I'm with Paul and Shel. I *always* use a lens hood. The only
exception is when it interferes with something (like the built in
flash, possibly ... if I ever used it, that is).
My lens suite with hoods:
http://homepage.mac.com/godders/lenshood-lineup-1845.jpg
Godfrey
On Dec 24, 2005, at 12:45 PM, Paul Stenquist wrote:
Use a hood all the time, except perhaps with an on-camera flash
that it might obstruct. The idea is to prevent light from hitting
the lens at obtuse angles. At worst, extraneous light can cause
serious flare. At least, it can cause some loss of contrast. You
might not see the difference in most situation, but when you do see
it, it's too late to go back and put the hood on. Use the hood.
Many of us try to find hoods that offer even more protection than
the original equipment version. For example, I use a hood
originally meant for a Takumar 135 with my FA 50 when mounted on
the *istD. It provides optimum protection, and with the reduced FOV
of the digital camera, it doesn't vignette. Hoods are a good thing.
Paul
On Dec 24, 2005, at 3:15 PM, Sunny Use itChung wrote:
I have a lens hood, buy I hardly ever use it. Whenever I do use
it, I
can never tell the difference in my pictures. What is the best
situation to use hoods in, and how do get the most out of this
accessory. So far, I know NOT to use it with flash and that it can
make my lens look bigger to non-camera people, but haven't really
figured out its use.
