is this an example of "flare" caused by dust?

No.
 
if its not flare what is it? could it be a reflection of something shiny?
 
oh it is 'flare', but what has caused it is unlikely to be a spec of dust, although could feasibly be a 'greasy smear' on lens. However, more likely to be simply the angle of lens to an obviously low, angled sun or a bit of light bounce created by a filter if you have one on, or even light bouncing around from the viewfinder into the camer [less likely, thats more likely at night time but not impossible]. In other words, there are many variables that can cause flare, and it shows itself in many different ways, that is just one of them.
 
topcat07 said:
if its not flare what is it? could it be a reflection of something shiny?
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Just internal reflections within the lens. Even the very best lenses will do that if you point them near something very bright like that low sun. It will vary with focal length and aperture. A lens hood will help prevent it.

Flare comes in many shapes and sizes, but that kind of coloured pattern always appears on the diagonally opposite side to the light that's causing it.
 
HoppyUK said:
Just internal reflections within the lens. Even the very best lenses will do that if you point them near something very bright like that low sun. It will vary with focal length and aperture. A lens hood will help prevent it.

Flare comes in many shapes and sizes, but that kind of coloured pattern always appears on the diagonally opposite side to the light that's causing it.
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always see people walking about with the lens hood on and never knew what it was for brilliant
 
your all wonderfully helpful would be so stuck on things without you all
 
topcat07 said:
always see people walking about with the lens hood on and never knew what it was for brilliant
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Even worse, you often see people wandering about with a protection filter on the front and no lens hood - that really is asking for flare problems.

Don't expect miracle from most lens hoods on a zoom though. They can only ever be optimum at shortest focal length, though they're always great physical protection.

One easy method is to shade the lens with your hand while looking through the viewfinder so you can keep it just out of shot. A piece of black card can be extremely effective used in the same way.
 
HoppyUK said:
Even worse, you often see people wandering about with a protection filter on the front and no lens hood - that really is asking for flare problems.

Don't expect miracle from most lens hoods on a zoom though. They can only ever be optimum at shortest focal length, though they're always great physical protection.

One easy method is to shade the lens with your hand while looking through the viewfinder so you can keep it just out of shot. A piece of black card can be extremely effective used in the same way.
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Good luck using a hood with filters. Us who use a filter set are screwed haha
 
barratt1988 said:
Good luck using a hood with filters. Us who use a filter set are screwed haha
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?? :shrug: I pressume Hoppy is talking about screw in circular filters [as opposed to square ones that sit in a mount] where you can use a lens hood with the majority.
 
HoppyUK said:
Don't expect miracle from most lens hoods on a zoom though. They can only ever be optimum at shortest focal length, though they're always great physical protection.
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Unless you're using the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L - the Mk I version - where (a) the lens zooms inside the hood and (b) the lens is longer at the widest focal length and shorter at the longest focal length; consequently the hood offers optimal flare protection at all focal lengths.
 
StewartR said:
Unless you're using the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L - the Mk I version - where (a) the lens zooms inside the hood and (b) the lens is longer at the widest focal length and shorter at the longest focal length; consequently the hood offers optimal flare protection at all focal lengths.
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True. Nikon's 24-70/2.8 works in a similar way, and so does their wonderful 14-24/2.8. But that's maybe three out of many hundreds.

On the other hand, here's my 'zooming' lens hood on Canon 70-200/4, made of cardboard, black felt and gaffa tape :lol: A bit cumbersome so I only use it in the studio but it's very effective :D

Hood at 160mm (about max)
untitled-9655.jpg


Hood at 80mm (min)
untitled-9656.jpg
 
Yv said:
:lol: now thats a proper photographer for you folks!! Forget GAS, Blue Peter should be your inspiration. Love it Richard :thumbs:
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Thanks Yv :) Kind of a bit of fun, and always a talking point, but it works really well with bright white backgrounds etc :lol:

It's based on a cheapy replica hood off Amazon, lined inside with sticky-back black felt, and slides on the smooth Weetabix cardboard against a felt and corrugated cardboard sleeve. It actually took me a whole day to make with a lot of time getting all the dimensions optimum, so in reality my most expensive lens hood :eek:
 
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