HELP - Reflections (maybe?) appearing in pics during night shots (examples within)

Morbo · 07-08-2008, 07:06 PM

alright guys, i need help -

this happened the other night too when i shot when it was darker and at a direct source of light.
and it happened again tonight - what are the spots? why is this happening? I think it's a reflection of some sort. because after i noticed it the first time i pointed it back at the street light, and moved the subject around (the light), and I could see the reflection move through the eyepiece as i moved it.

and these are with a different lens that when it happened before.

*Ole* · 07-08-2008, 07:13 PM

If you were using a UV filter that could be the culprit.

*navcom* · 07-08-2008, 07:15 PM

What you got there is lens flare. It is stray light bouncing around in your lens when you shoot directly at a bright light source. Some lenses are more prone to it than others. Some tips to try and avoid it that I've used are:

- Try using a lens hood
- Try using a different f-stop
- Try zooming in or out slightly (if it's a zoom lens)

These may or may not work...and I'm definately not an expert on the subject!

I've had this happen before and usually a different f-stop helps. It may also be a filter issue such as Ole has described.

Hope that helps!

*gokenin* · 07-08-2008, 07:17 PM

I think its lens flare but I could be wrong. The use of a lens hood should take care of this problem. Should i be wrong I am sure that others will be around to give the correct reason and the correct solution as well

edit: its amazing how fast we respond on this forum

Morbo · 07-08-2008, 07:40 PM

thanks everyone.
little more info on those shots above.

yes i had a UV filter on (never think to ever take them off)
i was using my Pentax 50mm 1.4
i tried a few different f-stops, still appeared I think.

i will try again without the filter and see!

Wheatfield · 07-08-2008, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Morbo

thanks everyone.
little more info on those shots above.

yes i had a UV filter on (never think to ever take them off)
i was using my Pentax 50mm 1.4
i tried a few different f-stops, still appeared I think.

i will try again without the filter and see!

If you look closely, the arfifacts are upside down and reversed.
I think you'll find the filter to be the culprit. A hood won't help since the offending light source appears to be within the lens' field of view.

Morbo · 07-08-2008, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Wheatfield

If you look closely, the arfifacts are upside down and reversed.
I think you'll find the filter to be the culprit. A hood won't help since the offending light source appears to be within the lens' field of view.

nice catch.
thanks I will definitely try shooting without the filter next time!

*MikeH* · 07-08-2008, 08:29 PM

It's called Ghosting, afaik. It's a type of flare that ca occur when a filter is used.

Darkside_Hero · 07-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Hi!, My first post.

I had this problem too and it is the definitely the cheap UV filter; replacing it with a Multi-Coated filter got rid of the ghosting.

rburgoss · 07-12-2008, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Darkside_Hero

Hi!, My first post.

I had this problem too and it is the definitely the cheap UV filter; replacing it with a Multi-Coated filter got rid of the ghosting.

Sometimes MC filters (high end expensive ones) are not enough to get rid of ghosting. Check this thread Filter ghosting? I GOT PROOF!

RB

*Nesster* · 07-12-2008, 09:27 AM

Although, at night and depending on where the light source is, the green ghost flare can / will occur in the best of lenses. I get it with the 43 Limited with the hood on, if I'm shooting into the light... which is the only way to shoot e.g. ice or drops of water at night

Lowell Goudge · 07-12-2008, 09:30 AM

are you sure it is not a UFO?

Actually I agree it's flare

reeftool · 07-12-2008, 10:43 AM

I have had those little green gremlins appear in daylight shots also. Pretty sure its flare. I got them in a few shots I took last winter shooting towards the sun late in the day. I'm on the wrong puter so I can't post one. I have only seen them shooting directly into bright light. However, maybe the bright light is making these normally invisible aliens visible.........

*Nesster* · 07-12-2008, 11:19 AM

By the way I sometimes get them in my Hoya Multicoated eyeglasses too

*Damn Brit* · 07-12-2008, 12:34 PM

If you're seeing green ghosting, it's more than likely the Absinthe fairy.