Should I replace my lens? Hear me out pls

[mollyc]

I never use protective filters. But I always use a lens hood (unless shooting indoor macro).

 

[Clix Pix]

Lens hood -- absolutely! I use them 99.99% of the time, sometimes even when shooting macros or tabletops indoors.

 

[deep diver]

At the time I am buying a lens I always check to see what size filter it takes and if I don't already have a spare one in that size I include a clear filter in the purchase. I'd much rather wipe off a filter than the actual lens any day, and filters have saved lenses by being the only thing to break or get dented edges when a lens meets the ground unexpectedly.

I never use protective filters. But I always use a lens hood (unless shooting indoor macro).

Lens hood -- absolutely! I use them 99.99% of the time, sometimes even when shooting macros or tabletops indoors.

I always use filters and hoods. There are equally good arguments on both sides if we are talking about someone that understands how to handle their equipment properly. OP still has a lot to learn.

 

[Apple fanboy]

100% lens hood user here. It does more than protect your lens. It helps reduce glare and other issues that effect your image.

 

[Clix Pix]

Exactly -- a lens hood is invaluable and there is a good reason that the manufacturer usually provides one with a lens. I keep my lens hoods on the lenses at all times so that everything is ready to go when I grab a lens and the camera to go shoot something.

 

[deep diver]

One of the benefits of storing the hood backwards on the lens is that I never forget to take it with me.

I'd love to see OP come back and let us know what they decided.

 

[Clix Pix]

Right now my lenses are all stored in my armoire, so I leave the hoods in position for use, but, yes, when transporting or storing everything in a camera bag or case, I reverse the hoods and slide them on the lenses that way so that when I'm ready to grab a lens out in the field and shoot, it has its hood on it, just needs to be flipped around and installed in the correct position. The only lens hood that I don't handle this way or keep on the lens while it's sitting in the cabinet is the one for the Bazooka, as that lens hood is long and makes the lens even longer on the shelf, so I just wait until I'm ready to put the lens on the camera to put the lens hood in position after removing the lens cap.