Lens Hoods?

[disneyfanUSA]

What do lens hoods do? Should I buy them I have the pentax 18-55 and Pentax 55-300.

 

[photo_chick]

Lens hoods help prevent lens flare. Some of us also use them to keep the end of the lens from being knocked around. Using them or not is really a personal choice.

 

[YesDear]

A lens hood performs two purposes. First, it is designed to protect the front glass element of the lens. You will find many different opinions whether people like them for that purpose or will use them.

The second purpose is to help reduce or prevent light flair on the front element of the lens.

 

[disneyfanUSA]

Do you guys reccomened a tulip or round hood?

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Tulip hoods look cooler....

 

[photo_chick]

Tulip are supposed to help prevent vignetting and not block the field of view as much, but I have not seen as much benefit from that on my crop camera as on my 35mm camera.

 

[zackiedawg]

I use them for every one of my lenses - but I couldn't say whether or not I would go out and intentionally buy one if it hadn't already been supplied. Fortunately with Sony/Minolta, hoods are always supplied - so I haven't ever had to think about buying one. In general, I like that they help deflect flare in bright Florida sun, and I like the extra security of having that bit of plastic or metal surrounding the outer lens glass. I have no favor between design or type - I just take what they give me with my lens...most of mine are flower type, notably those that come with the wider angle lenses, while the telephotos are usually very long straight tubes as there's no danger of vignetting at the longer focal lengths.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I absolutely use mine for protection and to prevent lens flair. I dropped my 50d with my 70-200 attached on concrete once (Black Rapid Strap Failure). Anyways, because the lens hood was attached, the plastic was able to absorb alot of the impact and likely saved my camera. It was funny, everyone in the audiance shuttered, I picked up my camera and just kept shooting like nothing was wrong - it was pretty cool.

but yeah, I think lens hoods for me are more about protection than anything, I use them both indoors and outdoors.

 

[C&B Young]

Pentax makes hoods for both of those lenses, I would search ebay for the equivalent non-manufacturer (Chinese) version. They'll only run you about $5 each. I've got hoods for all of my lenses, the only actual manufacturer versions though are the ones that were included with the lens itself. No way I'm spending $30+ for the official version!

 

[Experiment_626]

I think hoods are a great way to kill two birds with one stone -- they can improve IQ by blocking flare -- both the obvious examples and also the more subtle variety that robs images of contrast, and they protect the front of a lens without compromising image quality, as often happens with UV filters. The only lens I use without a hood is my Nikon 50mm f/1.8, but that one has a deeply-recessed front element, so much so that the lens is almost its own hood.

Scott

 

[MarkBarbieri]

If you have a choice, always get the tulip. A flat is limited by how far it can stick out by the corners of the lens. The tulip shape can extend farther on the sides to block more light without vignetting.

There are downsides to the tulips, though. You can stand your lens on a table on the hood, which means you either need to lay it on its side (takes up more space, could roll) or stand it on the mount size (smaller and could easily tip over). The other problem with tulip shaped hoods is that if they rotate a bit from where they are supposed to be, they'll vignette. This is especially a problem for EF-S/DX lenses on APS-C cameras or FF lenses on FF cameras. My 70-200's hood is getting worn and turns easily. My solution is a bit of gaffer tape to hold it in place.

 

[disneyfanUSA]

Does this seem good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/P51-52mm-Lens-H...igital_Camera_Accessories&hash=item20b3fc32fa

 

[Marlton Mom]

Tulip hoods look cooler....

Yeah, but you can take the round ones off your lens and use them to cut biscuits or sugar cookies.



Marlton Mom

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Does this seem good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/P51-52mm-Lens-H...igital_Camera_Accessories&hash=item20b3fc32fa

I bought a bunch from ebay in the spring and for the most part am not real happy with them.

THey are fine on my smaller fixed lenses, heres why.

I'm lazy.

My wife may be shocked by that but its the truth. Most hoods sold on ebay are threaded, making them a PITA to take on and off. The ones I bought stay on my 28mm and 50mm. The others are in a drawer some where...

So ask the seller how they attach, and make sure what kind can fit on the lens you want a hood for...

 

[Groucho]

The OEM hoods "click" into place on a special track so there's no danger of them being loose or rotating. Aftermarket ones, well... no such guarantee.

I kept the hood that came with the 18-55mm on my K100D for my wife's K-x's 18-55mm. Of course, it's not red, but what can you do.

As for should you have them - yes, definitely. It's a shame that they're not included by default any longer; that was a relatively unique "plus" for Pentax for several years. At least you do still get a dedicated focus ring and non-rotating front element.

 

[MinnieForMe]

It wouldn't be a good day without a photography question from me. Can anyone tell me if you have to buy a different lens cover when you buy a hood? I'm looking at this one. Any opinions? It's for my kit lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Pentax-Ph-Rba-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B003G5A2RW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top


Any suggestions for a cheap tripod? This is a tripod that I will keep for around the house. I plan on getting the one that clamps for my scooter for traveling. It was a great suggestion!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

That hood looks very close, if not identical, to the Pentax hood for the 18-55 and you should be able to use your existing lens cap.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Thank you. I'm off to order another thing! At least, it's one of my cheapest photography buys! LOL.

 

[Groucho]

I agree, that looks like an exact copy of the OEM one, even including the removable filter window (so you can easily adjust a circular polarizer or other rotating filter.) Good find!

 

[hobbester]

get a big honkin' one = )

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6UL/ref=oss_product