Easy Exposure - Topic: Help!!!

Mandrake on Help!!!

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 10:04:17 -0700

I'm going with Lens Flare.

I did a google Image search on "lens flare" and came up with
a number of images with the aperture blade shape (some 6 sided and some 8 sided).

Also.. as you mention that there is a particular location where you've been having a lot of these problems,
I'm thinking it might be the same nearby light source that is causing the flare, perhaps the brightly lit
boats or buildings themselves.

The 18-55 doesn't come with a real hood, but I do think that they're available.

nikonguy on Help!!!

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 09:27:23 -0700

Good suggestion Mandrake.
I only have the 18-55mm and 35mm lenses for the Nikon
so I'll try the 35 on it and take some night shots in the same
location I've been having a lot of these problems.
It really looks like the blades from the lens in the pic I posted.
I think the 18-55 has 8 blades and that seems to be what's showing
up on the image.
The "large smudges" do seem to show up in the same general location.
Will wait to see what happens with the 35mm - possibly early in the morning
and I'll let you know what happens.
By the way, the 18-55 does have a small lens hood and it is on the lens.
Same with the 35mm.

Mandrake on Help!!!

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:44:48 -0700

Some questions:

Have you tried duplicating the problem with other lenses?

Maybe lens flare... Have you tried a hood?

Do the spots always show up on the same relative location of the image?
As would dust or oil spots vs flare spots.

nikonguy on Help!!!

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:30:17 -0700

Whenever I take long exposures I see these large orbs
in several places in the sky. I can deal with small oil or
dirt spots but these things are ridiculous!

Can anybody offer any advice as to what is causing this
and - is there a way to correct the problem while taking
long night exposures?
By the way - Please don't critique this image - I purposely
blew the highlights big time to emphasize the problem.
Sometimes there are several large orbs visible - this one definitely
looks like my lens aperature due to the shape. Usually they just look like
large light smudges (about same size as one in this pic.)
Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks...Dale.