90mm Macro Elmar. Hood really required??

[qruyk12]

I have the 90mm macro elmar. It uses a very deep hood. Funny thing, when I use the hood or not in many lighting conditions, I see no difference. Makes me wonder if I actually need it.

Your thoughts or experiences....

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Always use a hood: 1) for looks (very important); and 2) for front element protection (also very important).

 

[sleepyhead]

I've used the macro elmar for about 2 years now, without the hood, and without a UV filter for protection, with no flare problems whatsoever.

 

[payasam]

I have followed the old rule that there is no photograph which cannot be improved with the use of a hood. "Side by side" tests with various lenses have confirmed the truth of it. The Macro Elmar may be unique, but I doubt that.

 

[qruyk12]

Boyz in the hood

Boyz in the hood

Looks like the boyz in the hood out number us.

Thanks for all your advice. Appreciated as usual. perhaps this lens is unique. i just cannot see the difference. But then again have not been to the eye doctor in 14 months. 😛

 

[sleepyhead]

I agree that in general it would be best to have a hood on all the time on the off chance that in some lighting situations it'll make a difference.

But as one who likes to carry the bare minimum, and who also likes to "whip it out" with little or no fussing about and take a picture when one presents itself, FOR ME, it works best to no use hoods on a regular basis.

Perhaps the lenses I own are exceptional, but I really have never had problems with flare without using hoods.

 

[payasam]

I have done tests, both forty years ago and a few months ago. There was no doubt that hoods make a difference. Whether the difference is significant is another matter. That will vary from person to person, from lens to lens, from one application to another...

 

[mudhaus]

The leica hood made for the 50mm elmar (part # 12550) works just great. Of course it does not block as much light as the proper hood, but it keeps the lens very compact, protects the glass and provides all the shading I need...

 

[Tim Gray]

I don't use a hood with this lens. Mostly because it didn't come with a hood and I'm having problems finding a reasonably cheap one on ebay. While I'm sure it would benefit from a hood, even if only a tiny amount, I've not had any out-of-control flaring yet or anything that makes me really wish I had a hood.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Just put the hood on the lens and LEAVE it there! Modern multicoated lenses don't flare as easily as older ones but the hood does keep you from slamming the front element into the corner of a table while the camera is hanging from your shoulder. When I look at the dinged bright aluminum front rims on the black hoods of my lenses I realize that some of those lenses would have looked like I'd tried to sandpaper the coating off of them if not for the hoods. The ONLY reason to take off the hood is to put a filter on the lens.