a reconsideration of lens hoods

[epatsellis]

here's a perfect example of a built in hood being not quite enough (in this case a Sigma 14mm). This was a quick grab shot at ankle height while racing to the car, those fearsome clouds let loose a hellish torrent about 45 seconds after shooting this. Had I the time, I would have shaded the globe shaped front element better.

[Bambi]

so here's a newbie question about lens hoods:

what is the difference between ones that look like a cone and those that look like a flower? does it matter?

[Fortytwo]

The flower petal ones work better. They 'hug' the edges of the frame and protect better against flares. However, in order to work, the front element must not rotate! If it does, the hood will get into the picture. So lenses which turn the front element to focus usually have cone type hoods. It allows rotation without the hood entering the field of view...

[Wicked Dark]

In general one sees the 'flower petal' type on zoom lenses with a wide angle end. The cone ones are generally seen on fixed wide angle lenses (or sometimes wide angle zooms), and tube shaped ones on fixed telephoto lenses or telephoto zooms. Think about the angle of view the lens is capable of and then you'll see how they match up in shape. I have quite a collection, but often forget to use them.