Lens hood
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A lens hood is a physical attachment to the front of the lens which serves the following purposes:
- prevent stray light entering the lens thereby causing flare
- prevent objects from dangling in front of the lens
- protect the lens from dust and scratches
Most current Nikon lenses, as well as most older zoom lenses, have a specially designed lens hood which is shipped with the camera, and can be mounted frontwards, for use, or backwards, for easy carrying and storage.
Third party lens hoods are available, either for lenses which do not have them, or for use with filters such as the Lee filter system.
