What is a lens hood for and how to choose it

The vast majority of modern lens hoods are made of plastic. Earlier specimens were often poured out of metal, which, on the one hand, adds strength and reliability to them, and on the other hand, makes the entire lens structure heavier. Metal hoods are still found today: for example, one of the most famous and reputable optics manufacturing companies, Zeiss, is not at all shy about using various alloys in the design of attachments for lenses.

In addition, there are also rubber hoods, the main advantages of which are flexibility and the ability to change the size by partially or fully deploying the lens attachment. The advantages of rubber hoods pale in comparison to their unreliability — sooner or later such a design will definitely break, especially with intensive use.

Structurally, blends are divided into three main types:

1. Petal — designed for wide-angle optics, as well as medium-focus lenses (35-100 mm). This type gets its name from the shape of the front of the hood, which resembles flower petals. The size of the petals is directly proportional to the focal length of the lens, i.e. the smaller it is, the smaller the maximum length of the lens hood construction. If you do not adhere to the size, at the widest angle in the field of view of the lens, the edges of the petals will be partially visible.

2. Cylindrical or cone -shaped — both variations are sharpened for use in tandem with medium and long-focus optics(approximately 55-100 mm and above). But they are not suitable for wide-angle lenses at all. For example, if you hang one of these types of lens hoods on a lens with a focal length of 18 mm, the edges of the image will be subject to significant vignetting.

The difference between the cone-shaped type and the cylindrical one is the expansion of the lens hood diameter closer to its far edge. Nevertheless, both types are functionally similar to each other and effectively cope with their obligations.

It is also worth noting that cylindrical hoods are the only true option that is suitable for installation on optics with a rotating front lens.

3. Square or Rectangular — Designed for ultra-wide optics and designed to keep the edges of the lens hood out of the frame.

It would seem, what is a simple lens attachment made in the form of a single piece of plastic, metal or rubber capable of? It turns out that she took on as many as three important functions:

1. Protection against stray glare and reflections

Actually, it is for these purposes that the hood is intended. The rest of its functions are secondary.

The lens attachment is designed in such a way as to protect the front lens from parasitic glare and reflections, which are called “bunnies” in the common people. Their appearance is caused by oblique light rays from bright light sources (the sun, car headlights, lighting equipment in concert halls, etc.). The lens hood cuts out unwanted light and allows you to increase the contrast of the image, ridding it of haze or haze when shooting in backlit conditions.

2. Ability to shoot in adverse weather conditions

The second function of the lens hood is to protect the front lens of the lens from precipitation in the form of raindrops or snowflakes, which allows you to shoot in adverse weather conditions.

This use case should not be abused, except that your camera and lens are just waterproof, like Pentax K-3 II body or Tamron 35mm f/1.8 SP VC USD Di from 24 500 up to 44 895 ₴.

3. Protection of the front lens of the lens from mechanical impact

Among other things, the lens hood acts as a passive protection of the lens from mechanical impact. Those. when the optics fall with the front lens down, the lens hood will take all the force of impact on the surface. Agree, a new attachment will cost much less than buying a lens.

In addition to the drop protection function, the lens hood also helps to protect the front lens of the lens from fingerprints — they simply will not touch it, leaving poorly rubbed stains.

Some lens hoods also have a bonus protection option. Its meaning is to protect against dust getting inside the lens. For example, Canon representatives have a rough surface on the inside of the lens hood, which attracts dust onto itself and prevents it from reaching the front lens.

Finally, you should pay attention to the differences in the types of fastening of the hoods:

bayonet type — similar to the principles of attaching a lens to a camera, i.e. it is usually enough to put the hood on the front of the lens and fix it by turning it at an angle of 90 °; this type also allows you to turn the hood into a transport position, in which it completely wraps around the lens body;

universal type — screwed into the thread for filters, while maintaining the ability to install the latter, but not on the front lens of the lens, but in the thread of the lens hood itself;

latch type — is worn either on the front of the lens, or on its “trunk” (retractable part) and is fixed on it with a special latch located on the lens hood body.

Perhaps the only drawback when using a lens hood is the possibility of a shadow appearing on part of the image if the scene being shot is illuminated by the built-in flash. This is especially pronounced when paired with wide-angle optics. There are no such problems with an external flash.

In most cases, a lens hood comes with the lens. But if it so happens that this useful accessory is not included in the package, it will not be superfluous to purchase it — you won’t spend a lot of money, but you can greatly simplify your shooting in bright backlight conditions, and also get additional protection for the lens from the effects of weather conditions and mechanical influences.