Hoods offer several benefits to the photographer. Primarily the hood shades the lens from stray light that may result in an unwanted discoloration or hazing of the image, or the appearance of lens flare. Shading your lens helps improve contrast and image quality. A hood is not required to eliminate these problems, as any item used to shade the lens will provide the same protection from stray light. The hood is convenient in that it is built to offer protection while ensuring that it will not inadvertently find its way into your image.
Photographers often state the protective abilities of a hood as a reason to have one. This hood being a solid petal shaped offers limited protection from keeping moisture and wind blown debris off the from lens element. When in place, the hood can protect the lens from impacting solid objects. Being shallow and petal shaped, this type of protection is also limited. Even if the protection is limited, replacing a damaged hood is usually cheaper than repairing the lens and easier to replace.
This hood is manufactured for the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom and normally is not included with the lens when sold new. Amazon often suggests purchasing one with your lens, and is worth considering.
Since the hood is wider than the lens; it can easily be stored attached in a reverse position. This doesn't add to the length of the lens, but does make it wider by about an inch. An inch may not seem like a lot, but in a tightly packed camera bag, it is huge. This lens itself isn't unusually wide so the extra inch may not be a problem.
While the protective benefits exist, they are secondary and limited. I find the impact the hood has on my image quality to be the more convincing reason to use a hood. Considering the impact on image quality and the low cost as compared to my other camera equipment (except for a lens case), purchasing a hood is money well spent.
PROS:
Improves contrast and image quality
Reduces lens flare problems
Offers limited protection to the lens
CONS:
Takes up more space in your camera bag to store with the lens Canon EW78BII Lens Hood for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Canon SLR Lens
Pros:
- Reduces flare and ghosting when shooting in bright light.
- Helps protect your lens from dirt and scratches.
- Somewhat protects the lens in case of a fall. Better to break the hood than the front element.
- Makes you look more like you know what you are doing and helps keep others from carelessly walking in front of you.
Cons:
- Will increase lens movement in windy situations, kind of like a sail on a boat.
- Takes up more room in your bag, even when reversed they still add to the diameter of the lens.
- People take more notice of you, will help to blow your cover if you are trying to keep a low profile.
I just recently got this lens hood and took it out to a park to try it out. I thought my EF 28-135 took good shots before... I was pleasantly surprised at the results of using this relatively cheap add-on. In a bright environment lens flare can be present in a subtle way, taking out some shadow depth and "bleaching" out a shot. This hood helps prevent that and really had an impact on my shots.
The hood itself is well built, made of high end plastics and the inside has a soft fabric coating to absorb light and protect your lens. It locks onto the front of the lens quickly and is easily removed when not wanted. You can also use this hood in conjunction with a lens filter, so you don't have to compromise between the two.
Again, you can't beat the bang for buck value here.
This lens hood does it jobs as advertise. Many good points: Block light, Sturdy construction, felt liner for anti-reflect, look good, ...
One very bad point: If the Circular Polarized Filter is to use, then there is a serious problem to rotate the filter if this lens hood is attached.
Canon make this hood. Canon make the Circular Polarized Filter for this particular lens too. Canon did not think the combination of these two together in their design.
As I stated in my review of the 28-135mm IS USM lens, this Lens Hood is a must. Surprising, the quality of the hood surpasses its relatively inexpensive price.
The interior felt tended to pick/up some unwanted debris, but I found a good Oral B tooth brush (no floss needed) to fix the problems. Hey, we live in a filthy world!
The only real negative I will mention: not one Camera store in NYC stocks the Lens Hood. There I was with a piece of cardboard in my hand trying to block out the sun - looked real Photo 101. I recommend getting the Lens Hood if you plan on purchasing the 28-135mm while on vacation, etc.
Original lense hood is worth of money compared to cheaper copies. Difference is in inner surface of the hood. Black velvet will not reflect light at all. If you are not picky with that feature, go for cheaper ones. - Photography - 28-135mm - Canon - Canon Lens Hood'
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