How to Use a Camera Lens Hood

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Example of lens flare

Lens hoods are used to keep stray light out of your lens. Stray light can cause lens flare and, occasionally, can do harm to your camera or your film. Lens hoods are Ideal for when it is extremely sunny outside; this is really the only time you will ever "need" a lens hood.
Step 2

Example of indoor lens flare

Nightlife photographers often use lens hoods to keep out stray stage and club lights.
Step 3

Some enthusiasts prefer to use lens hoods all the time because stray light can occur in unlikely places.

Step 1

size and manufacture on front of lens

To find a lens hood that fits your camera lens, you will need to know the size and the manufacturer of your lens. Note: Sometimes, the manufacturer of your lens can be different from you camera. The size and manufacturer should be clearly stated on the side and/ or front of the lens. If you can't find that information, an expert at a camera store should be able to help.
Step 2

35mm and manufacture infromation on side of lens

In the United States, camera lens sizes, marked on the lens, are measured by millimeters. Some common sizes are 35 mm, 50 mm and 100 mm. Now that you know the size of your lens you should be able to go to your local camera store or shop online and know that a 35 to 135 mm lens hood will fit your 55 mm lens. A lens hood sized at 75 to 135 mm will not work on a 35 mm lens.
Step 3

Let's talk about manufacturers. If you have a 35 mm Canon or Nikon lens, a 35-135mm lens hood by the same manufacturer definitely will fit. But if you are on a budget, companies such as Sigma, Tamron and Tokina (to name a few) make lens hoods that are cheaper that should fit bigger-name cameras. Try these lens hoods in person before buying online.

Step 1

"flower" shaped lens hood

There are two styles of lens hoods. The most common is the "flower " or "tulip" shape. This shape is the most user-friendly, because you can use it on both telephoto and wide-angle lenses without it obstructing the lens or causing vignetting.
Step 2

The second style is the "round" lens hood, which is used in extremely bright situations. This style does not have the slits on the side that the flower style does. The round lens hood does a better job of keeping the light out, but it will create vignetting when used with a wide-angle lens. Some photographers do prefer to use a round hood because of the vignetting, whether for portraits or artistic effect.
Step 3

Example of vignetting

Vignetting is a shadow on the border of photographs.

Step 1

Camera with lens hood

This is the easiest part. As long as you have the right size lens hood, it should just screw on to the front of your lens.
Step 2

To remove your lens hood, gently twist it to the left.
Step 3

If for some reason you have trouble mounting your lens hood, double-check that you don't have any adapter rings or other accessories on your lens.

Step 1

When shooting with a lens hood, there is no need to do anything differently. The lens hood is there to block out stray light; it will not affect your aperture, ISO or shutter speed setting.
Step 2

Once you get used to your lens hood, you may notice that your outdoor and even indoor shots appear sharper. Take before and after shots with your lens hood on and off to see the difference.
Step 3

Try new things or play with vignetting. Lens hoods aren't something to be afraid of.