first impressions D100

[f8lee]

Posted by Mike Pieklo (Peke) on Wednesday, December 03, 2003 - 9:08 pm:

What are your opinions regarding using lens hoods...

Generally speaking, it is usually considered a good idea to use the lens hood. The most obvious value in hoods appears with wide angle lenses, where they can help reduce or eliminate lens flare. However, even telephoto lenses pointed at subjects with the sun "behind" or "next to" the camera can benefit from the use of a lens hood - contrast is improved thanks to the reduction in ambient light that can impinge on the front optic.

A very secondary consideration is that a hood could prevent some damage if you accidently "bonk" the front of the lens into a wall or something, but that is not the reason that pros use them, or for that matter, why lens manufacturers include them. I mean, think about it - if Canon or Nikon or Sigma or whomever could reduce the retial price by $20 by eliminating the hood, don't you think they'd do it?

BobF

 

[carminephoto]

Bob Fately is right on the money. DITTO.
Rollo

 

[gjames52]

Mike

<What are your opinions regarding using lens hoods>

One of the first photographs I ever made with a 35mm camera was of Cliff Place in Mesa Verde National Park located in Colorado, I sure wish I had a lens hood then. The very next stop in Durango I purchased one. Today I was at an indoor dog show and I also used my lens hood.

I even purchased the Pro hood for my Hasselblad.

To me it is a shame to spoil a once in a lifetime shot because not using a lens hood. I hope this helps.

Regards

Gilbert

 

[nele]

Can I hear comments about the "best shoemount flash" for the D100? My SB-26 is falling apart (but --with loads of sticky tape-- still working just fine with the film camera) since I fell on top of it, so I guess I'll have to invest and I'd like one that is most compatible with the D100, since it's my new baby.

 

[f90x]

>Depending on your power needs you can use any Nikon flash with the DX ending. Non DX don't support all flash functions of the camera.

 

[nele]

Lens hoods are also great for protection. I have a major dink in the = filter thread of a long lens from police night-stick attack during a = demo in a dictatorship --- wish I'd had a hood on it! I've also gone = thru oodles of UV filters from dashed to pieces, but no real damage to = lenses. Both offer many protections... But I agree, hoods are most warranted on wide-angles. Especially if = back-lighting is attractive to you. =20

 

[f90x]

>A hood on any lens regardless the focal length helps a lot to boost contrast.

 

[k_michael]

Dx Flashes are mandatory for D100 and all Nikon digital if you want proper flash exposure. The anti alias filiter that sits in front of the SONY CCD causes reflectivy problems with non DX flashes such as the SB28. This si the reason why I went with the Fuji S2. Fuji's Super CCD does not have this filter. Threfore, any Nikon flash will work with this camera. Plus, with the proper SCA adapter, I can also use my Metz 45CT5 as well. This photo was taken with the S2 and Metz combination.

 

[bobar57]

Bob Fately is right.I posted based on my experience.I don't use zooms, just prime lenses and my approach had served me right so far. Regarding protection against damage of the lens, I found UV or Skylight filters appropiates to do the job, besides are far inexpensives than Nikon metal hoods.

 

[huck]

A lens hood, as mentioned by numerous others, serves a multitude of purposes. I use a lens hood most of the time and it does minimize unanticipated flare/glare from being picked up by the lens elements or filter elements, assists with contrast and is a great buffer between some damaging element and your lens surface. My lens hood saved my 28-80mm f2.8 lens from dying a horrible death, when I was shooting a low angle shot on a slope when a dog ran up and brushed the tripod. Needless to say, the tripod and camera (which were flipped for a vertical orientation) were knocked over. Gravity took over and caused the lens to swing toward the ground and the whole assembly landed directly on the lens. My lens was saved, but the lens hood took the brunt of the blow and was cracked in two places. Total cost of lens hood replacement was $20.00, as opposed to $1000+ for a new f2.8 lens. I can't tell you enough how many times the lens hood has saved my lens from damage, scratches and debris when shooting. If you use a lens cap to protect your lens, consider using the lens hood as protection when the lens cap is off. Remember, always practice safe photography. ;o)

Dave see me (Huck) at www.nikonians.org