Dedicated to the lens, the lens hood helps to minimize flare by deflecting stray light from entering the lens. The hood also provides additional protection to the lens from accidental impacts, bumps, or scratching. A lens hood helps you to block unwanted lens flare or glare in your pictures. When using a lens hood you block stray light from your lens and get better contrast in your picture and overall better image quality. While blocking unwanted light, it also protects the lens from bangs and shocks. Most lens hoods are model specific.