Customer Rating: 
Summary: A must have for your 5700 and 8700
Comment: I've owned the Nikon HR-E5700 lens hood for almost as long as I've owned my Nikon 5700. The lens hood screws on quickly and can be removed just as quickly. Not only does the hood shade the lens from outside glare but its firm rubberized nature also protects the lens from accidental side-to-side dings and accidents.
There really shouldn't be a time when you need to use the lens hood and the speed light (flash) at the same time but if you did then the flash is going to be obscured by the lip of the hood leaving a darker shadow on the bottom of the image.
If it weren't for the popup speed light I would leave the lens hood on permanently since it adds to the general bulk of the camera and makes the 5700 (and the 8700) 'feel' a bit more substantial a bit more like a prosumer digital camera.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Do not use with pop-up flash
Comment: Do not use for in-door, when pop-up flash is activated.
A shadow will appear on the bottom of the picture.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for outdoor use.
Comment: I've been using a the Coolpix 5700 for 8 mos., shooting outdoors. The hood is usefull on sunny days, or days with slight drizzle--basically helps to protect the lens. Otherwise, it's not necessary.
Summary: A must have for your 5700 and 8700
Comment: I've owned the Nikon HR-E5700 lens hood for almost as long as I've owned my Nikon 5700. The lens hood screws on quickly and can be removed just as quickly. Not only does the hood shade the lens from outside glare but its firm rubberized nature also protects the lens from accidental side-to-side dings and accidents.
There really shouldn't be a time when you need to use the lens hood and the speed light (flash) at the same time but if you did then the flash is going to be obscured by the lip of the hood leaving a darker shadow on the bottom of the image.
If it weren't for the popup speed light I would leave the lens hood on permanently since it adds to the general bulk of the camera and makes the 5700 (and the 8700) 'feel' a bit more substantial a bit more like a prosumer digital camera.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Do not use with pop-up flash
Comment: Do not use for in-door, when pop-up flash is activated.
A shadow will appear on the bottom of the picture.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for outdoor use.
Comment: I've been using a the Coolpix 5700 for 8 mos., shooting outdoors. The hood is usefull on sunny days, or days with slight drizzle--basically helps to protect the lens. Otherwise, it's not necessary.