What is this - how do I make it not happen?

philipw

Hi -

I've shot the San Francisco skyline at night a few times now, and I keep getting some kind of reflection on my lens from somewhere when I shoot over the buildings. I've shot from different locations far apart, and it still appears. I can't figure it out how it's getting there because I don't see it when I'm shooting, but more importantly, how do I make it not happen? The images can be seen here: http://philipwood.smugmug.com/gallery/4184514#244509488

Thanks,

Philip

OsirisPhoto

Looks like flying saucers to me

Or maybe flare caused by the bright light sources.

What lens are you using, and does it have a hood?

philipw

Hyperbaric wrote:

Looks like flying saucers to me

Or maybe flare caused by the bright light sources.

What lens are you using, and does it have a hood?

Yeah, flying saucers are what everyone says.

I was using a 400mm on the nighttime image and I used my 70-200 for the sunset image, and I was using a hood.

gluwater

I believe that is flare that you get on a long exposure. I believe you wouldn't notice it on a shorter exposure. I have also gotten the same thing on night shots while using a hood. I've just cloned them out. I'm not sure there is anything you can do about it.

Richard

If you were using a filter, that could be the problem. They can cause reflections, especially noticeable on night shots.

Regards,

tsk1979

Take off the filter

philipw

rsinmadrid wrote:

If you were using a filter, that could be the problem. They can cause reflections, especially noticeable on night shots.

Regards,

I do have UV filters on my lenses. I will take them off the next time I'm down there and see of that works. Thanks.

Philip

SloYerRoll

gluwater wrote:

I'm not sure there is anything you can do about it.

The higher end glass (not like I have any:cry) takes extra steps to make that reflected light doesn't hit the sensor. They do all kinds of interesting things to make this go away. Of course any glass is susceptible to lens flare if the angle is bad enough. But there are solutions. They are jsut very costly.

gluwater

SloYerRoll wrote:

The higher end glass (not like I have any:cry) takes extra steps to make that reflected light doesn't hit the sensor. They do all kinds of interesting things to make this go away. Of course any glass is susceptible to lens flare if the angle is bad enough. But there are solutions. They are jsut very costly.

I've gotten this using both the 17-40 f/4L and 70-200 f/2.8L IS. Both times I've seen this I was not using any filter whatsoever.

philipw

gluwater wrote:

I've gotten this using both the 17-40 f/4L and 70-200 f/2.8L IS. Both times I've seen this I was not using any filter whatsoever.

Yeah, when I listed my lenses, I didn't put that I was using L glass. My buddy that I was with wasn't using L lenses, but did have UV filters as well, and he got the same effects. On my finals, I photoshopped the flair out. I only used the sunset one that had it in it, and if anybody's interested, you can see that image here: http://philipwood.smugmug.com/gallery/3710649#244446258

Thanks,

Philip

John Mueller

Are you blocking light that may come in from the view finder?

philipw

John Mueller wrote:

Are you blocking light that may come in from the view finder?

No, I wasn't. Someone else brought that up to me, and I've been wondering about that. I will try that next time I get down that way.

Thanks.

Philip