Canon 50mm f1.8. Should i buy a lens hood?

scottduffy

scottduffy

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I have been told by a couple of people I have spoken with that I don't need the lens hood for this lens as much as I would need one for other lenses and I am not sure why. Could anyone tell me if this is correct or should I go and buy a hood?
 
Because the glass is already quite recessed in the body. However, it does add an extra layer of protection for both the lens and more importantly, the body should it take a tumble.

Graham
 
Thanks Graham. That's what i was told. Will the hood improve the photo's though or just provide protection?
 
There may be circumstances where stray light might enter the lens from the side and reduce contrast or worse. I guess if Canon make a hood, it is for good reason.

Graham
 
I had one, didn't really notice much of a difference but I have all my lenses with hoods just in case (and on others it does make a difference.

If you use a uv or protection filter the hood will make a big difference to flare and loss of contrast as the front element (now the filter) is no longer recessed
 
Hi. I have used the NF for about 12 months now, both with and without a hood. I can honestly say that I cannot see any difference in IQ in either. However, there has been an occasion or two that I have bashed the lens (I take the camera on the hills etc) and if I didn't have the hood on then the lens would have taken the brunt of the damage. I havn't managed to break the hood yet, but as it was second hand, and not a Canon original, it would not be a big loss! Cheaper than a new lens though! So, yes, it probably is best to get a hood for your nifty-fifty.
 
Hi. I use a screw in Hoya rubber hood on my 50, not so much to prevent stray light but to protect from physical damage. If you do bash the lens with a rigid plastic hood on the shock is still transmitted to the lens, the rubber ones will absorb the shock. also the rubber ones can easily be folded back on themselves for storage.
however I don't think either is really required on a Canon 50 owing to the recessed front element.
 
Only problem with that lens is that if you use the Canon hood, you can't fit a filter on. So its one or the other!
 
I have a 50mm 1.8 with a UV filter. I bought a lens hood off eBay for £2.99 + £1.99 postage (from China). It fitted with the filter on and does offer physical protection. I cant say I have noticed any difference in the IQ though. Not as good a quality hood as a genuine Canon ES 52 but it does the job and is quite sturdy.
 
There's really no point. As said, it's quite deep anyway. The lens is only £70 new so it's not even worth it for protection.
 
Hi Joe, yeah the ES-62 is for the 50. I just picked one up off ebay for about 4 quid. It was the only lens I have that didn't have one and as I've recently removed my UV filters for shooting (and improved IQ that way) I thought I'd better get one. Don't know if the hood will improve IQ but it's improved the safety of it and my peace of mind.
 
I should think if you dropped the 50 1.8 it would die whether it had a lens hood or not! I personally never bothered buying one, and never bothered with a filter with it either.
 
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