Hi--

>I found, in your lens test, that the f2.8 24mm Nikon needs a hood. How
>does the lens performance degrad without hood? Is the hood be 'a must'
>for the lens?
> zus@vt.edu

Most Nikkors will work without a shade (using a hand to block the
effects of the sun or other bright, small sources). A few Nikkors are
sensitive to broad, soft light sources out of the frame - the 24 is one.