Camera Labs

Hey guys,

Took this photo last night, and many more like it. I've been getting really bad lens flare and I'm not sure why. I typically get it from street lights head on. I don't feel like this photo should be outside the operating range of my camera.

Nikon D200
Tamron 17-55 f/2.8
Citywide UV Filter
Lens Hood

ISO200
F/4.8
8.0 Sec
50mm

Any Advice at all would be great. Thanks.

Try without the UV filter. I think that's the cause.

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Radu
Canon PowerShot S100
Canon 50D , SIGMA 10-20 f3.5 ,Canon EF 24-105 L IS USM, Canon EF 100/2.8 macro Canon EF 50/1.4 ,Canon EF 85 f1.8,Canon EF-S17-85 4-5.6 Old Tamron 28-300 inherited from my Canon Rebel G film camera
Canon580EXII
http://www.errre.net

Hi Trevor Harris,

I agree with Radu - give it a try without the UV filter.

If you find that the UV filter is the reason, try cleaning the UV filter thoroughly. Grease or moisture can easily cause these types of flares.

I'm not familiar with "citywide" as a brand of UV filters, suggesting that it's discount brand. Poorly constructed UV filters can introduce all sorts of flares in and of themselves. However, that doesn't mean that UV filters are a bad idea - they do protect the front elements of the glass.

So, as an alternative - assuming you confirm that it's the UV filter that is causing it - you owe yourself to try a better UV filter from..say Hoya or Tiffen or B+W. If you can afford it, a thin one.

Good luck!

Cheers

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Nikon stuff and other stuff, but not nearly as much stuff as I really want!

Yeah, I had a feeling it was the filter. You suggested 3 brands and seem to be indicating that the B&W Is the highest quality. Care to rank all 3?

Hi Trevor,

Unfortunately, I don't think I can rank the three brands as such. They all make a solid part of their business from filters and I believe they have offerings in different price ranges as well - i.e. not just one per diameter-size.

Generally speaking, the price will tell you how much care has gone into making them.

Did you confirm if it was the filter that was the culprit here, though?

Cheers

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Nikon stuff and other stuff, but not nearly as much stuff as I really want!

Not yet, but I'll let you know when I do!

It looks a bit like saggital coma flare. Try shooting at F/11 and see if you have the same problem.

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I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".