Why you should use lens hoods
Most lenses come with clip on hoods, which are designed to shield the front lens element from direct or side-on sunlight – or other light sources – and thus prevent optical anomalies such as ghosting and lens flare.
Many hoods are ‘petal shaped’ to provide maximum shielding without darkening the corners and thus avoiding excessive vignetting, and some are actually built into the lens, particularly wide-angle lenses with bulbous front elements.
Hoods also offer protection to the lens, helping prevent anything from touching the front element when shooting up close, or from impact – should you fall or drop it…