Lens Hoods - For & Against

[Jack Tattersall]

Has anyone any strong feelings either for or against using the lens hood on the D300. Don Mincher uses his to protect the lens. I don't use it because it makes the camera even more conspicuous and bulkier to carry around. I'd be interested to hear other views.

[Ron Wrucke]

I almost always have a hood on my lens - it can certainly help re. plain old 'protection' + flare reduction and it rarely 'shows up' in an image (e.g., w/ a WA lens). I don't care about conspicuous, since the only things usually looking at me are birds and other wildlife .. :-)

[Jack Tattersall]

Thanks for your comments, Ron. I also like photoing birds and it could be that the hood would stop some of the reflections from the lens that I am sure frightens the birds sometimes. I often watch a bird in the garden happily bathing in the bird bath only to fly away as soon as I point the camera at it! I'll give it a try!

[Lea]

I usually use a hood on my lens as well. I have found it really aids in reducing the flare, aids in true exposure in extreem lighting situations, (sometimes even the use of your hand to help mask out additional brightness helps, makes the night lights more distinct by eleviating the surrounding light as much as possible, helps in reducing other side flash possibilities in concert settings, group activities or close proximity to other point and shoot nucences. Lord how I dispise dealing with these camera shooters. And has saved my lens from close encounters from the obnoxous ones. (jealous point and shooters) LOL
Rarely does the hood interfere in the final image shot, even with my super wide 11-16mm Tokina.
To help do away with lens flash scaring away your subject try using a polarizer filter, the darker color doesn't reflect as much and you may like the results as well.

[Jack Tattersall]

Many thanks, Lea, I will get a polarizer and try that with the birds. Many of my bird shots are taken when I am sitting at the dining table having breakfast and are shot through a double glazed door (how lazy is that?) - but they still seem to see the lens very quickly and fly off!

[Ron Wrucke]

<<Many of my bird shots are taken when I am sitting at the dining table having breakfast and are shot through a double glazed door (how lazy is that?)>>

I'm good at "lazy" .. When I shoot hummers at my deck feeder, I have my camera on a tripod located about 10' away and pre-focused .. the hummers seem to like to feed at 'happy hour' time, so I oblige - I use a wireless remote, sit in a comfortable chair off in the shade with a cooler of my favorite brews, and when the hummers come into range, I fire off a burst ... Of course, I have my lens hood on (gotta keep this on topic .. !!) ... :-)

[Lea]

I like your method, I too shoot hummers in this way, wish other creatures would be so acomodating! LOL

[Jack Tattersall]

Do the Hummers go by your deck in convoy or one at a time? :O)

[Lea]

there's a whole flock of em at times at my house.. Amazing they don't bump into one another. LOL Wow they are fast tho.. and camera shy. The ones we have here in Washington are very small, and they love to buzz (dive bomb) your head when you get too close to their nests in the trees. I'll hunt and seek some of the photos I've taken, but have to wait till after Friday.. going into surgery so will be out of it for a bit. (how's that for going off subject) LOL

[Jack Tattersall]

Good luck with the surgery, Lea, and I look forward to seeing your hummer photos. We do not have them in England.

[Lea]

Thank you so much I'll hunt and seek for them.. They are intrequing little creatures. Bye for now happy shooting