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Using a Camera Lens Hood

While some camera lenses automatically come with a lens hood, others don't, and you may be wondering whether you should get one. Much like a filter, they help to reduce light hitting your front element and protect the glass of your lens, albeit with a more rugged design than a filter. Whether you're photographing with an 18-55mm lens or a telephoto zoom with vibration reduction (VR) image stabilization technology, a lens hood can be an easy way to capture more dramatic and engaging images.

Why Should You Use Lens Hood?

A lens hood stops light from hitting your front lens element from the side, which can result in flare and a reduction in contrast in your images. You may opt to use a lens hood to achieve more saturated colors, which may otherwise wash out when you leave the lens element exposed to the sun.

• In addition to creating photos with deeper colors and richer saturation, a lens hood can also help to protect your lens from damage, scratches, and unwanted fingerprints by making the lens elements less accessible. Like a filter, they also help to prevent dust and rain from accessing the lens element, which can potentially lead to interior corrosion.
• While a lens hood may seem like an inconvenience and make your lens significantly longer, you can easily screw it on in reverse when you go to store your camera gear away. Keep in mind that the improvements in image quality and protection against damage it offers more than compensate for the time it takes to screw it on and off.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Lens Hood?

Lens hoods are available in a number of different shapes, which all offer different solutions to lens flare and are suitable for particular lenses or situations. In addition to circular, rectangular, and tulip hoods, you can also find more complex bellows lens hoods.

• The circular hood is one of the most classic styles and shaped just like the lens itself, but rectangular hoods are also widely used as they relate to the shape of the photograph and can block more extraneous light.
• You can rotate a tulip or petal lens hood to let more or less light in, and they are well liked for use with wide-angle lenses.
• Make sure the hood you are buying is compatible with your lens mount bayonet and its diameter. Simply search the brand of lens you own, such as a Nikon with VR, and its model or bayonet mount, then double check that the results for hoods are compatible.

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