Lens Shades - Yes or No

[Dogman]

I’d keep it on. Even if you haven’t had flare issues before, the hood still offers a bit of protection and helps with contrast when you have strong side or back light. You won’t always notice flare in the viewfinder, but it can still affect micro-contrast.

That said, if you’re shooting in controlled or flat light and prefer the smaller size, leaving it off is unlikely to cause problems. It’s one of those cases where there’s very little downside to using it, and occasional benefit when conditions change.

Your first post, @AnnaKeller . Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your stay.


Marty mentioned the chrome filter ring reflecting. That's a good reason to use a filter with a black metal ring. Covers the chrome, reduces the chances.

Hoods are good in the rain. But I don't go out in the rain. Sometimes they just look ridiculous--wide angle saucer hoods, for instance. Sometimes they make the lenses too long, whacking every door frame you walk through. Snap on hoods snap off and go rolling away. Screw on hoods can get stuck on the lens and can unscrew by themselves--amazingly talented little buggers. The Zeiss hoods are nice and some of the best fitting. I don't think they're necessary but they're some of the best of the bad bunch. IMO the best lens hood designs were those on the first Fuji lenses, the 35/1.4 and 18/2. Look something like a squashed beer can. Low profile but cut precisely to fit the image area of the lens. Haoge later made some metal hoods of the same design that I think are even nicer. I do use those. They become part of the lens, never getting in the way, never looking ridiculous or bumping into stuff.

In the end, it's really a personal decision on use of hoods, filters, cameras, lenses, subject matter and the person you end up marrying. 🐶



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[Dan]

IMO the best lens hood designs were those on the first Fuji lenses, the 35/1.4 and 18/2. Look something like a squashed beer can. Low profile but cut precisely to fit the image area of the lens.

Totally agree, Dogman, I have those two lenses and the hoods stay on all the time. If only the original lens caps were done properly....

 

[Shadams]

I always use a filter. Rugged life. In front of the filter if I cannot see directly through the lens while shooting, I use a hood.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... Screw on hoods can get stuck on the lens and can unscrew by themselves--amazingly talented little buggers. ...

Funny you say that. While I do use shades on all of my lenses, I absolutely hate screw-on shades for the reasons you state. In addition, if you use filters, the screw-on shade needs to screw onto the filter - and sometimes the shade gets stuck to the filter. What a PITA!! My answer to this is to never buy a lens that requires [only] a screw-on shade.

 

[Freakscene]

A bit off topic but which lenses did Tomioka make for the Contax? All made in Japan lenses? I can imagine that all made in West Germany lenses were made by Zeiss, right?

Tomioka made most of the AEJ and MMJ lenses. Some assembly was done elsewhere, it seems. The shift lens was made (definitely assembled) by Schneider, for example. The AEG and MMG lenses, however, were definitely made by Zeiss.