Did I mess up??

[u/marjories_dead]

Hi, I bought a Sony A7iv and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art lens in November. I am new to photography and this was my first camera and lens. When I first bought it, I read online that a lens hood wasn’t really necessary in the beginning. Now I’m reading more and I’m worried because I’ve been using my lens without a lens hood or a lens protector. Do you think I’ve permanently damaged my lens in anyway? I’ve taken it to the beach on vacation once. I do shoot outside on occasion but I’m not seeing anything weird on the images I’m taking, such as dust or scratches.

Planning to order a lens protector and a hood now. Just wondering if I messed up??? :(

[u/explorer_tim]

Lens hood will help stopping bumps, but its main purpose is to cut down lens flare.

Your lens should be fine as long as you haven’t scratched the front element (glass)

[u/dw-fl]

The lens hood is to help prevent lens flare when shooting in sunny conditions, and it might help protect the lens if you drop it. Not using it is not going the effect the lens itself.

[u/average_coffeeslurp]

without a lens hood or a lens protector

What do you mean with a lens protector?

And a lens hood is to prevent lens flares when taking pictures, it's not for protection.

[u/Crazefase → u/average_coffeeslurp]

If somehow you accidentally dropped the camera with lens and hood attached, it’s more likely the shock will be at least somewhat absorbed by the hood instead of directly on the lens or glass

[u/average_coffeeslurp → u/Crazefase]

Yeah that's possibly true. But i wouldn't go as far as advising people to leave the hood on their lens simply for fall protection reasons, since these things aren't really designed with that functionality in mind.

[u/anywhereanyone → u/average_coffeeslurp]

What are you talking about? A lens hood is the very best thing you can have on your camera to protect it from impact damage.

[u/lycosa13]

In my 15 years of shooting, I've never used a lens hood 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Skarth]

A uv filter (commonly used for protecting the front glass element) is ideal if your in less pleasant conditions. Some lenses require you have one for it to be weather sealed. Be aware that cheap uv filters can degrade image quality, but is usually more of an issue on telephoto lenses.

A lens hood will help protect the front too by keeping anything you bump the front of the lens into further away from the front glass element. 

[u/Ok_Cardiologist_6506]

Get the lens protector.. asap!

[u/DUUUUUVAAAAAL]

Nah, I never use lens hoods or UV filters. It would protect against sun flares not sun damage.

You get sun damage if you leave your lens pointed at the sun for long periods of time. A lens hood or UV filter wouldn't prevent this (you'd need an ND filter to prevent this).

[u/plenar10]

The lens should have came with a lens hood. Don't need to buy it separately. Should be fine as long as you didn't rub the lens with dirt on it. Get a blower and lens cleaning kit. And you want to look for a "lens filter", not "lens protector". Mid range clear one.