Steve'sDigicams

margstamps · Jan 15, 2012, 8:03 PM

I use a canon 40D. Taking lowlight photos with no flash. The flames repeat above the subject. Is this "operator error?" or Is this a problem with my camera. Thanks for any advice.

wave01 · Jan 16, 2012, 5:07 AM

what actually is above her or behind there is also a glass to left

TCav · Jan 16, 2012, 6:01 AM

It's a form of lens flare.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%2...2011_-1-19.jpg

Ozzie_Traveller · Jan 16, 2012, 1:21 PM

G'day Marg

TC has it on-the-button

Lens flare is very noticable where lots of the main subject is darker then the rest, and 'somewhere' in the image is a very bright bit of light. Almost every lens will display flare under some conditions

Some things that can help-
1- remove the UV filter if you have one [put it back later]
2- move the camera further away from the candles & use more zoom to bring the image back to the same size [uses different parts of the zoom lens and will probably give better image]
3- try to bring the candles more into the centre of the image by pointing the camera more towards the candles, and later on, crop the image to put the candles at the lower edge of the photo [bit cumbersome but it works sometimes]

Hope this helps a bit
Regards, Phil

TCav · Jan 16, 2012, 6:11 PM

The advantage of this kind of lens flare is that it's often visible in the viewfinder, but you need to know to look for it. I've seen instances where it only showed up after a very long shutter speed, but at 1/125, you might have had a hint of it before you took the shot.

Now that you know your 50/1.8 can do that, you can be on the lookout for it under similar circumstances.

TCav · Jan 16, 2012, 6:12 PM

BTW, is that candles on a birthday lasagna?

margstamps · Jan 21, 2012, 5:28 PM

It's a cake with strawberry topping on top. :-)

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I do have a filter on my lens. Our next birthday party is in April . . . so I'll give your suggestions a try then!

Thank You. I really appreciate the forum.

TCav · Jan 21, 2012, 6:41 PM

You don't need to wait until April to photograph an off-center candle in a dark room.

margstamps · Jan 21, 2012, 7:21 PM

You're right about that! I'll give it a try. :-)

margstamps · Jan 27, 2012, 6:05 PM

Well, I can't seem to get my filter off. . . . I've had it on for a long time. :-(

Jan 15, 2012, 8:03 PM	#1
margstamps Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 31	candle flames repete above subject I use a canon 40D. Taking lowlight photos with no flash. The flames repeat above the subject. Is this "operator error?" or Is this a problem with my camera. Thanks for any advice. Attached Images

Jan 16, 2012, 6:01 AM	#3
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 11,092	It's a form of lens flare. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%2...2011_-1-19.jpg __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. A good camera helps a good photographer; it doesn't make one. If you're going to use a filter, make it a good one.

Jan 16, 2012, 1:21 PM	#4
Ozzie_Traveller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Australia, New South Wales central coast Posts: 1,198	G'day Marg TC has it on-the-button Lens flare is very noticable where lots of the main subject is darker then the rest, and 'somewhere' in the image is a very bright bit of light. Almost every lens will display flare under some conditions Some things that can help- 1- remove the UV filter if you have one [put it back later] 2- move the camera further away from the candles & use more zoom to bring the image back to the same size [uses different parts of the zoom lens and will probably give better image] 3- try to bring the candles more into the centre of the image by pointing the camera more towards the candles, and later on, crop the image to put the candles at the lower edge of the photo [bit cumbersome but it works sometimes] Hope this helps a bit Regards, Phil __________________ Has Fuji & Lumix superzoom cameras and loves their amazing capabilities Recent images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Jan 16, 2012, 6:11 PM	#5
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 11,092	The advantage of this kind of lens flare is that it's often visible in the viewfinder, but you need to know to look for it. I've seen instances where it only showed up after a very long shutter speed, but at 1/125, you might have had a hint of it before you took the shot. Now that you know your 50/1.8 can do that, you can be on the lookout for it under similar circumstances. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. A good camera helps a good photographer; it doesn't make one. If you're going to use a filter, make it a good one.

Jan 16, 2012, 6:12 PM	#6
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 11,092	BTW, is that candles on a birthday lasagna? __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. A good camera helps a good photographer; it doesn't make one. If you're going to use a filter, make it a good one.

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Jan 16, 2012, 5:07 AM	#2
wave01 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North West England Posts: 1,010	what actually is above her or behind there is also a glass to left

Jan 21, 2012, 5:28 PM	#7
margstamps Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 31	Thanks! It's a cake with strawberry topping on top. :-) Thanks for taking the time to respond. I do have a filter on my lens. Our next birthday party is in April . . . so I'll give your suggestions a try then! Thank You. I really appreciate the forum.

Jan 21, 2012, 6:41 PM	#8
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 11,092	You don't need to wait until April to photograph an off-center candle in a dark room. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. A good camera helps a good photographer; it doesn't make one. If you're going to use a filter, make it a good one.

Jan 21, 2012, 7:21 PM	#9
margstamps Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 31	lens flare You're right about that! I'll give it a try. :-)

Jan 27, 2012, 6:05 PM	#10
margstamps Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 31	Well, I can't seem to get my filter off. . . . I've had it on for a long time. :-(

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