False sun and moon halo?

[ousoonermet]

Hello,

New to the forum and need a question answered. I take a lot of sky images, and every time the moon or sun is in the photo I get a false halo (green and red) around them. I'm using the 300D with stock lens. Any ideas what this artifact is? It has appeared in sunset images, and while shooting atmospheric optical events such as sundogs and halos.

Thanks,
Todd

[R Hardman]

Could you post an example? Could be a number of things...

[ousoonermet]

Here are two examples:

http://home.grandecom.net/~claire/examlpes.html

[soupdragon]

I think the first one is lens flare.
The second one looks like water vapour so probably is not false, in fact I've seen this without using a camera.
Regards the flare, this is common place when shooting into the sun, using lens filters can, in some instances, make this worse.

[ousoonermet]

I know the "halo" in the second shot looks natural (i.e. like a corona), but it is not. If you look closely at it, it has the same color patter as the previous only fainter.

Todd

[R Hardman]

As stated above the 1st one is lens flare. The 2nd.. Good catch of ice crystals in the atmosphere with the halo and the sun dog.

[R Hardman]

Do you have another lens? If not I would take more shots at various apertures/ISO/etc.. to see if it goes away or changes in any way. You could try taking a picture of a bright street light to see if you can re-create it.

[Dante King]

It's the nature of THAT lens, IMHO. Welcome to POTN forums!!!!!!

[twalker294]

By "stock lens" I assume you are talking about the 18-55 kit lens. If so, that's the problem -- its a $100 lens and behaves like one. Yes they are capable of nice shots but with a cheap lens flare is a problem.

[Tom W]

All lenses can produce flare, some under more stringent conditions than others. The 18-55 is more susceptable to flare than average, but still isn't horrible.

If you are using a filter, that can contribute to the flare. Sometimes, removing the filter will eliminate the flare issue entirely.

[EXA1a]

No, that's NOT normal for the cheap kit lens. Its optical quality is pretty good. It's NOT normal flare. However, I've read a while ago that certain lenses of the Kit series have this problem and Canon is replacing them.
--Jens--

[Jon]

In both examples, the sun's coming through clouds, so I'd certainly peg the clouds as a contributing factor ("ring around the moon" phenomenon). Examples where there aren't thin clouds in front of the sun/moon/light source?

[ousoonermet]

In response to Jens comments, what steps should I take to get it replaced? I took the camera/lens out today to test on the sun in clear skies and the same artifact was there as bright as could be. Actually visible in the view finder!

Todd

[KaplanMultimedia]

I think the first one is lens flare.
The second one looks like water vapour so probably is not false, in fact I've seen this without using a camera.
Regards the flare, this is common place when shooting into the sun, using lens filters can, in some instances, make this worse.

I have seen this before. I'm pretty sure the problem with these shots is accentuated because of the filter on your camera. Try taking it off and try again. I'm pretty sure you'll have less of these halos.

[EXA1a]

Todd,
In a German photoforum I found back a thread describing exactly this phenomenon:
http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/266-l.jpg
This guy talked to the Canon support, sent in his lens and received a new one back which didn't show these halos. The problem was described as "coating defect".
Good luck
--Jens--

[ousoonermet]

The photos I posted were all taken without a filter of any type, so that is not the issue. Thanks for the info Jens. I took the camera and lens to a local Canon dealership today, and tried an identical lens. No halo with that lens on my camera. I think I will be sending in to Canon hopefuly for a replacement.

Todd

[Tlee05]

The basic lens though does get lens flare easy,

[ousoonermet]

I took new shots tonight of a street light from my backyard. I attached them to the bottom of the webpage examples:

http://home.grandecom.net/~claire/examlpes.html

I think it is clear I need to have this looked into.

Todd

[MattyB]

wow, thats strange. i have no idea what it could be, but it looks cool, and before you get it 'fixed', i'd experiment and take some other shots :D

like, a bunch of lights trailing down the road with rings around them, or the reflection of the sun on something

[R Hardman]

After seeing the street light images somthing is really out of wack with your lens. My guess is that your lens elements are not in the correct position creating the prism effect. Return it.

[Tom W]

After seeing the streetlight shots, I agree that there's a problem with the lens. That is some serious flare. You may have an element or two that was improperly coated. At any rate, the lens needs to be looked at or replaced.

[jdbyrnes]

Wow.. That's a screwed up lens. That is certainly not typical. Return it.

[ousoonermet]

Just a quick update. The lens came back from the Canon service center, and the problem appears to be resolved. They replaced the rear cell. Thanks for all on this list that provided feedback and suggestions.

Todd

[Tom W]

Glad to hear that you got the issue sorted out. :)