Lens Flare in Sunset or Sunrise shots.

I tend to shoot a lot of sunset shots and lens flare has been a continuing problem for me. I shoot just as the sun is setting or shortly after it sets and often use a neutral density filter (usually a singh-ray reverse grad ND filter).

I've searched the net and these forums and the only tips that I've found have been to:
1) Use a hood, but I shoot straight into the sun (i.e. sun is in the photo and not off to the side), so a hood won't help much.
2) Possibly use larger apertures. However, I like using small apertures to increase my exposure times.
3) Use prime lenses (less elements, so possibly less flare)
4) Make sure all lenses, filters, etc are clean.

Does anybody have any other advice on how to prevent lens flare?
Are certain lenses less prone to flare than others. I use a Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 - mainly because it's the only lens I have right now.
Is there any filter that is designed specifically to reduce flare?

Thanks for any advice.

Oeijur wrote in post #14911382
Are certain lenses less prone to flare than others. I use a Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8

This is the key. Yes, lenses vary in their ability to withstand flare, and unfortunately, the 17-55 IS is a very poor performer when it comes to this particular aspect of image quality. There is not much you can do besides try to not shoot with the sun in the frame if you intend on continuing to use this lens. There are no filters which will reduce flare.

Beg, borrow or steal (well, maybe not steal) a Canon 10-22 and be astounded at how difficult it is to get this lens to flare.

Oeijur wrote in post #14911382
I tend to shoot a lot of sunset shots and lens flare has been a continuing problem for me. I shoot just as the sun is setting or shortly after it sets and often use a neutral density filter (usually a singh-ray reverse grad ND filter).

I've searched the net and these forums and the only tips that I've found have been to:
1) Use a hood, but I shoot straight into the sun (i.e. sun is in the photo and not off to the side), so a hood won't help much.
2) Possibly use larger apertures. However, I like using small apertures to increase my exposure times.
3) Use prime lenses (less elements, so possibly less flare)
4) Make sure all lenses, filters, etc are clean.

Does anybody have any other advice on how to prevent lens flare?
Are certain lenses less prone to flare than others. I use a Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 - mainly because it's the only lens I have right now.
Is there any filter that is designed specifically to reduce flare?

Thanks for any advice.

The one downfall for the 17-55 is that it is prone to flaring. But for that it would be a perfect lens. Putting a filter on also increases the chance for flaring, no matter what brand, when shooting into the sun.

Best bet is what Hollis said... the Canon 10-22 is one of the best zooms ever made for flare resistance, and it does everything else pretty well too. If you shoot a lot of sunsets, this lens should be an automatic buy. And, your current filters for the 17-55 should fit.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll have to save up to buy the Canon 10-22mm.
The funny thing is that I just rented one for a trip I just took and returned it the day before taking the sunrise shots. I was planning on using the 10-22mm I rented to get the shots, but I was too lazy to get up early that day.

a tiny bit of fluffed cotton on a fine wire held out to just cover the sun might just work...experiment with distance from lens to see if it will work for you. (sort of like dodging in the darkroom)

instead of switching gear, switch your approach. dont shoot when the sun is visible, try shooting immediately after the sun has set or risen, you will get better sky colors and you want have that bright point light flaring up your lens and you also have less dynamic range to deal with.

Lets see a shot that you think has too much flare.

You could look for a cheap 28 or 35mm Nikkor & use it with an adapter on the Canon.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #17116322
Lets see a shot that you think has too much flare. You could look for a cheap 28 or 35mm Nikkor & use it with an adapter on the Canon.

The OP was posted two years ago and its author hasn't posted on the forums in a year.

I blame frogpoet for that! ; D

Loving the fluffed cotton idea though!

I try to keep the sun off the center of the shot as close to a corner that I can to reduce the flare and makeup the centering with editing. I am like you I don't have the funding to get a better lens for this purpose.
Where I live the best time for sunset shots is while the sun is just over the horizon morning or evening with sunrise as my best time frame

Haven't posted in a while, but I bought the 10-22mm a year ago and this has been my new goto lens for sunsets, although I have been taking more pictures after the sunsets and facing in the opposite direction (i.e. East for sunsets and west for sunrise to get the golden light).