Circles on images...reflections?

I was curious to see what kind of results I would get when it's pouring rain. Taken from an upstairs open window.

About 1/2 of the images have white circles as you see here - the other 1/2 don't. I'm including a sample of each.

Are these reflections? All shot in pouring rain. Some circles are very bright - others dull. It has nothing to do with the lens (85mm/f1.8), right? :confused:

The dog is the neighbor's police dog (neighbor is a cop) having a boring day.

Thanks
Liz

It's just lens flare Liz, a hood will take care of it. :)

Thanks Sebastian - the following is probably a stupid question. :rolleyes:
Actually I haven't gotten a hood for this lens ......yet!

Lens flare: does the rain have anything to do with the flare? Or is it just where the light is hitting the lens?

The reason I'm asking is because I've used this lens quite a bit, especially lately. There were times I was sure I'd have some flare because some were shot with the sun on the left or right side of lens - circumstances where I've gotten flare with other lenses.

This is the first time I've had flare with this lens.

Liz

Not a stupid question at all. it does depend on where the light hits the lens. And yes, it can be amplified by drops being on the front element.

Notice the shape of the flare, it has eight sharply defined sides, just like your aperture blades.

"Notice the shape of the flare, it has eight sharply defined sides, just like your aperture blades."

I wondered about the octagonal shape of the "circles" :rolleyes:
I learned something new and worthwhile today, Sebastian. Thanks!

Well, I was inside, so no drops on the lens. Thank Heavens! :D

Liz

I wonder if the Dog was thinking about "Singing in the Rain".

Liz, remember, no question asked is a silly question, it is the questions that aren't asked that are the silly questions.

The Heavens certainly seemed to have opened up over there, wish it would come to this side of the world, we are desperate for rain here in New South Wales, main dams are now under 50% full and dropping daily by about 60,000 swimming pools.