To hood or not to hood?

To hood or not to hood?

  • Yes

    Votes: 83 72.2%
  • No

    Votes: 8 7.0%
  • Sometimes

    Votes: 24 20.9%

  • Total voters
    115
  • Poll closed .
I have a lens hood but never ever use it. It makes the camera too big.

Some photos have got flare, but that's because the location had flare.
 
On the one hand, the lens designers seem to think they are necessary, so I tend to use them; however, I really hate that the hood on my collapsible summicron makes it so much bigger than I'd like. I notice that, in every picture I've seen, HCB has a hood on his lenses...

Cheers,
Alex
 
like a base cap for the lens

like a base cap for the lens

How much better can you see your surroundings in the bright sunshine wearing a base cap ? So there should basically be no question about using a shade on the lens :D . Of course some "modern" AF lenses on digital SR's are already bulky w/o the shade and everytime I see people with the shade in "parking position" i.e. backwards - which really helps IQ....
 
Hoods are overrated

Hoods are overrated

Ok.. they often look pretty sexy, especially when they are vented or rectangular. But for a trade-off they give the camera some extra size.

They will give a little extra contrast and tend to lessen flare, but that's only a slight tad. Not enough bang for the .. *errr* .. size for me.

Considering the big variables in the gamble for contrast (direction and quality of light, quality of the lens itself and the choice of film/dev) the effects of a hood are almost nil. Plus some "local-contrast-enhancement" in Photoshop will outperform any hood in the "make it pop" department.
 
The only hoods I ever use are the ones on the Hexanon 50mm and on my Hexar AF, just because they're already built in (thanks Konica!). I have the hoods for my Hexanon 35mm and 28mm lenses, and for my Nokton 40mm, but they stay in the box... those lenses are contrasty enough anyway. I'm just starting to contemplate a hood for the Yashica GX, but never use one on my compact rangefinders (35SP, 35RC). I never use the hood on my SLR either, although the Canon 50mm f1.4 has an OK hood IMHO.
 
wintoid said:
The only hoods I ever use are the ones on the Hexanon 50mm and on my Hexar AF, just because they're already built in (thanks Konica!). I have the hoods for my Hexanon 35mm and 28mm lenses, and for my Nokton 40mm, but they stay in the box... those lenses are contrasty enough anyway. I'm just starting to contemplate a hood for the Yashica GX, but never use one on my compact rangefinders (35SP, 35RC). I never use the hood on my SLR either, although the Canon 50mm f1.4 has an OK hood IMHO.

Wintoid,

I always use the hood on my leica 50 cron and 24/2.8. (never use a filter) I'm in the market for a hood for my vc 40mm! So please PM me if you want to sell yours?! :)
Thnx Roel
 
YES, But.....

YES, But.....

Outside and Sunny to Partly Cloudy: YES Always
Outside with overcast sky's: Sometimes, Depends on how bright it is. Usually, I just leave it on if I am outside.
Inside: Rarely....unless I am shooting with bright window light at angles or behind the subject, OR...I have a lamp on without the shade to add some light so I can hand hold the camera for the picture.
 
Hoods are probably a really high markup item, like filters and food in a pub.

But when you drop your camera on to road/sidewalk you might be lucky if it has a hood, you might need a new hood. If you drop it naked, you might need a new lens or have a custom filter mount.

This is a male jewelry forum, what do you do after your drop it...

Noel
 
HansDerHase said:
Considering the big variables in the gamble for contrast (direction and quality of light, quality of the lens itself and the choice of film/dev) the effects of a hood are almost nil. Plus some "local-contrast-enhancement" in Photoshop will outperform any hood in the "make it pop" department.
Not really. Depending on position of light source(s), the difference with and without hood can be dramatic, from ruined shot to perfect capture.
 
I just wish we could get the heavystars guy to make 49 and 55mm I.D. square hoods for 25/35/40/50mm lenses that don't intrude into the VF OR a vented hood that would not do the same.

I've asked, but he says he has no plans to do so. Maybe if enough people ask............?
 
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With one exception, everything has a hood on it. That exception is my Nikkor 28/2.8 AIs that sits in the bottom of the SLR bag and that is only because of size.

I do wish CV would make a hood for the 40/1.4 that was reversable. While I love the vented hood, I would be willing to pay twice the already high price for that feature.

B2 (;->
 
Never with my Mamiya 7... It's just too much of a pain to take off and put on. You'd think with such a well-designed camera they'd make it so you could put the lens cap on when the hood is on!
 
Almost always outdoors, regardless of conditions; sometimes indoors. I have mixed feelings about hoods/shades. On the one hand they can make a significant difference in the outcome of the photo, but on the other hand, they sometimes add so much to the size of the outfit that they defeat the "smaller size aspect" of rangefinders.
 
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