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POLL: Do you use a lens shade?

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The only time I don't is when using the 60mm Micro without a filter because the front element is recessed so far back it basically has a built-in shade. A shade will reduce the amount of scattered (non-image) light that hits the fron element. Scattered light on the front element will lower contrast in an image.
 
What a poll! Everyone uses shades!

Well, for a change, I has never used it, but--looking at all these responses--I guess I should have.

Serge
 
I allways use a lens hood. To prevent flare, but also to protect my front lens element!

I really don't see a reason not to use it...

Oh yes, now I think of it: when the build-in flash of my D100/F80 is used. It causes vignetting. But only then!
(No problem on the F5 though... ;-)

Cheers,
Patrick
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.

TIA,
rich
Click to expand...
 
Most of the time I'd use one. Only rarely has flair added a desired effect to my images. I have had some wonderful flair from an old Leica Elmar 50mm offering an atmosphere to my image of streaming light that was amazing. It was not previsualized since the Leica F was a viewfinder camera and therefore not a product of my creative eye. I have also had some nice effects with a 24mm prime, previsualized on an SLR. Too often the appearance of the lens apature in flair is offensive and determined. I have used the Photoshop flair and found it unconvincing but ok for tv still graphics.
mobydog said:
If you want flare, Photshop does a pretty good job of it, plus you
can control it. Also, using a hood virtually eliminates
reflection from the front lens element.

Using a lens without a hood feels very strange if you're used to
using one. A bit like driving without a seatbelt.
Click to expand...
 
Whenever possible.

The only exceptions are if I'm using a filter, and the lens shade is difficult or impossible to put on. As I use Cokin sized P filters, and don't always want to mess with the square shade, I may not always use one.

That said it's easy to tell with digital if one is needed. If it is, and you do not own one, hands, or a chunk of cardboard often does the trick!

Ron
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.

TIA,
rich
Click to expand...
 
When I take the camera from the bag, I have the hood backward, so unless I really need a quick shot, I always turn it and use it normally. It's good protection when the camera swings around your neck or shoulder.
Ron Frank said:
The only exceptions are if I'm using a filter, and the lens shade
is difficult or impossible to put on. As I use Cokin sized P
filters, and don't always want to mess with the square shade, I may
not always use one.

That said it's easy to tell with digital if one is needed. If it
is, and you do not own one, hands, or a chunk of cardboard often
does the trick!

Ron
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.

TIA,
rich
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I wish I had a rubber lens shade for all my lenses. I have one on a 75mm for a Mamiya Universal and it seems that it would absorb bumps. That is the only lens I have ever purchased that came with a rubber shade.
 
...in order to use (from time to time) a polarizing filter on my 19 mm. converter (for CP5000), I ordered from Bernie a 72 mm. lens shade, on wich I can screw my filter ! It works great... I live it all the time on... hoping it'll protect the lens...

Cheers,
Jean-Pierre
Geneva, Switzerland
http://www.pbase.com/scherrer
 
I almost always use one during the day outdoors.

Indoors and at night I use one if there are light sources that might affect the picture adversely.

With the lens hood, I got some really good shots that would've had to much flaring from the Sun otherwise.
--
-----Bear
 
Almost always. I think its especially important with todays zoom lenses with many lens elements. If you take a look you will see that most professionals always uses lens hoods. For them its also a way of protecting their often abused gear.
--
http://www.pbase.com/interactive
 
Yes on all my tel zooms, but no on my shorter lenses because they tend to not be with the lens (Tels have the shade on the stored barrel.) But of course the zoom wide angles need them the most. I compensate when possible by shooting with the lens in the shade.
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.

TIA,
rich
Click to expand...
--
Ken Eis
 
Rich,

You almost answered your own question.

I use a lens shade at all times. I've had indoor light/lamps cause flare when I was starting out but learned over the years that a lens shade is very important.

...Jim
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.

TIA,
rich
Click to expand...
--
All these toys and so little $$$
 
they don't weigh much and provide some flare protection.

-
http://pbase.com/ottokalata
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.
Click to expand...
 
I'll start using mine!!! I've never used one, I have many just lying around...

Thanks for the advise!
rich
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?

I typically don't use one, but I wish I did this past weekend.. A
bad sun flare ruined a otherwise nice picture.

TIA,
rich
Click to expand...
 
I have the screw-in lens shade for my 85mm, and i haven't taken it off in weeks, not even to put the lens cap on... It gives plenty of protection in and out of the camera bag.

No reason not to use them if you've got it.
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?
Click to expand...
--
Christopher Gooley
http://www.thegooley.com
 
Rich P. said:
Just wondering how many people use a lens shade. If you do, under
what circumstances do you use one?
Click to expand...
Always. And by the 1.5 crop factor e.g. I do use a more long hood for my lenses, than the original hoods. E.g. for my 18-35 mm I do use a rubber shade that I did cut exactly to the size it shall not vignetting.

--
Leon Obers
 
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