Lense Flare - Someone help me out here...

[SSonnentag]

I may know computers inside and out, but I have a long ways to go when it comes to photography. :)

Obviously my lens is causing the undesirable effect shown below, but what do I need to look for in a lens to avoid this type of behavior? My Tamron 24-135 3.5/5.6 SP AD lens is absolutely terrible in this regard any time I point the camera toward a light source.

(Please ignore the focus in this photo, it was taken for demonstration purposes only and was handheld.)

Shawn

[amazingthailand]

Hi Shawn,

You think you got problems, I'm using the Sigma 15-30mm lens with it's very large protruding dome of a front element. Yikes!!

Anyway, since you are shooting straight into the source, it is very difficult to control such lens flare. The best you can do is watch for it and maybe try to re-orient yourself, or you camera, to minimize it.

Basically it is caused by the strong point source passing through so many air/glass (plastic?) surfaces on the way to the film plain. The multicoating on the lenses does reduce the flare, but it cannot eliminate it completely.

Normally I would suggest shading the lens as much as possible to reduce any stray light getting in at an oblique angle, but with the source in the picture, that strategy would be moot.

Regards,
Declan

[SSonnentag]

I had an idea. I tried taking a shot of my dining room ceiling fan and light with my UV lens on and then another with the UV filter off. I think I found my problem, at least the majority of my flare problem....cheap filters. Anyone know of a "good" filter manufacturer that won't cause this problem?

With UV filter....

[SSonnentag]

Without UV filter...

[jeffinkansas]

I have always had good luck with Tiffen


Jeff

[jeffinkansas]

Will probably be expensive though considering most of those tamron lenses are BIG. 72mm or so?


Jeff

[SSonnentag]

Tiffen is the brand of the filters that I currently have. :( I have the 3-lens kit with UV, neutral density and polarizer filters.

Shawn

[memobug]

You'll need an (expensive) *multicoated* filter from Hoya, B+W or Nikon. I don't think the Tiffen is going to cut it under demanding conditions like these. Another option is certainly to use no filter at all.

Regards,

Matt

[amazingthailand]

Well, that certainly is an interesting discovery. I would be very interested in seeing the results of a similar shot if and when you do buy one of those expensive multicoated filters.

I too, use mainly tiffen filters. I may need to rethink my filter brand.

Declan