[Paul.R.Lindqvist]

LOL so much for using lens hood to protect the lens.

/Paul L.

I see your point, but the lens hood that came with my Tamron is hard plastic and if the lens hood got a knock the vibrations would transmit to the lens. Manufacturers would say they are not for protection anyway...:/ but for keeping stray rays of light out.
If you drop a camera with or without a lens hood on, well you deserve what you get.
Not being rude, just practical.

A soft rubber would give more protection and antivibration etc, IMHO.

No not really, a rubber lenshood would not protect it much, since it will give in if you bump or drop it. Vibration is not the problem. bending or cracking the front barrel/element is often one of the main damage when you drop a lens.

Surely its designed to keep light hitting the front element of the lens @ wrong angle, and thus creating flare.

But rubber made lenshoods seems far more practical then paper ones.

/Paul L.