50mm f1.8 low-light shot, w/ "ghosting" of ...

[piku]

just came from the angels vs red sox game at anaheim. no zoom lenses yet, so i just had the 50mm. i took the shot below around 8pm pst. as you can see there's somewhat of a "ghosting" that is occuring on the left of the arrowhead ad. i'm just wondering if its because of the hand-held shot, the un filter i had on, the 50mm, etc etc. if you can please throw some suggestions on what it might be (hopefully not the lenses), that would be great. TIA

http://sixdegreesapart.com/lab/images/IMG_0762.jpg (~500kB)


Shooting Mode
Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/160
Av( Aperture Value )
2.8
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
+2/3
ISO Speed
100
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Manual Focus
Parameters
Contrast +1
Sharpness +1
Color saturation +1
Color tone Normal

[drisley]

Im 99% sure it is the "uv" filter.
That is why I dont use them and only the lens hood.

[polloloco81]

Yah, don't ever use filters if you're taking shots in low light. Cheap coated glass can cause reflections.

[piku]

ok, big sign of relief. i thought i'd had to send something in for repair ^^

what uv filter do you guys recommend (ie for 50mm f1.8 at least)??? TIA

[drisley]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=12467& is=REG

[piku]

well, since i'ma prolly get something for the first time from b&h. i was looking to get a new lens cleaning kit, and a tripod. any suggestions? TIA

[drisley]

To me putting a UV filter on a nice lens to protect it is like putting plastic sofa covers on your expensive leather sofa to protect it. Sure it will last longer, but you never get to experience the high quality of the product.

I beleive in using the lens hood all the time. Not only does it protect the lens, it actually can improve image quality by preventing flare and increasing contrast. I also treat my lenses with great care.

UV filters, even the best multicoated ones, will always cause atleast a minimal image degradation, and cause flare and ghosting that the expensive lens was designed to prevent (particularly in situations like the one you were in above).

Many will disagree and use expensive multicoated filters on their lenses all the time. If that is the case, I would still suggest you remove the uv filter for night shots.

I would probably only use a uv filter to protect my lens in extreme conditions, like maybe if I was at a beach and it was very windy. That might be a good place.

[ron chappel]

Me too i must admit-i never use filters.
Basically i just use a lens cap,a hood or just try not to mark the glass.
Often i have to blow off dust or clean off a fingerprint but i can honestly say i have only scratched lenses several times in the 1000's of times i've used them.

[ron chappel]

But i must add that i am rather carefull with expensive lenses :shock: :D

[msvadi]

It looks like protection filters are not very popular here. I use Hoya multicoated (HMC) and super multicoated (S-HMC) UV filters all the time. I have not noticed yet the effect of filters on image quality. On the other hand, I see how much dust/dirt filters collect. I don't want it to be on lenses, it's much simpler to clean/replace filters.

For my main portrait lens, I'm thinking about getting a skylight filter instead of the UV for the warming effect.

I also use lens hoods all the time, except with the 50mm 1.8, I don't really think it needs a hood.

[Tom W]

well, since i'ma prolly get something for the first time from b&h. i was looking to get a new lens cleaning kit, and a tripod. any suggestions? TIA

Get the Giotto rocket blower, and a Kodak camel hair brush. I use Kimwipes EX-L delicate task wipes (non-dusting) with lens cleaning fluid to clean when necessary. This stuff is all available at B&H.

Final point, don't clean unless they need cleaning.

[Tom W]

It looks like protection filters are not very popular here. I use Hoya multicoated (HMC) and super multicoated (S-HMC) UV filters all the time. I have not noticed yet the effect of filters on image quality. On the other hand, I see how much dust/dirt filters collect. I don't want it to be on lenses, it's much simpler to clean/replace filters.

For my main portrait lens, I'm thinking about getting a skylight filter instead of the UV for the warming effect.

I also use lens hoods all the time, except with the 50mm 1.8, I don't really think it needs a hood.

The 50/1.8 (IIRC) has a fairly well-recessed front element, but if you park a filter on the front of it, you are putting your glass right out where the sun or other bright light sources can affect image quality. So I guess if you're going to put a filter out front, you need to either keep bright light sources behind the front plane of the lens or use a hood.

[JoeTampa]

I use UV filters on all my moderate to expensive lenses, and have shot the same scenes with and without, and haven't noticed any difference. I am using Hoya filters. On the "nifty-fifty", I don't bother, as the filter cost is roughly that of the lens. I also do not bother on the 50mm macro, which is seldom used, and usually in calm, controlled circumstances. But the 100-400L, 16-35L, and 28-200 all have filters.


- Joe