Why u need a lens hood ? --- >>>click me



Well, you are not required to use one, but if there are some very good reasons to do so.

So, what good is the hood?

-to prevent light from hitting the front lens element from the sides - reducing contrast and creating flare. Pictures taken with a lens hood installed will generally have richer colors, deeper saturation.

-to protect the lens. The damage prevented can range from a finger-printed front element (a minor inconvenience) to a broken lens (possibly a major expense - and lost pictures). Lens hoods are generally strong and stick out from the lens some distance. Accidental touches and scratches to the front element are reduced simply because the glass is difficult to reach. Some impact protection is gained from having a sacrificial part taking the blow. Of course, ultra wide angle lenses have very short hoods that offer very little protection.

Lens hoods on longer focal length lenses offer some front lens element protection from rain and dust. The hood helps to keep the front element clean and dry. Of course, if your lens is not weather sealed, you should not let it get wet in the first place.

-Also serve as a replacement for your original lens hood , keep the original one for better resell value when u decided to sell your lens.

lens hoods are expensive - and inconvenient. Yes. But your lens was probably much more expensive - and you are shooting with a D-SLR because you want the best possible image quality (not because it was convenient and inexpensive).

Get in the habit of always using a lens hood!