As the other's have said, if you can spring for it, get some kind of auto darkening helmet.
This is especially helpful for the occasional welder. The reason is you don't lose track of where things are when you are about to strike the arc. You see where you are and bingo, you strike the arc exactly where you want "right now."
With the standard helmet you have to hold position, nod you head and wait till the hood drops, then strike. Gives time for the hand to move away from the strike point, and no way to know it till after the arc is struck and you can see where you are.
I don't weld as much as I would like to. I bought the best auto darkening helmet I could afford to and don't regret it at all.
It will also protect you if you somehow get the sensor blocked and the shade does not darken. You get 100% protectioin from UV and infrared whether it darkens or not. That was a major question for me before I made the purchase.
The FIL is right on when he says get a good one. Good can also mean something that feels comfortable and is not too heavy. Best to try before you buy if possible. However I have no regrets even though I tried neither my helmet nor welder before buying. Reason was I needed the helmet to start learning, and could not even strike an arc to test one... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif