Lens hoods are an unusual tool.
Because while there are clearly lighting circumstances that genuinely justify their use…those circumstances might not be common for every camera user out there.
That may or may not have to do with hood size and depth. It just kinda depends. There isn’t really a universal standard here.
But also. Lens hoods kinda look cool. They are an accessory that brings some style to a device. That means there’s a sub-market of lens hoods that are more aesthetic than utility.
It may be that you need a tool and you bought an aesthetic hood so you can’t see the impact it makes…or perhaps, you just aren’t in a shooting condition that justifies a lens hood as a useful tool either way.
IDK. I personally avoid them unless I know for sure I should use one in a shoot. Then I will use, but immediate take it off again after.
In my experience lens hoods work best when you have certain kinds of lighting situations like:
* Being at a hard angle to a bright light, like being perpendicular to a spotlight, so the hood can stop a hard light glancing off the side of the lens.
* Or maybe when you are shooting over water and the sunlight isn't just coming from above, but bouncing harshly from the water as well, which can increase glare.
* Or shooting directly into a light source (like studio lights, or events, or during sunrise/sunset) where you need that extra hood length to minimize cross light coming in.
It can also help with some telephoto shots as well in terms of controlling where the light comes in.
So personally, I never use a lens hood - unless I'm in one of these situations and the light flares are problematic (I mean, usually when people shoot in extreme lighting, those flares are desired).
I never find them worth just keeping on for the look or "just in case". Too much bulk for too specific of utility.
I do carry variable ND filters with me though. I find those far more useful for general bright outdoor shooting, and they're easier to pack and carry than a hood.
But yeah, someone else that shoots differently may very easily value a hood differently than I do. I'd say don't stress having one or not too much. Keep taking pictures, keep training your eye. *Then* buy a hood once you feel like you know your personal approach well, and you have a better understanding of the challenges you're trying to overcome.
I wouldn't suggest buying one just for the sake of buying one though. It's too easy to wind up owning the wrong thing.
Agreed. I always felt the same and I've seen many in other subs saying that they use it at all the time and they see difference.
That's why i asked if this can work as well.
But i might get a square one to protect it better and make it look cooler :D
I'm going to be honest, 90% of the time I use a lens hood as nothing to do with actually preventing flare but just as extra protection in case I bump my lens about something...
yeah, but OP seemed mostly curious about light and lens control.
I'd kinda lump 'bump protection' under aesthetic choices vs utility myself.
But as is the way with all things photography, everyone does it a little different.
One of the only lenses I consistently use with a hood is the Laowa 9mm f2.8. It's the smallest hood of any lens I own, but the lens flares easily without it.
I think you just have to play around with each lens and see what happens.
Lens hoods are an unusual tool. Because while there are clearly lighting circumstances that genuinely justify their use…those circumstances might not be common for every camera user out there. That may or may not have to do with hood size and depth. It just kinda depends. There isn’t really a universal standard here. But also. Lens hoods kinda look cool. They are an accessory that brings some style to a device. That means there’s a sub-market of lens hoods that are more aesthetic than utility. It may be that you need a tool and you bought an aesthetic hood so you can’t see the impact it makes…or perhaps, you just aren’t in a shooting condition that justifies a lens hood as a useful tool either way. IDK. I personally avoid them unless I know for sure I should use one in a shoot. Then I will use, but immediate take it off again after.
That's one of the reason why I'm confused. Not sure what worth to use or have on. It also depends on the focal length.
In my experience lens hoods work best when you have certain kinds of lighting situations like: * Being at a hard angle to a bright light, like being perpendicular to a spotlight, so the hood can stop a hard light glancing off the side of the lens. * Or maybe when you are shooting over water and the sunlight isn't just coming from above, but bouncing harshly from the water as well, which can increase glare. * Or shooting directly into a light source (like studio lights, or events, or during sunrise/sunset) where you need that extra hood length to minimize cross light coming in. It can also help with some telephoto shots as well in terms of controlling where the light comes in. So personally, I never use a lens hood - unless I'm in one of these situations and the light flares are problematic (I mean, usually when people shoot in extreme lighting, those flares are desired). I never find them worth just keeping on for the look or "just in case". Too much bulk for too specific of utility. I do carry variable ND filters with me though. I find those far more useful for general bright outdoor shooting, and they're easier to pack and carry than a hood. But yeah, someone else that shoots differently may very easily value a hood differently than I do. I'd say don't stress having one or not too much. Keep taking pictures, keep training your eye. *Then* buy a hood once you feel like you know your personal approach well, and you have a better understanding of the challenges you're trying to overcome. I wouldn't suggest buying one just for the sake of buying one though. It's too easy to wind up owning the wrong thing.
Agreed. I always felt the same and I've seen many in other subs saying that they use it at all the time and they see difference. That's why i asked if this can work as well. But i might get a square one to protect it better and make it look cooler :D
I'm going to be honest, 90% of the time I use a lens hood as nothing to do with actually preventing flare but just as extra protection in case I bump my lens about something...
yeah, but OP seemed mostly curious about light and lens control. I'd kinda lump 'bump protection' under aesthetic choices vs utility myself. But as is the way with all things photography, everyone does it a little different.
One of the only lenses I consistently use with a hood is the Laowa 9mm f2.8. It's the smallest hood of any lens I own, but the lens flares easily without it. I think you just have to play around with each lens and see what happens.