Yes, to block potential flare. Not sure about the other companies hoods but I like that the Pentax ones have a little slot that you can use to move a circular polarizer into the correct position.
I use it for lens flare but not all the time. I have been better about using it more often lately and it has come in most handy as a shock absorber and once recently REALLY saved what could have been a bad, bad bonk to the front end of a 1500.00 lens. (hard enough bonk to break filter& maybe glass)
Yes, I have one for my Kodak. Definitely makes it look a LOT cooler :-P
I'm sure you can get one for your cam. You probably need a lens adapter ring for that camera, then just a hood for that size thread. The adapter ring for mine was under $20, (it also allows you to get filters, w/a lens, telephoto, etc.) and the hood was under $10 at my local camera store. They ordered the ring for me. The other thing I like about the hood is it provides some protection for the lens. The big zoom p&s, that lens extends out a bit, it's nice to have that extra safe zone around it, as well as flares and glare. Also works to help keep the occasional snow flake or raindrop out! I'm pretty sure I've seen the rings and accessories for the fuji's when I was looking around for stuff for mine. A quick look on e-bay will tell you for sure, then you can look around for where to get one, or just check with your local camera shop. :-)
Darn it!, he took the photo off the site, but if you want your cam to look really, REALLY cool, get some hot rod flames airbrushed on your lens hood like jmsetzler did. Talk about bada**!!!
...it did look pretty cool :-P
anyone remember that?
I use my lens hoods without fail. It's a religion. They never do any harm, and they sometimes do good. They protect my front glass from accidental knocks, a big plus. They look good, you look more serious with 'em on. What's not to like? Unless you're trying to be unobtrusice as possible, but that's not very with a 20D anyway.
I use mine, but half the time I forget to take it off when I use my flash and it blocks the light... and it does look cool, kinda like a gigantic aluminum spoiler on a Ford Focus.
edited because I realized half my post was in jibberish.
For those of us that do own a flash (lol) and have a tulip-style hood, the hood can be (or should be) able to be rotated 90 degrees. In the case of the Tamron 28-75mm, it has detents for either position. With pop-up flash in use and in landscape orientation, rotate so extended tulip sections are aligned to horizon, or you will get a shadow in the shot.
