Please help me find out what this is on the photo ... Fuji XE-2

**jpzk** · 08-06-2014, 06:05 PM

I just realized that some funny little specks of light "stuff" are showing on some of my latest sunset images.
The "spots" are mostly found around the sun and a little farther out.
This is not seen at all on any of all of the other shots I have made with this camera, totalling about 800 images ... just this particular set with the sun head on, low on the horizon.
Lens used: FUJINON LENS XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
Checked: no dust on lens nor inside element/inside camera.
I am enclosing a sample shot of the "problem".

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by jpzk; 08-30-2015 at 07:11 PM.

Aegon · 08-06-2014, 06:19 PM

I'd guess it is dust on the lens that would only appear under harsh direct light at small apertures (for example, here).

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-06-2014, 06:22 PM

Just a guess, but it looks like something is on or in the lens, maybe imperfections in the glass. They look like reflections. Hopefully somebody has a better explanation and there is no lens problem.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-06-2014, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by Aegon

I'd guess it is dust on the lens that would only appear under harsh direct light at small apertures (for example, here).

Yes, very fine particles, possibly even mist.

**jatrax** · 08-06-2014, 06:31 PM - **1 Like**

Another possibility is flying insects. You do not notice them by eye but often the camera will record the reflections off or through their wings. Zoom in and see if the spots look like there is any motion blur. @ 1/125 you might be able to see a track if they are moving perpendicular to the sensor.

**jpzk** · 08-06-2014, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by Aegon

I'd guess it is dust on the lens that would only appear under harsh direct light at small apertures (for example, here).

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

Just a guess, but it looks like something is on or in the lens, maybe imperfections in the glass. They look like reflections. Hopefully somebody has a better explanation and there is no lens problem.

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

Yes, very fine particles, possibly even mist.

Thanks for the replies !

That's what I thought at first but I did checked the front and back lens elements, the sensor and there does not seem to be any dust anywhere.
On the other hand, there could well be some very very tiny specks (of dust) which are only showing during those conditions you mention.
I had to clone them out of one shot I posted here earlier (yesterday).
Very annoying.

What would be the best way to really and perfectly clean this lens and how make a couple of test shots before deciding if it is me (causing the dust - not cleaning the lens enough) or a lens defect?
As I mentioned earlier too, this is only happening with this kind of shot: direct sun during a sunset.

JP

JP

**jatrax** · 08-06-2014, 06:33 PM

Another clue would be if the spots are in the same place in multiple images or not. If not, then whatever it is is not on the lens or sensor but out in front moving.

Steve.Ledger · 08-06-2014, 06:41 PM

Did you shoot this through a window in your house?

**jpzk** · 08-06-2014, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Another possibility is flying insects. You do not notice them by eye but often the camera will record the reflections off or through their wings. Zoom in and see if the spots look like there is any motion blur. @ 1/125 you might be able to see a track if they are moving perpendicular to the sensor.

Great idea ... I am going to do this right away.
In the meantime, here is a screen shot showing three different shots of the same scene, cropped about the same sizes.
Seems like the spots are "all over the place", never in the same exact location(s).

stevebrot · 08-06-2014, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Another possibility is flying insects.

I am with jatrax. We see this all the time in our part of the world.

Steve

**jatrax** · 08-06-2014, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

Seems like the spots are "all over the place", never in the same exact location(s).

There you go then, its not on the lens. Next time you are out in a similar situation take a long exposure shot and I'll bet you will see the tracks as they fly about.

There was a TV show about this, I cannot remember which one, something about disproving mysteries or something. Anyway they had a bunch of video from different people with what looked like tiny UFO's zooming through. People were claiming to have recorded all kinds of things. They were able to prove it was nothing but flying insects zooming into the camera view and back out.

**jpzk** · 08-06-2014, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I am with jatrax. We see this all the time in our part of the world.

Steve

Originally posted by jatrax

There you go then, its not on the lens. Next time you are out in a similar situation take a long exposure shot and I'll bet you will see the tracks as they fly about.

There was a TV show about this, I cannot remember which one, something about disproving mysteries or something. Anyway they had a bunch of video from different people with what looked like tiny UFO's zooming through. People were claiming to have recorded all kinds of things. They were able to prove it was nothing but flying insects zooming into the camera view and back out.

Great thanks to you people in addressing the situation.
I was about to send the lens to a pro cleaning job and start doing all sorts of "tests" to find out if the lens was defective.

Darn insects!

JP

sherrvonne · 08-06-2014, 09:09 PM

I had a similar situation when I took a an orange sunset pic with the sun before it went behind the horizon and when I enlarged a portion in lightroom I seen tiny black flecks and thought "How did I not notice so much dust on the lens?" Then as I enlarged the photo more I realized that far far in the background was an entire flock of birds. I could not see it but the camera sure did!

Giklab · 08-06-2014, 10:01 PM

I agree with sherrvonne. My bet is on a bunch of seagulls.

**jpzk** · 08-07-2014, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by sherrvonne

I had a similar situation when I took a an orange sunset pic with the sun before it went behind the horizon and when I enlarged a portion in lightroom I seen tiny black flecks and thought "How did I not notice so much dust on the lens?" Then as I enlarged the photo more I realized that far far in the background was an entire flock of birds. I could not see it but the camera sure did!

Originally posted by Giklab

I agree with sherrvonne. My bet is on a bunch of seagulls.

Why couldn't I figure that out myself, having been doing photography for quite some time now!

JP

08-06-2014, 06:05 PM	#1
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Please help me find out what this is on the photo ... Fuji XE-2 I just realized that some funny little specks of light "stuff" are showing on some of my latest sunset images. The "spots" are mostly found around the sun and a little farther out. This is not seen at all on any of all of the other shots I have made with this camera, totalling about 800 images ... just this particular set with the sun head on, low on the horizon. Lens used: FUJINON LENS XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS Checked: no dust on lens nor inside element/inside camera. I am enclosing a sample shot of the "problem". Thanks in advance. Last edited by jpzk; 08-30-2015 at 07:11 PM.

08-06-2014, 06:45 PM	#9
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax Another possibility is flying insects. You do not notice them by eye but often the camera will record the reflections off or through their wings. Zoom in and see if the spots look like there is any motion blur. @ 1/125 you might be able to see a track if they are moving perpendicular to the sensor. Great idea ... I am going to do this right away. In the meantime, here is a screen shot showing three different shots of the same scene, cropped about the same sizes. Seems like the spots are "all over the place", never in the same exact location(s). Last edited by jpzk; 08-30-2015 at 07:11 PM.

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08-06-2014, 06:19 PM	#2
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	I'd guess it is dust on the lens that would only appear under harsh direct light at small apertures (for example, here).

08-06-2014, 06:22 PM	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Just a guess, but it looks like something is on or in the lens, maybe imperfections in the glass. They look like reflections. Hopefully somebody has a better explanation and there is no lens problem.

08-06-2014, 06:27 PM	#4
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by Aegon I'd guess it is dust on the lens that would only appear under harsh direct light at small apertures (for example, here). Yes, very fine particles, possibly even mist.

08-06-2014, 06:31 PM - 1 Like	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Another possibility is flying insects. You do not notice them by eye but often the camera will record the reflections off or through their wings. Zoom in and see if the spots look like there is any motion blur. @ 1/125 you might be able to see a track if they are moving perpendicular to the sensor.

08-06-2014, 06:32 PM	#6
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aegon I'd guess it is dust on the lens that would only appear under harsh direct light at small apertures (for example, here). Originally posted by ramseybuckeye Just a guess, but it looks like something is on or in the lens, maybe imperfections in the glass. They look like reflections. Hopefully somebody has a better explanation and there is no lens problem. Originally posted by ramseybuckeye Yes, very fine particles, possibly even mist. Thanks for the replies ! That's what I thought at first but I did checked the front and back lens elements, the sensor and there does not seem to be any dust anywhere. On the other hand, there could well be some very very tiny specks (of dust) which are only showing during those conditions you mention. I had to clone them out of one shot I posted here earlier (yesterday). Very annoying. What would be the best way to really and perfectly clean this lens and how make a couple of test shots before deciding if it is me (causing the dust - not cleaning the lens enough) or a lens defect? As I mentioned earlier too, this is only happening with this kind of shot: direct sun during a sunset. JP JP

08-06-2014, 06:33 PM	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Another clue would be if the spots are in the same place in multiple images or not. If not, then whatever it is is not on the lens or sensor but out in front moving.

08-06-2014, 06:41 PM	#8
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Did you shoot this through a window in your house?

08-06-2014, 06:48 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jatrax Another possibility is flying insects. I am with jatrax. We see this all the time in our part of the world. Steve

08-06-2014, 07:03 PM	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by jpzk Seems like the spots are "all over the place", never in the same exact location(s). There you go then, its not on the lens. Next time you are out in a similar situation take a long exposure shot and I'll bet you will see the tracks as they fly about. There was a TV show about this, I cannot remember which one, something about disproving mysteries or something. Anyway they had a bunch of video from different people with what looked like tiny UFO's zooming through. People were claiming to have recorded all kinds of things. They were able to prove it was nothing but flying insects zooming into the camera view and back out.

08-06-2014, 07:48 PM	#12
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot I am with jatrax. We see this all the time in our part of the world. Steve Originally posted by jatrax There you go then, its not on the lens. Next time you are out in a similar situation take a long exposure shot and I'll bet you will see the tracks as they fly about. There was a TV show about this, I cannot remember which one, something about disproving mysteries or something. Anyway they had a bunch of video from different people with what looked like tiny UFO's zooming through. People were claiming to have recorded all kinds of things. They were able to prove it was nothing but flying insects zooming into the camera view and back out. Great thanks to you people in addressing the situation. I was about to send the lens to a pro cleaning job and start doing all sorts of "tests" to find out if the lens was defective. Darn insects! JP

08-06-2014, 09:09 PM	#13
sherrvonne Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,975	I had a similar situation when I took a an orange sunset pic with the sun before it went behind the horizon and when I enlarged a portion in lightroom I seen tiny black flecks and thought "How did I not notice so much dust on the lens?" Then as I enlarged the photo more I realized that far far in the background was an entire flock of birds. I could not see it but the camera sure did!

08-06-2014, 10:01 PM	#14
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	I agree with sherrvonne. My bet is on a bunch of seagulls.

08-07-2014, 07:20 AM	#15
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by sherrvonne I had a similar situation when I took a an orange sunset pic with the sun before it went behind the horizon and when I enlarged a portion in lightroom I seen tiny black flecks and thought "How did I not notice so much dust on the lens?" Then as I enlarged the photo more I realized that far far in the background was an entire flock of birds. I could not see it but the camera sure did! Originally posted by Giklab I agree with sherrvonne. My bet is on a bunch of seagulls. Why couldn't I figure that out myself, having been doing photography for quite some time now! JP