 Laura J. Smith |
Lens Hood vs Lens Filters Bet you can't tell I'm a novice by this question!! Does a lens hood negate the need for a lens filter? All I know is that a hood cuts out some glare, yes? Is it useful to use it outside all the time? Use it everywhere all the time? Also, assuming that one would use filters all the time with the hood as well, would I use a polarizing filter all the time outdoors instead of the standard filter that prevents dust and protects the lens. I'm confused and I can't find it in the digital photo books I just got from the library. Thank you!
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Jon Close |
Lens hoods and the filters have different purposes - the only overlap is a secondary purpose of protection. A lens hood shields the front element from stray light and bright sources outside the field of view that can cause flare and ghosting. Filters are used for changing the nature of the light entering the lens (adjust color, block certain wavelengths, polarize the rays, etc.) Filters can often contribute to lens flare because they add more reflective surfaces, so it is common to use a lens hood and filter together. A lens hood can/should be used at all times, even indoors. However, depending on its size and the size/location of your flash, it can interfere with the light from a flash, causing shadows. A polarizer should not be used outdoors all the time, only when the situation calls for it - such as when desiring to eliminate reflections on water or in glass windows, or at certain times of the day it can deepen the blue of the sky and saturate colors. It has little or no effect when the light is diffuse on heavy overcast days.
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- Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Contact Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Shirley D. Cross-Taylor's Gallery |
Jon is right about everything except the use of the polarizer on overcast days. When foliage is damp, the polarizer can eliminate reflections and increase color saturation. Just remember: Whenever you're using a polarizer, turn it slowly until you see the effect you want through the lens. It will also enhance the colors of a rainbow.
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Jon Close |
D'oh! I forgot about using polarizer with rainbows. I stand corrected. Thanks, Shirley.
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David Freed |
I'd only add that many people use a lens adapter with a UV or haze filter, mainly for protecting the lens from dust, dirt, and damage. In this case, it's probably acting more like a hood than a lense.
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Richard P. Crowe |
I use a polarizer for many of my shots and use some type of filter (such as a UV) all the time to protect the glass in my lens. It's cheaper to replace a scratched filter than an entire lens. I also use a lens shade ALL the time to prevent any glare (and it also helps protect the lens). Two tips: First, buy a filter of quality commensurate with the quality of your lens. It is silly to put a two dollar piece of glass in front of an excellent lens and equally silly to pay $50 for a filter to put on a cheapo lens. Secondly, if you desire to use a polarizer and a lens shade, make sure that they are compatible. As an example, the factory Canon lens shade for the 28-135mm IS lens cannot be effectively used with a polarizing filter (this is right out of the lens manual and has to do with being unable to physically rotate the filter with the lens hood attached).
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Laura J. Smith |
Thank you all, this is great info - way more clear than what I've gathered in pieces from reading.
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Scott Pedersen |
I started using a circular polorizer this spring and have to remove my hood to turn it. Its a good idea if you can leave the hood on if you can to keep the end of the lens from being banged around. According to the instructions with my lens (Tamron) it can get in the way of some on camera flashes. It don't bother on my camereas but myabe a popup flash it would cause problems.
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