A lens hood decreases flare, increases contrast and provides terrific impact protection. Depending on circumstances, especially when shooting near a bright light source (the sun, spotlights, even fluorescent lights sneaking into the edge of the frame) the lens hood can help block light from scattering inside the lens barrel and creating flare.
I had almost the exact same thing happen to me. I was walking along a sidewalk and my camera with a 70-200 f/2.8L IS II slipped off my shoulder and smashed into the concrete. The lens hood split, but the camera and lens were completely undamaged.
A lens hood is not something that will give better results if you use the original or a 3rd party. The real concern is whether the image will vignette at the minimum FL end.
I always get better results with a lens hood. I'm always outdoors.I have a few lenses that are useless without them. I like the reversible bayonet type best. I have no excuse not to use them, even with filters.
Buying OE will ensure that the hood is optimized for your lens. You'll notice that most hoods, especially on tele-zooms have a 'petal' shape; if the 3rd party has the identical shape, fine but if it's generic, you may run into vignetting, etc.
All of the telephoto zoom lenses that I have owned (about eight, including a Canon 100-400mm MkI) have had normal cylindrical hoods. It has been the shorter focal length zooms that go to wide angles that have had petal shaped hoods.
I would send it in and have it checked I thought my 100-400 was good after it fell off my black rapid strap it took a couple of outings for me to notice the AF hit rate with that lens was off. Had to have the AF lens group and IS replaced total cost 700.00 the lens did not have a scratch on it but the shock of hitting the ground still messed it up.
Actually, no, the first generation 100-400 lens hood did not have a hole in it to adjust a filter.
I never shoot this lens w/o the lens hood! For one, yes it will increase contrast. The element is out front with no shade whatsoever so any extraneous light hitting it will reduce contrast and potentially cause flare.
+1. Not to mention a rubber hood will do nothing to protect the lens from a bump or, worse, a drop. I speak from experience, having dropped a mounted 80-400mm lens mounted lens-first onto asphalt. The plastic hood took the impact, absorbed it, and no damage to the lens at all. One of the mounting ribs on the hood was chipped, but it still mounted and all was good. I can imagine with a collapsible rubber hood the impact would have been directed directly through the lens and I would not have been so lucky.
so do the Sony in the similar range, the same for the Canon 70-200mm . I think it has to do with the 70mm start.
