Sigma 17-50 2.8, too much flare

RonakG · 02-12-2015, 01:00 PM

I got the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 for my K-5 IIs a month back. I think my copy of the lens is excellent, great sharpness even wide open, great color/contrast and bokeh.

Only flaw with this lens is poor flare control. I love shooting the sun in the frame, some of my best photos till date have sun in the frame. This lens is just not meant to be used for that kind of shots.

Will putting a UV filter or polarized filter in front help with flare issue?

Docrwm · 02-12-2015, 01:05 PM

From what I understand, a CPL is not going to help direct sun light on the lens which is causing the flare because the CPL works with multi directional sunlight strays reflecting off objects by making them uni-directional and manageable rays, such as water, glass, rocks, etc, etc, avoiding harsh looking objects in the shot.

JinDesu · 02-12-2015, 01:11 PM

Find some way to extend the hood a little (like cardboard taped on), if the flare is an issue with the sun partially in the frame. If the flare is an issue with the sun directly in the frame, then it's all internal reflections and there's not much you can do about that.

enoeske · 02-12-2015, 01:25 PM

I'll agree with ya. Sharp and contrasty when wide open. But definitely prone to internal reflection flare. Its not necessarily a bad thing --

RonakG · 02-12-2015, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

From what I understand, a CPL is not going to help direct sun light on the lens which is causing the flare because the CPL works with multi directional sunlight strays reflecting off objects by making them uni-directional and manageable rays, such as water, glass, rocks, etc, etc, avoiding harsh looking objects in the shot.

Originally posted by JinDesu

Find some way to extend the hood a little (like cardboard taped on), if the flare is an issue with the sun partially in the frame. If the flare is an issue with the sun directly in the frame, then it's all internal reflections and there's not much you can do about that.

Looks like I'll have to rely on my 18-135 for those kind of shots. Now I realize how good it controls the flare when sun is directly in the frame.

Originally posted by enoeske

I'll agree with ya. Sharp and contrasty when wide open. But definitely prone to internal reflection flare. Its not necessarily a bad thing --

It worked out pretty well here, but I don't like it in my landscape shots.

Imp · 02-12-2015, 02:43 PM

This is my main worry about purchasing the Sigma over the Tamron

nomadkng · 02-12-2015, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by Imp

This is my main worry about purchasing the Sigma over the Tamron

it's exactly WHY I purchased the tamron 17-50. I really like sigma and I have their 20-40, but for sunset/sunrise shots with sun near or in frame sigma's just burst into flare. it's not acceptable for my style of photography.

I just recently purchased a 24-60, I'm hoping it will handle sun a little better since I'll need 24mm on FF shortly. if not, I'm not sure what I'll do.

02-12-2015, 01:00 PM	#1
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	Sigma 17-50 2.8, too much flare I got the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 for my K-5 IIs a month back. I think my copy of the lens is excellent, great sharpness even wide open, great color/contrast and bokeh. Only flaw with this lens is poor flare control. I love shooting the sun in the frame, some of my best photos till date have sun in the frame. This lens is just not meant to be used for that kind of shots. Will putting a UV filter or polarized filter in front help with flare issue?

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02-12-2015, 01:05 PM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	From what I understand, a CPL is not going to help direct sun light on the lens which is causing the flare because the CPL works with multi directional sunlight strays reflecting off objects by making them uni-directional and manageable rays, such as water, glass, rocks, etc, etc, avoiding harsh looking objects in the shot.

02-12-2015, 01:11 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Find some way to extend the hood a little (like cardboard taped on), if the flare is an issue with the sun partially in the frame. If the flare is an issue with the sun directly in the frame, then it's all internal reflections and there's not much you can do about that.

02-12-2015, 01:25 PM	#4
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	I'll agree with ya. Sharp and contrasty when wide open. But definitely prone to internal reflection flare. Its not necessarily a bad thing --

02-12-2015, 02:04 PM	#5
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm From what I understand, a CPL is not going to help direct sun light on the lens which is causing the flare because the CPL works with multi directional sunlight strays reflecting off objects by making them uni-directional and manageable rays, such as water, glass, rocks, etc, etc, avoiding harsh looking objects in the shot. Originally posted by JinDesu Find some way to extend the hood a little (like cardboard taped on), if the flare is an issue with the sun partially in the frame. If the flare is an issue with the sun directly in the frame, then it's all internal reflections and there's not much you can do about that. Looks like I'll have to rely on my 18-135 for those kind of shots. Now I realize how good it controls the flare when sun is directly in the frame. Originally posted by enoeske I'll agree with ya. Sharp and contrasty when wide open. But definitely prone to internal reflection flare. Its not necessarily a bad thing -- It worked out pretty well here, but I don't like it in my landscape shots.

02-12-2015, 02:43 PM	#6
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	This is my main worry about purchasing the Sigma over the Tamron

02-12-2015, 02:58 PM	#7
nomadkng Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,448	Originally posted by Imp This is my main worry about purchasing the Sigma over the Tamron it's exactly WHY I purchased the tamron 17-50. I really like sigma and I have their 20-40, but for sunset/sunrise shots with sun near or in frame sigma's just burst into flare. it's not acceptable for my style of photography. I just recently purchased a 24-60, I'm hoping it will handle sun a little better since I'll need 24mm on FF shortly. if not, I'm not sure what I'll do.