is this lens flare?

[joeq]

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i'm shooting with an m6 and a 35mm lens and i notice some light spots on the right side of the frame. can someone please take a look at the following link and weigh in?

 

would a lens shade - or whatever they're called - do the trick? for what it's worth, it's not on every frame... so my gut is that it's not a light leak on the camera.

 

thanks.

 

joequint.com/leicatest

[Peyton Hoge]

What's the link?

[joeq]

it was after the 'thanks'

 

joequint.com/leicatest

 

i didn't use the html formatting in my post... thanks.

 

 

 

What's the link?

[aesop]

...you need to try another lens on that body to narrow down the variables.

[joeq]

sadly, that's the only lens i have.

 

 

...you need to try another lens on that body to narrow down the variables.

[ndjambrose]

I don't think it is flare, although it looks like it.

 

Typically flare causes loss of contrast in certain areas of the image (very like what you have in the bottom right of each frame). And yes, a lens hood prevents it.

 

But flare depends primarily on directional light or strong difference in relative light sources in the same frame. You have to shoot into the light, or at an oblique angle to the light, and the light source has to be strong enough to cause contrast difference. But your images appear to be made in flat, even overcast lighting with no evident light direction at all.

 

Since the affected area is always in the same part of the image I'd look for either a light leak or signs of excessive polishing on the lens. Light leaks don't show on every frame - only on ones where the light source is in a certain direction relative to the leaking area - so you can't rule them out yet.

[joeq]

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interesting - thanks.

 

what does the fact that it's not on all my images do to the theory?

 

 

I don't think it is flare, although it looks like it.

 

Typically flare causes loss of contrast in certain areas of the image (very like what you have in the bottom right of each frame). And yes, a lens hood prevents it.

 

But flare depends primarily on directional light or strong difference in relative light sources in the same frame. You have to shoot into the light, or at an oblique angle to the light, and the light source has to be strong enough to cause contrast difference. But your images appear to be made in flat, even overcast lighting with no evident light direction at all.

 

Since the affected area is always in the same part of the image I'd look for either a light leak or signs of excessive polishing on the lens. Light leaks don't show on every frame - only on ones where the light source is in a certain direction relative to the leaking area - so you can't rule them out yet.

[ndjambrose]

interesting - thanks.

 

what does the fact that it's not on all my images do to the theory?

 

Nothing at all yet -- see my last line.

 

You need to do some testing for light leaks. Perhaps the easiest way is to seal the camera with tape and shoot a roll in bright sunlight and then see if the problem is still visible on that roll. If not, then it was a leak. If it is, then look for something else (as long as your sealing was good). And a visual inspection of the lens under strong light will show if you the lens has been over-polished.

[joeq]

so where would you put the tape then?

 

Nothing at all yet -- see my last line.

 

You need to do some testing for light leaks. Perhaps the easiest way is to seal the camera with tape and shoot a roll in bright sunlight and then see if the problem is still visible on that roll. If not, then it was a leak. If it is, then look for something else (as long as your sealing was good). And a visual inspection of the lens under strong light will show if you the lens has been over-polished.

[ndjambrose]

so where would you put the tape then?

 

Where the bottom cover joins the body and over all the hinges of the back. Basically all the joins. Although the location of the affected area points towards the bottom right of the back cover, so special attention needed in that area.

[joeq]

i'll give it a shot - thanks.

 

Where the bottom cover joins the body and over all the hinges of the back. Basically all the joins. Although the location of the affected area points towards the bottom right of the back cover, so special attention needed in that area.

[Xmas]

Hi

 

Suggest you need to look at the negative with a loupe or scan the negative including the rebate, a rebate leak or clear allows elimination of source.

 

Please publish several examples.

 

Because it is a 'light' 'white' problem it is the front of the film that is being illuminated.

 

It might be bad capping, i.e. the gap between the blinds, too wide at the start of the wind sequence. Try removing the back and seeing if you can detect any leakage, through the gap.

 

You did not say which 35m lens you were using, some are flare kings, i.e. hood absolutely necessary, but this does not look like flare.

 

Noel

[NZDavid]

I don't think it's flare either, could well be right part of the image is slightly underexposed caused by a faulty shutter. I'd try one more film to be sure; otherwise send the camera in for servicing. On the bright side you won't need a new lens!

[rob_x2004]

On the bridge shot the effect is running top to bottom fairly parallel to the RHS of image, and there are no arcs in the pattern so I would be with David. And it may only be at certain shutter speeds, or only presenting at higher shutter speeds. Also remember your neg is inverted etc.

[pgk]

Very odd!

 

It doesn't look right to me for simple lens flare although it could be an odd internal reflection. Is the lens using a hood and filter? Try shooting with and without to see if this changes anything.

 

It might be a light leak To check, you can try wrapping the camera in cooking (aluminium) foil which is cheap, readily available and easy to do, and try identical shot with and without foil wrapping. Is there any sign of darkening on the negatives outside the frame itself? - If so they its probably a light leak.

 

Then again it could be an erratic, unevenly running shutter - you will need a repairer to check this - which camera model are you using? In shot 4 the man to the lower right illustrates very lowered contrast whilst above him does not which might indicate a dragging shutter blind?

[earleygallery]

There have been cases of light leaks coming from the viewfinder area, internally down into the film chamber, but all cases I've seen show fairly distinct 'spots' over severe over exposure, however the light in the image appears to be dull so maybe it was enough to fog the film.

 

I think you need to go through all possibilities in a process of elimination following the advice already given, not excluding the processing stage.

 

Good luck.