A rubber lens hood, also known as a collapsible lens hood or foldable lens hood, is a type of lens hood made from flexible rubber material. Unlike traditional hard plastic or metal lens hoods, rubber lens hoods are collapsible and can be easily folded or rolled up when not in use, making them more compact and convenient for storage and transportation.Rubber lens hoods typically feature accordion-style folds or ribs that allow them to extend or retract to accommodate different focal lengths and shooting scenarios. When extended, they help shade the lens from stray light, reducing lens flare and improving contrast and color saturation in images. They also provide some level of physical protection for the front element of the lens against accidental bumps and scratches.