What is this?

Could anyone tell me what would cause this weird darkness at the left side of this image? It was taken with my new 5D MKII so I need to make sure it isn't a camera defect. Could it be my lens?? Never had it happen with my 50D.

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

Did you by any chance have a petal-type lens hood mounted 90 degrees rotated? (The short petals should be at the side, long ones top/bottom.)

-js

number six wrote in post #9982540
Did you by any chance have a petal-type lens hood mounted 90 degrees rotated? (The short petals should be at the side, long ones top/bottom.)

-js

hmmm...good question...i don't think so, but i can't honestly say no. i did have the hood with me...i'll have to think about it. could it be vignetting??

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #9982561
hmmm...good question...i don't think so, but i can't honestly say no. i did have the hood with me...i'll have to think about it. could it be vignetting??

That was my guess. Of course, it isn't lens vignetting - that shows up in the corners.

Time for some controlled tests, eh?

-js

My line of thinking also.... and because I've caused a very similiar effect myself by accidentally bumping the petal hood and rotating it off center.

I've also caused that effect by holding onto one side of the hood in an attempt to create a larger sunshade from glare. If it were something inside the lens or body of the camera I believe that shadow would be sharp edged and not fuzzy as it is. I suspect it's external.

number six wrote in post #9982568
That was my guess. Of course, it isn't lens vignetting - that shows up in the corners.

Time for some controlled tests, eh?

-js

sapearl wrote in post #9982615
MIf it were something inside the lens or body of the camera I believe that shadow would be sharp edged and not fuzzy as it is. I suspect it's external.

Yep. Try this - take the lens off entirely and shoot a test shot. It won't be in focus, of course, but shouldn't show that line unless the problem is with the body.

-js

Strap hanging in the frame maybe?

Jay - another excellent suggestion, and also a good description of one of my other famous picture taking techniques. Done that too; strap is around my neck, I move too quickly for a grab shot, the strap flops off to the side...... but not entirely....

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9982633
Strap hanging in the frame maybe?

sapearl wrote in post #9982671
Jay - another excellent suggestion, and also a good description of one of my other famous picture taking techniques. Done that too; strap is around my neck, I move too quickly for a grab shot, the strap flops off to the side...... but not entirely....

IMO, the collective "hive mind" is one of the best aspects of POTN.

At one time or another, we've each done something that someone else will eventually do (again.)

I LOVE that concept of yours Jay - that's just too funny . Jay Beckman, discoverer of the the POTN Collective Hive Mind!

But in spite of all our little esoteric redundancies in photographic technique, I'll bet that NOBODY has ever done this one: I was shooting a wedding about 25 years ago and always had a hand held light meter close by for portrait and other metering. Rather than keep it in my pocket, I'd clipped to to one of those Sears Craftsmen spring loaded key returns.

That's the little gizomo that clips onto your belt and holds a bunch of keys dangling at your waist. Without having to unclip it, you just pull the key out to the end of the chain and unlock a door. School janitors use them a lot. It automatically retracts when you are done.

So I had this bride sitting in a chair by some beautiful north window light. I step close, pull the meter out to the end of the chain..... just a little bit.... too ...... far....... and....

The Craftsmen comes unclipped from my belt - and launches itself into the nose of the young lady.

Fortunately there was no blood or bruise - just shocked dismay. She was very understanding though, lucky for me. The Craftsmen was retired after that job, back to the basement workshop.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9982751
IMO, the collective "hive mind" is one of the best aspects of POTN.

At one time or another, we've each done something that someone else will eventually do (again.)

I think that takes the Cake. Ouch.

Better your bruised ego than her busted beak!

sapearl wrote in post #9982814
I LOVE that concept of yours Jay - that's just too funny . Jay Beckman, discoverer of the the POTN Collective Hive Mind!

But in spite of all our little esoteric redundancies in photographic technique, I'll bet that NOBODY has ever done this one: I was shooting a wedding about 25 years ago and always had a hand held light meter close by for portrait and other metering. Rather than keep it in my pocket, I'd clipped to to one of those Sears Craftsmen spring loaded key returns.

That's the little gizomo that clips onto your belt and holds a bunch of keys dangling at your waist. Without having to unclip it, you just pull the key out to the end of the chain and unlock a door. School janitors use them a lot. It automatically retracts when you are done.

So I had this bride sitting in a chair by some beautiful north window light. I step close, pull the meter out to the end of the chain..... just a little bit.... too ...... far....... and....

The Craftsmen comes unclipped from my belt - and launches itself into the nose of the young lady.

Fortunately there was no blood or bruise - just shocked dismay. She was very understanding though, lucky for me. The Craftsmen was retired after that job, back to the basement workshop.

That's funny. Think of it this way... you gave her a wedding story to tell.

It could potentially be a faulty shutter, but do some more test shots at various shutter speeds first. If you were using off camera flash it could be sync speed - but you weren't so it's not.

I hear you Ken - I think my motto back then was: "I'll give give you those special memories of your wedding day...."

photoguy6405 wrote in post #9983324
That's funny. Think of it this way... you gave her a wedding story to tell.

number six wrote in post #9982630
Yep. Try this - take the lens off entirely and shoot a test shot. It won't be in focus, of course, but shouldn't show that line unless the problem is with the body.

-js

I'll try that.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9982633
Strap hanging in the frame maybe?

Since I got my BlackRapid R Strap I haven't had that problem. Was constantly having my Cnaon strap get in my way (or vice versa!).

sapearl wrote in post #9982814
I LOVE that concept of yours Jay - that's just too funny . Jay Beckman, discoverer of the the POTN Collective Hive Mind!

But in spite of all our little esoteric redundancies in photographic technique, I'll bet that NOBODY has ever done this one: I was shooting a wedding about 25 years ago and always had a hand held light meter close by for portrait and other metering. Rather than keep it in my pocket, I'd clipped to to one of those Sears Craftsmen spring loaded key returns.

That's the little gizomo that clips onto your belt and holds a bunch of keys dangling at your waist. Without having to unclip it, you just pull the key out to the end of the chain and unlock a door. School janitors use them a lot. It automatically retracts when you are done.

So I had this bride sitting in a chair by some beautiful north window light. I step close, pull the meter out to the end of the chain..... just a little bit.... too ...... far....... and....

The Craftsmen comes unclipped from my belt - and launches itself into the nose of the young lady.

Fortunately there was no blood or bruise - just shocked dismay. She was very understanding though, lucky for me. The Craftsmen was retired after that job, back to the basement workshop.

That gets a great big O>>M>>G!!! I would have died! (if I were the photog, not the bride!)