HELP... Is this normal or is lens broken?

delboy65 · 04-22-2015, 01:28 PM

Just went out to snap the crescent moon with my HD DA 55-300mm WR lens and noticed some glare reflection. I did notice this the other day but put it down to being close to a streetlight. This time was in the garden shaded from any direct bright lights. To test also took a close up of a street light and the same result

Is this a 'feature' of this lens or .... have I bought a pup?

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Last edited by delboy65; 04-28-2015 at 04:34 AM.

Adam · 04-22-2015, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by delboy65

Just went out to snap the crescent moon with my HD DA 55-300mm WR lens and noticed some glare reflection. I did notice this the other day but put it down to being close to a streetlight. This time was in the garden shaded from any direct bright lights. To test also took a close up of a street light and the same result

Is this a 'feature' of this lens or .... have I bought a pup?

Are you using a filter?

Stavri · 04-22-2015, 01:40 PM

Having a filter attached might be the source of the problem...

delboy65 · 04-22-2015, 01:49 PM

Yes, i do have a uv filter attached 😕

infra4801 · 04-22-2015, 02:00 PM

Ha! this is very interesting, because I've had the exact same problem before, but didn't wonder what it was, and attributed it to some reflection effect of the light of the moon. No filter then, OK! Thanks, guys!

**UncleVanya** · 04-22-2015, 02:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by delboy65

Yes, i do have a uv filter attached ��

UV Filters are really not needed these days. I think if you dig around in threads you will find other problems introduced by them. I have seen telephoto shots that were dramatically improved by the removal of these "protective" filters. If you want front element protection use a good hood. If that isn't sufficient - get insurance.

I'm glad someone else identified this problem as I would not have known what to suggest at first despite having seen the problem myself up close and personal once or twice. For those of us that used film it was just normal practice and a hard habit to break.

condor27596 · 04-22-2015, 02:30 PM - **1 Like**

I took the no lens cover thread to heart and have never been more happy.

**Ex Finn.** · 04-22-2015, 04:19 PM

It could also be a reflection from the sensor to the rear element of the lens.

sterretje · 04-22-2015, 09:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by delboy65

Yes, i do have a uv filter attached 😕

Remove it and check again. I had exactly the same issue with the non-WR version of this lens on a K10D and have not been using filters since that experience. I now will only use protective filters in a blistering sandstorm.

delboy65 · 04-23-2015, 08:54 PM

OMFG, would never have believed it but removed the uv filter and... no glare when pointed at the moon again

One truly does live and learn

**crewl1** · 04-23-2015, 09:27 PM

Use the hood, ditch the filter.
I believe if Pentax engineers thought the lens would work better with an additional piece of glass, it would have been part of the design.

**csa** · 04-24-2015, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Use the hood, ditch the filter.

Agreed! The hood offers great protection for the lens, with few exceptions (dust storms, etc.). I never have a filter on any of my lenses, with the exception if I'm using a polarizer.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-24-2015, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by delboy65

OMFG, would never have believed it but removed the uv filter and... no glare when pointed at the moon again

One truly does live and learn

same thing happened to me while shooting sunsets - kept getting excessive reflections/ghosts.... did some research/reading on this forum and a couple of others and pulled all (yes, all) filters off of my lenses and lost all the ghosts....

here's one of the articles that made me second-guess the necessity of filters:

Should You Use a UV Filter on Your Lens?: Digital Photography Review

04-22-2015, 01:37 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by delboy65 Just went out to snap the crescent moon with my HD DA 55-300mm WR lens and noticed some glare reflection. I did notice this the other day but put it down to being close to a streetlight. This time was in the garden shaded from any direct bright lights. To test also took a close up of a street light and the same result Is this a 'feature' of this lens or .... have I bought a pup? Are you using a filter? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-22-2015, 01:40 PM	#3
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Having a filter attached might be the source of the problem...

04-22-2015, 01:49 PM	#4
delboy65 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: High Wycombe, UK Posts: 47 Original Poster	Yes, i do have a uv filter attached 😕

04-22-2015, 02:00 PM	#5
infra4801 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 55	Ha! this is very interesting, because I've had the exact same problem before, but didn't wonder what it was, and attributed it to some reflection effect of the light of the moon. No filter then, OK! Thanks, guys!

04-22-2015, 02:26 PM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by delboy65 Yes, i do have a uv filter attached �� UV Filters are really not needed these days. I think if you dig around in threads you will find other problems introduced by them. I have seen telephoto shots that were dramatically improved by the removal of these "protective" filters. If you want front element protection use a good hood. If that isn't sufficient - get insurance. I'm glad someone else identified this problem as I would not have known what to suggest at first despite having seen the problem myself up close and personal once or twice. For those of us that used film it was just normal practice and a hard habit to break.

04-22-2015, 02:30 PM - 1 Like	#7
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	I took the no lens cover thread to heart and have never been more happy.

04-22-2015, 04:19 PM	#8
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	It could also be a reflection from the sensor to the rear element of the lens.

04-22-2015, 09:02 PM - 1 Like	#9
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by delboy65 Yes, i do have a uv filter attached 😕 Remove it and check again. I had exactly the same issue with the non-WR version of this lens on a K10D and have not been using filters since that experience. I now will only use protective filters in a blistering sandstorm.

04-23-2015, 08:54 PM	#10
delboy65 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: High Wycombe, UK Posts: 47 Original Poster	OMFG, would never have believed it but removed the uv filter and... no glare when pointed at the moon again One truly does live and learn

04-23-2015, 09:27 PM	#11
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Use the hood, ditch the filter. I believe if Pentax engineers thought the lens would work better with an additional piece of glass, it would have been part of the design.

04-24-2015, 07:11 AM	#12
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by crewl1 Use the hood, ditch the filter. Agreed! The hood offers great protection for the lens, with few exceptions (dust storms, etc.). I never have a filter on any of my lenses, with the exception if I'm using a polarizer.

04-24-2015, 02:16 PM	#13
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	Originally posted by delboy65 OMFG, would never have believed it but removed the uv filter and... no glare when pointed at the moon again One truly does live and learn same thing happened to me while shooting sunsets - kept getting excessive reflections/ghosts.... did some research/reading on this forum and a couple of others and pulled all (yes, all) filters off of my lenses and lost all the ghosts.... here's one of the articles that made me second-guess the necessity of filters: Should You Use a UV Filter on Your Lens?: Digital Photography Review