Is this Lens Flare, or Something Else?

Hi All,

Just started shooting with a DSLR (XT), and I'd never had this happen to me with my Pro1 or G3, after shooting many sunsets. My question is regarding the vertical reflection comming from the sun. I can't quite figure out if it is lens flare, or a result of the F stop I chose (F5.6 @ 1/4000 sec). I have heard that choosing a smaller aperture when night shooting produces a star patterns on lights, and I'm wondering if this is something similar. I am also using a multicoated Hoya UV filter.

Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks ............

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

f/5.6 shouldn't produce a pattern like that Andy. The only thing I can think of would be from wiping your filter. If you wiped it with one horizontal swipe, it would create a vertical diffraction pattern like that. Alternatively, it might be a fault on the sensor.

Paul

I think that filter has to be the main contributor to the vertical rays, which seem more pronounced than the other 4 rays of the 6 pointed pattern.

Hmm didn't see those. What about a malfunction of the shutter blades with two closing more than the others??

Thanks Gents! In retrospect, I also think it is the filter. I'll be trying again over the next few days without the filter, and I'll post again.

Thanks again.