 Samantha Robinson |
Which Brand for Lens Hood? I'm in the market to get a hood for my Canon Rebel Xsi kit lens (18-55mm) and also one for the 55-250 lens that I own. I would rather not spend a lot of money on them as I don't plan to keep using the kit lens forever. However, I don't want a cheapie one that doesn't work properly or that's a pain to use. So what's a good middle-ground brand? Thanks!
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Lynn R. Powers |
Purchase the one sold by Canon that is designed for the lens. There are very few third-party manufacturers that make lens shades for the various cameras and lenses. Most of them are the screw-in type. However, there are rubber lens hoods that I do use when using a CPL. This enables me to turn the polarizer and have a lens shade on at the same time. With the hard lens shade, it is troublesome to set the polarizer where needed and then reattach the lens hood. It screws into the front of the filter. The rubber lens shades do not give as much protection to the lens as the hard ones do. They, rubber, are also good for shooting through windows and aquariums. By placing, without squashing them, against the glass all the reflections in the glass are eliminated. Do not pooh-pooh your "kit" lens. It is better and more useful than given credit for. The only lens I would replace it with is the 15-85mm.
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
As to the kit lens, I guess everyone has to experiment for themselves--but in my own personal experience, I can only count it as trash. But, actually, it was a good experience! It was my first lens and I tried everything with it, in all kinds of light, all kinds of settings for months... and simply could not even approach the quality that other people with better lens were getting. But that bad quality really pushed me to try everything, and that was good for me. Yes, I was a newbie but I'm sure that's not why the quality was so bad. I kept some unedited photos from way back then, and went back occasionally to see if my increased skills in Photoshop could salvage a couple that I liked, but to no avail. That said, I do have some photos at the back of my gallery from that time which are okay, but almost no closeups.
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Samantha Robinson |
Thank you, Lynn and Susan for your advice. While I don't view my kit lens as trash (and I don't plan to ever sell it!), it's definitely not the best lens. I do, however want to protect it and thus the hood question. The rubber lens hood sounds intriguing. Perhaps I'll look into those as well. Susan: I've used my kit lens for close-ups and managed to get good results about 50% of the time. It really does push you to do the best with what you have. I love my zoom lens for close-ups too. While it's not the best quality either, I get some nice bokeh on occasion and it's fun to use. Thanks again!
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Lynn R. Powers |
Susan and Samantha, Kit lenses are not designed for close ups. Especially at wide angle. That is user error and not the lens. Every zoom lens has its sweet spot. Do you realize that when you shoot at 55mm you have lost a stop and a half of available light? Not very good for chasing kids around the living room for photos. At 18mm close up everything will be distorted. It is a general purpose lens not an all purpose lens. When using your 55-250 for close ups you will have to be at least 6 feet away, preferably 8 feet. Your shutter speed if hand held should be 1/800". You may have to up your ISO considerably to obtain that speed depending upon the lighting situation and your DOF will only be a couple inches. It is better to use a tripod with a remote release and a lower ISO and longer shutter speed. Otherwise you will get blurred photos. Smaller f stops are also recommended which means a higher ISO. There are laws of physics in play here and so far they are written in stone and cannot be broken. Perhaps in the 25th century we can bend them a bit. :=)
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Samantha Robinson |
Lynn, Yeah, through trial and error, I've discovered that kit lenses are really not good for close-ups but they'll do in a pinch (esp. if it's all I have!) but someday I will own a 35mm or a 55mm... I actually like shooting with the 55-250 better and sure, I have to be farther back (usually the 8 feet like you mentioned) but I've managed to get some "decent" shots. I just have to work with what I have for now while I save up for nicer/better lenses. After I get the hoods, I'm going to invest in a nice remote release so I can get crisp, clear shots more often than not. Thanks again for your words of wisdom!
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- Kenneth De Pree Contact Kenneth De Pree Kenneth De Pree's Gallery |
I have Fotodiox hoods for all my Canon lenses that I purchased at Amazon. Good quality at a very good price, a fraction of what Canon charges. I highly recommend them, not just because of the price, but because of the value for a fair price.
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Samantha Robinson |
Ken, Thanks! I found this one which would be perfect for my 55-250mm: http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Dedicated-Bayonet-75-300mm-55-250mm/dp/B002K40R6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1307484854&sr=8-1 But can't seem to find one specifically for the 18-55mm kit lens. Thanks for your helpful suggestion
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Sorry to have gotten off topic here--actually, I have really wanted to get a rubber hood myself and may do so soon. Yes, you're right, Lynn and Samantha. I was looking back at my gallery and realized that there were quite a few landscape and city shots taken with that lens that are all right, though almost no closeups. I guess I responded rashly remembering my terrible disappointment and frustration those first months after investing in a DSLR, thinking that if it could focus on something, it should take a good picture (I was SO longing for beautiful macros when I bought my camera). For the longest time I thought it was a matter of skill and I kept thinking it would get better, but it didn't. I had gotten a Sigma 70-300 that was okay, but life never became very sweet until I got my Canon 100-400 L which I wouldn't trade for anything. To me that was proof that it's "all in the glass". However, I will also say that I was very surprised to find a significant difference in quality when upgrading to a better camera--and it wasn't just a matter of pixels. I'm not sure WHAT it is, but there is a clear difference in quality between pictures of the same thing with the same lens with my Rebel and my Canon 50D. I don't know, perhaps it IS more pixels. Anyway, sorry to trash your (and my!) 18-55mm kit lens so rudely---I was just remembering the intense disappointment of those days.
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
I love my kit lens, the Nikor 18-55 mm.
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Samantha Robinson |
Susan, I can understand your frustrations and disappointment though! And it's good to know that it's not always the camera or the glass... sometimes it's both! :) I'm looking to upgrade to the 60D eventually, though that's still a long ways out for me. I love macro photography. I have always loved doing close-ups in nature, particularly flowers. I even did "close-ups" with my Canon A530 and managed to get some decent ones with that. That's when people would tell me that I had talent though I don't think I always believed them! (I'm my worst critic)
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Samantha, I have an Opteka 77mm rubber lens hood that screws in like a circular filter and fits all my lenses. It is great for shooting through glass (keeping reflections down) and the hood collapses down nicely to fit a 1 inch thick slot in my camera pack. You can probably buy 3 different sized of these for the same price as the Canon one made for your lens. My .02, Carlton
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Samantha Robinson |
Thanks, Carlton!! :)
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- Kenneth De Pree Contact Kenneth De Pree Kenneth De Pree's Gallery |
Samantha, it is listed. http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-08-HD-EW-60c-Lens-Hood-Canon/dp/B002K3Z3DO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1308270712&sr=8-2 Same one I have on my 18-55 lens
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- Kenneth De Pree Contact Kenneth De Pree Kenneth De Pree's Gallery |
If you have any problem with the link, search Amazon for Fotodiox 08-HD-EW-60c Lens Hood for Canon EF-S USM The price is 70 cents. It doesn't say canon 18-55, but that is the lens hood for that camera. If you read the customer reviews, you will see that they say it is for the 18-55.
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Samantha Robinson |
Thanks, Ken! It's on my Amazon wish list and I'm sure I'll be ordering it soon!
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
Glad you still like the 100-400L, Susan... ;-)
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Was the best investment I've ever made! Still thanking you!
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