Question

[Kel08]

HELLO! I am new to this site and I have to say that I love it!

I am still learning a bit about photography and have a silly question for you guys.
Some of my pics have a circle in them, like a sun glare. What is causing this? I have cleaned my lens, maybe I need to do it again. I have a pic that I really like but that spot is dead center and the only way that I have found to correct it effects the brigntness.

Here is the pic.....advice please! Thanks!!!!!!!

[Frog]

It might be sun flare but I don't think so. Looks like dust on your sensor.
Probably doesn't show against bright backgrounds. There are several "clean your sensor" threads in the 'Help' forums and it basically consists of getting a Giotto's Rocket Blower and blowing the dust out.
Basically, take the lens off, use your mirror lockup and blow on the sensor with the rocket blower, being very careful not to touch it. DO NOT use compressed/canned air...too powerful.
Those with more experience than I, may have better tips.
Welcome and good luck!

[SmartWombat]

I agree Kel08, this looks like sun flare.

I don't think it's sensor dust. That shows up as a DARK spot, and it has a definite shape when shooting in light conditions like this, unless the shutter speed is very high and the aperture is wide.
Shooting into the light like this once the aperture reaches f/11 or so the dirt on the sensor shows up as dark blobs with a fairly sharp outline.

This is much more likely to be internal lens reflection.
There at two overlapping coloured circles, one larger than the other.
That is classic of internal reflection.
It might be between the front element of the lens and a UV filter, but I don't think so.

I can see patterns within the circles too that look like specks of dust, that's not uncommon on a P&S zoom camera where the lens goes in and out a lot. I've got dust inside my Panasonic LZ5 that I can't shift at all.
I expectmy 100-400 L zoom will end up like that eventually, because it's a push/pull zoom that sucks and blows air like a concertina bellows. I notice there is dust inside that lens too, between the groups of elements.

I have seem similar white spots where there is dirt on the front of the lens, but in that case there has always been one spot for each piece of dirt, not two overlapping.

I see your main camera in your profile is a DSLR, do you have more than one lens so you can check in future to see if it happens in the same way with more than one lens?

Do you use a lens hood?
If not, I would look into getting one, or shade the lens with your hand to keep the direct sun off it while shooting into the light.

[Frog]

Paul's probably right as he is far more experienced than I.

[Kel08]

Thank you so much for the info.

I was planning on sitting down and really taking a look at the lens tonight. I have had it in a few pics and it really bothers me!

It is a new camera so I dont have another lens to try out. I do have a UV filter on so maybe that is what is causing the problems.

Thanks again for all of the advice!!!!!
Kelly

[freygr]

That is one reason to use lens shades, lens flare. It's not as much of a problem now but with older lenses which are not coated it is a real problem.

[SmartWombat]

OK why are you using a UV filter?
They were useful with film, particularly on sunny days in the shadows.
But not so useful with digital.

The only excuse I can see for them is protection for the front of the lens.
But anything you put in front of the lens is going to affect the image.
Same reason I prefer extension tubes to screw-on closeup lenses.

If you want the protection, then get the best super-multi-coated filter.
They will be expensive, but have far less detrimental effect on the quality.

I've not used one for protection at all, the lens hood does that.

[Kel08]

I actually did put the filter on to protect the lens. my husband told me that I should do it and I did. I am def taking it off though b/c it was a MESS when I took it off to clean last night. It does seem to collect dust very easily. Also after thinking about it, the spot didn't show up until after I put that on. Sucks too b/c I FINALLY got a shot of both my kids together and it had it on there.

I am defiantely going to be looking for a lens hood very soon!
STILL LEARNING! LOL

Thanks