Lens hood half moon shadow?

[dwd3885]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forums and have had my digital slr for about 6 months now.

I have a Sony A200 with Sal-1800 lens and sh0006 lens hood (both came with the lens kit).

I am having a problem when I take a photo zoomed out all the way with the lens hood on and the flash, there is a half moon effect on the bottom center of the photos. I do not know why this is. When the flash is off it is fine, and when I zoom in a little bit it is fine, and when I take off the lens hood all is fine.

Is this a problem with the flash (not going up as high as other cameras)? a problem with the lens hood (get a flower lens hood)?

Any advice on how to deal with this. I mean, I could just zoom in a little bit and be OK, but I want to know if this is a problem everywhere.

[TheWengler]

The hood is just blocking the flash from the lower part of the frame. Nothing you can really do about it except for the obvious (remove the hood, zoom in or get a hotshoe flash).

[dwd3885]

so this isn't really a problem, because most people use an external flash or zoom in? I just want to see if it's the camera specifically or if it happens to people all the time.

a newer camera with a higher built-in flash might help? or a flower lens hood? what I have now isn't a flower lens hood, but I'm not quite sure the difference

[Csae]

Flower types are more related to ultra wides.

A hotshoe flash, one that will go higher up then your build in one will fix your problem and is what most people use.

Well, most photogs, the masses dont really use lens hoods to begin with.

[dwd3885]

ah I see, thanks for the info.

[K1W1]

Take the lens hood off when you are using the on board flash. Problem solved.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

The lens hood stops stray light from he side which lowers the contrast of your photos to varying degrees depending on a few things like lens quality apperture etc. Motto in bright sunshine I always use a lens hood. Others would disagree and never use a hood btw.

If you're using the flash it's cause it's dark, ie no light hitting the lens from the side so no need for the hood. A hotshoe flash with it's bigger area higher and more power will give you heaps of advantages. For example by being higher you won't get red eye. You can also swivel it to bounce off other surfaces brightening the whole room to avoid that flashed look.

[gotocin]

Thanks for your sharing.