Lens Hood - Generic Question

Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 36 Location: IRVINE, CA

Hello Everyone,

Recently, I have been thinking about buying a Lens Hood for my lens. Right now, I have two lenses - they are the 18-55mm Kit Lens for the Nikon D50, and the 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens. I have been thinking about getting a Lens Hood initially to protect my lens from getting damaged.

However, recently I have heard that it has benefits for image performance as well. I read somewhere that it may prevent from Flare and Ghostly Circle things from appearing in the images and that it may also increase the Contrast and affect the colors to make them more vivid, is this True? I am not sure and was wondering if anyone here in the forums could direct me to some true information about this. If at all possible, can someone give me a clear understanding about what the performance advantages of having a Lens Hood is?

The Lens Hood I was planning to get was the HR-2 Rubber Lens Hood for my 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. It costs about $15 dollars online and I wanted to make sure before I spent these 15 bucks, haha. Is it worth it to spend $15 for this? Would it be a better investment to spend on a lens hood for my 50mm Prime lens or my 18-55mm Kit Lens?

Finally, if possible, can someone show me some example images of pictures taken WITH a Lens Hood versus pictures taken WITHOUT a Lens Hood? I would greatly appreciate it!!!

Thank you everyone in advance,
Brian

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:28 am

Brian,

Have you ever been driving around with a dirty windshield and it's no big deal until you turn toward the sun low in the sky? Then all that glare makes it almost impossible to see out? Well a lens hood simply shades the glass of the lens to keep any high contrast light from striking it which would cause glares and flares like the sun striking your windshield. Anytime direct light hits your glass that light has a tendency to skatter all over inside the lens reflecting off all that glass in there which means you see more reflections of the light source and less of the actual subject you are shooting.

Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 118 Location: Pacific N.W.

You could always try this first to see if the 15 dollar investment is worth it to you.
http://www.lenshoods.co.uk/

Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 176 Location: philly

would a lens hood be visible when taking a wide angle shot?