenses that go to wider angles. Then you have cylinder lens hoods, and these are perfect cylinders with nothing cut away.

They are made for fixed focal range lenses prime lenses and telephoto lenses. Telephoto lenses, lenses used for sports and wildlife photography, can also have cylinder lens hoods. This is because these lenses do not go to wide angles, therefore the lens hood will not be seen. To learn more about lenses and focal lengths, click here. Is it a one size fits all scenario?

You have to get the lens hood for your particular lens. I am amazed at the number of people I see shooting with their lens hood in this reversed position. Don't be one of them - the hood is just in the way when reversed - it does no good. The lens hood can also offer a convenience: I frequently case my camera with lens attached in a toploader-style case or a backpack.

To allow a faster shot, I often leave the hood installed not reversed and leave the lens cap off - allowing the hood to protect the front lens element. A small convenience tip: If the lens hood fits too tightly for your liking, add a little body oil to the threads.

Your body oil - from your forehead, nose The hood will be much easier to twist on. Canon L Lens series lenses generally ship with the proper lens hood.

Note that some non-L lenses are shipped with hoods in some areas of the world - particularly Asia. Petal Lens Hoods Petal lens hoods are uniquely designed to be shorter and have curved notches that block out light, whilst increasing the frame size offered by wide angle lenses and full-frame camera sensors.

Cylindrical Lens Hoods Cylindrical lens hoods work by protecting your lens and blocking stray light. You can ask us in store or research about the appropriate lens hood shape for your lens.

Browse our lens hoods today. If you need any more information on lens hoods or which one would be best for you, contact us on , or visit us in store. Whats is a lens hood for The main purpose of a lens hood is to shade the front of your lens, to keep light from falling across the lens and causing unwanted flairs and a washed out, low contrast look.

Why use a lens hood? When should you use a lens hood? Types of lens hoods Lens hoods tend to come in two shapes; petal shaped and cylindrical shaped. Comments Write comment 0 Comments.