Jessica A. Evers |
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What Is a Lens Hood For?
OK, I am trying my hardest to figure out everything and learn everything about photography. I just went and bought a Quantaray 70 mm - 300 mm lens and it came with a lens hood, but ... I don't know how to use it or what it is even for. Somebody, please help!!
December 07, 2005
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Bob Cammarata |
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The hood helps to minimize lens flare from the rays of the sun entering the lens opening. Kind of like how the rim on a baseball cap shields your eyes on a sunny day.)
December 06, 2005
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doug Nelson |
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It's smart to use a hood on any lens. You never know when stray light will cause a problem. Overhead light streaked a shot down the middle when I was too lazy to bring along the hood. Also, you have protection from impact. Kudos to Quantaray for providing a hood. Canon makes you pay extra on a NEW lens that costs hundreds.
December 07, 2005
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Pete H |
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The hood prevents stray, off-angle light from striking the edge of your lens, which may cause light streaks ... and often does ... sometimes with spectacularly beautiful effects; although not controllable. LOL
A camera lens is NOT intended to capture light "off axis" (i.e) anywhere except from the front. A hood should be used at all times when shooting on a bright day. At night, it is probably not needed, although I do use one at night just in case a passing car's headlights ruin my shot.
I say at all times for this reason...
Try this experiment: Curl your fingers as if making a tunnel. Look at a scene through this tunnel. Now look at the same scene straight on without your finger tunnel. You'll see why I say to always use a hood.
Off-angle glare is a real problem, especially with multiple lens elements arranged in groups.
The hood will help with better color rendition as well as it prevents, or at least inhibits, glare, be it above, below or from the side from getting in.
All the Best,Pete
December 07, 2005
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John Rhodes |
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Jessica, the lens hood is certainly for controlling unwanted light from causing flares on the photo. However, there is another very important reason for always keeping the hood in place. It does a remarkable job of protecting the lens from damage. Some use a UV filter, but that just adds glass that could cause image problems. Use the hood--save the glass.
John
December 07, 2005
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Jessica A. Evers |
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Thanx so much for all of your replies. It helped a lot I just couldn't figure out what it was for or how to even get it on but now I understand that it helps with sun rays thank you so much now I can shoot
December 08, 2005
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Robert F. Wilson |
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Jessica, Just remember if your camera has a built in flash, with the lens extended you could get a shadow from the lens hood blocking the flash.
Robert
December 13, 2005
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John P. Sandstedt |
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Bob's right. And - You'll get that same shadow effect if you use a long lens [tel or zoom] with the on-camera flash. Better to use a bigger, detachable model.
December 21, 2005
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