Simple questions - I hope

Mystery57

Mystery57

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Andrew
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Is it recommended to use a Lens Hood on all lenses, in addition to a filter protecting the lens, or are there some lens which should not have one.

What are the obvious benefits of a Hood ?

My 650D has built in sensors obviously - is there any benefit to using an external lightmeter, or should the camera be sufficient in itself ?


As I said simple questions - but I dont know the answers !


cheers
Andrew
 
A hood protects agains extraneous light but certainly adds as protection for the lens as well.

I know many who recommend use of a light meter and while I can appreciate it's more accurate to use one, the simply fact of the matter is that it isn't always practical. I have never used a handheld light meter in my life!!!


Hope this helps :)
 
Last edited:
1) Some very specialist lenses have their own in-built hood (eg Zeiss Distagon 15mm f2.8), otherwise most lenses should be used with a hood.
2) I wouldn't bother with a protection filter, they degrade image quality and unless you're somewhere with very harsh conditions I wouldn't bother, the hood will offer protection and front elements are very resilient anyway.
3) Hoods reduce flare across the lens which in turn can help with contrast, they also offer protection to the lens from knocks and bumps
4) Your camera's in-built meter will be enough for 99% of things. There are specialist applications where an external meter is handy, using studio flashes for example where a flashmeter makes things much quicker and more accurate, I use a spotmeter for confirming filter strengths in landscape photography etc.
 
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