is a lens hood required

[sheldonc]

Hi

I hope i'm leaving this question in the correct forum

I recently was given a 35mm lens for my Nikon D90 and was quite surprised that it didn't come with a lens hood but is an optional extra. Do I need it or just in certain conditions?

Thanks in advance for your replies

Sheldon

[RichardTaylor]

It is not an absolute necessity, however it comes in very handy when shooting into the light to possibly reduce flare. Also helps keep fingers off the front of the lens.

Example of flare - the orange glow on the bottom right - and I always use a lens hood.

[sheldonc]

Thanks

I normally do too - but I guess if I use it in low light then its irrelevent

[Dan A]

I have a few lenses with lens hoods, have not used the lens hood yet and I am shooting sunrise landscapes. It is supposed to stop flare and such in certain conditions, it can also help protect the lens.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

It is not an absolute necessity, however it comes in very handy when shooting into the light to possibly reduce flare. Also helps keep fingers off the front of the lens.

Example of flare - the orange glow on the bottom right - and I always use a lens hood.

I was trying to figure out what was causing that light but realized it was headlights of the car behind.

[RichardTaylor]

It was the last race of the day & I was shooting at ISO 3200.
Bit hard to control; it with lights like that.