Lens Flare

[Graham.J]

What's the best way to get rid of this?

I have a Fuji FinePix 2800Z digi cam and am getting quite into nature/wildlife photography but have a problem with sunsets and other shots where the sun is involved, my latest being here.

I think the little red flare spoils that photo but I can't do anything about it. This picture has about 8 variations where I've tried to get rid of much of the flare as possible, I succeeded in the end and it didn't spoil the shot that much.

I quite like snapping sunsets as there are a few nice places near me, but I really need something to remove some of the sun's glare as I get red dots in the shape of a cross (here)

Can I buy something that clips onto the lens and helps remove the amount of flare that I get?

Thanks in advance,

Graham

>>> Edited by Graham.J on Thursday 11th December 00:59

[sparkyjohn]

If there's a lens hood available for your camera that would certainly help. I've got a catalogue of digital camera accs. I'll take a look tmw

[Graham.J]

Cheers, much appreciated

[simpo two]

The first two links are not actually lens flare at all. It is nature's 'ray tracing' - ie you see the rays of light because they are passing through a translucent medium, in this case mist. People would pay a lot to get those kind of shots! If you don't like it, wait until the mist clears!

The red dots in pic 3 are flare, and it's caused by reflections (refractions?) from the elements inside your lens. It will reduce if your lens has fewer elements, ie a 'standard' prime lens. It's a risk whenever the sun is in or close to the field of view. In the latter case, a lens hood (or even a hand held above the lens) will help a lot and improve contrast.

Hope this helps.

[Graham.J]

The first one looks just like the red dots in the last one, just a little fainter due to the tree and the mist in the way instead of coming straight from the sun to the lens.

I'm very pleased with the second shot, as I said, there are about 8 variations of it where I was trying to get rid of the lens flare, I seem to have suceeded in the last one and am pleased with it.

I have found that holding my hand up does work quite well, but I always get my hand appearing in the shot, maybe if I zoomed in I would get rid of the hand

Cheers,

Graham

[simpo two]

Graham.J said:

The first one looks just like the red dots in the last one, just a little fainter due to the tree and the mist in the way instead of coming straight from the sun to the lens.

Ah. I was so impressed with the sun and the mist I didn't spot it.

Graham.J said:

but I always get my hand appearing in the shot, maybe if I zoomed in I would get rid of the hand

Yes, but you'll compromise the composition you wanted. Try looking through the viewfinder/screen more closely to make sure you have a 'handsfree' pic (pun unintentional but quite good!)
I think that if the sun is in shot, there's not much more you can do.

[Graham.J]

simpo two said:

Ah. I was so impressed with the sun and the mist I didn't spot it.

No worries, my Mum didn't spot it either, depends if you're looking for it really.

simpo two said:

Yes, but you'll compromise the composition you wanted. Try looking through the viewfinder/screen more closely to make sure you have a 'handsfree' pic (pun unintentional but quite good!) I think that if the sun is in shot, there's not much more you can do.

You're right, I think I'll have to try and find a hood for it and see what it's like after that.

[Alien]

Use a lens hood, use a prime lens, use a lens with better quality multicoating, or if all else fails use a pinhole camera

[Graham.J]

Don't think I can change the lens

[Alien]

Oh come on, where's your adventurous spirit, not to mention your screwdrivers, hacksaw and crazy glue

[AllTorque]

Lovely pics Graham, especially the first one. Can't say the lens flare bothers me too much, but I'm not a pro.

[simpo two]

Ah, I can see it now!

[Graham.J]

simpo two said:

Ah, I can see it now!

AllTorque said:

Lovely pics Graham, especially the first one. Can't say the lens flare bothers me too much, but I'm not a pro.

I'm far from pro, not had the camera long and never done any sort of photography before.

[simpo two]

I think the most important thing is having an eye for a shot and getting the composition: it's instinctive. After that, learning how to capture it - ie using the shiny box - is just a learning process. Seems like you're well on your way!

[Graham.J]

Thank you, I'm really pleased with the camera and the quality of the pictures I'm getting, just need to learn how to use it properly

[te51cle]

Making sure that the lens is spotlessly clean will help reduce flare in conjunction with the hood. But the hood won't do you any good if you point the camera directly at the sun ! Try to find an angle that hides the sun behind something solid like a tree trunk, that'll help a bit.