what will help stop this?

[rebelling_lemming]

hi, im having some problems with some night shots, though its not every one. i keep getting these orbs appearing which i think is light from nearby street lights getting into the lens etc. what do you think is causing this and is there any way to stop this? maybe a filter or lens hood?

anyway im using a canon 40d with a 17-85mm f4- 5.6 is usm lens and a uv filter

here are some examples:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3227175498_cfa411c354.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3227363780_d38c95b99f.jpg

cheers for any help and advice, phil

[Hermeto]

Take off the UV filter and flare should be gone..

[20droger]

Those appear to be dust orbs, dust particles relatively close to the camera's optical axis that are lit up by your flash. Very common problem.

Either that or they are the souls of disembodied spirits.

Dust orbs can be drastically reduced by using a flash removed from the optical axis, i.e., an on-shoe or, better yet, an off-camera flash. Never use the pop-up flash.

[jgrussell]

Filters almost always contribute to flare (which is what you're seeing). Take the filter off. If that alone doesn't cure it, use a hood.

[rebelling_lemming]

cheers guys, i checked that there was no dust on the less after them appearing on the first shots and even used my lens pen to check. i was not using a flash just using 30 second exposures. and i was stil picking them up when i took the uv filter off.

went out last night and didnt pick any up. bit of a mystery to me :S

[tonylong]

As others have said, take off the filter; also, nobody has mentioned a lens hood -- if you're not using one, start!

After that, these things can happen and the only thing you can do is either change your position to get wider to the light source, clone it out, or consider it an artistic expression:)!

[Tee Why]

Try out a new lens, usually wider lenses are more prone to flare, so you may never be able to avoid them if you shoot with a lamp near by. Flare control varies from one lens model to another, so if this really bothers you, consider shading with something more substantial than a hood or consider trying out new lenses.