What filter would help here?
Discussion
I walked outside the other night and thought this might make a good picture of the house. however, whatever I did (not much being a novice!) the lights have rings around them. This is a sample of one of the better pictures.
It appears to me that a night shot with lights is very difficult unless you know what you're doing...............and that where you guys come in!
Any ideas please?
Taken with a 300d & 18-55mm
Exposure 20 secs f/8.0
ISO 200
It appears to me that a night shot with lights is very difficult unless you know what you're doing...............and that where you guys come in!
Any ideas please?
Taken with a 300d & 18-55mm
Exposure 20 secs f/8.0
ISO 200
Edited by mogul on Monday 11th September 19:54
Zad said:
Interesting that the green and red semi-circles are clearly defined, and not a broader spectrum. I wonder if it is generated within the actual CCD sensor itself rather them in the optics. Have you tried it at other aperture settings?
The answer to that question is as a complete amateur I was using shutter priority and hoping the aperture would keep up, so I probably did use lots of settings! However, the picture was then either wildly over or under exposed.
I then came to the conclusion that it must be a filter problem
. If you want to take this kind of picture at night what would be a good starting point? Having moved a little while ago to a digital SLR it has become apparent I know nothing about taking pictures!
te51cle said:
Cokin will sell you a diffraction filter that will help you create that effect, don't think you'll be able to remove it with another one.
Question: How clean is you lens/front filter ? CAn't help wondering if you've got a fine mist or smear on there somewhere, or a bit of moisture.
Question: How clean is you lens/front filter ? CAn't help wondering if you've got a fine mist or smear on there somewhere, or a bit of moisture.
I took the camera out and did leave it mounted on a tripod for several minutes to ensure any moisture on the outside of the lens has gone. Not sure how clean it is to start with, but it looks OK!
656 said:
UKBob said:
656 said:
mogul said:
Taken with a 300d & 18-55mm
SAys it all. You should have got a Nikon. The glass is superior
But Canon glass is inferior
J
joust said:
The 18-55 is a £25 lens
And a Canon. 'Nuff said.
In all seriousness though, try stopping it right down to f/22 or something. That is certainly odd behaviour, and looks like something out of a phone camera. Could something be faulty with your 300D?
But then again, it is a Canon.
Some positive answers.................and some not quite so positive!
But thanks for all of the comments
As I mentioned, I'm fairly new to this digital SLR thing and it is apparent that the equipment varies and the fact that you think you have a better camera than a point and shoot doesn't actually mean you do have the ability to take better pictures!
It may only be a Canon but the results I'm getting on the whole are pretty good, obviously a decent lens will make a big difference but again it's knowing which to buy and will they really improve my shots?
If the weather's kind tonight I'll take some more and get back to you.
But thanks for all of the comments
As I mentioned, I'm fairly new to this digital SLR thing and it is apparent that the equipment varies and the fact that you think you have a better camera than a point and shoot doesn't actually mean you do have the ability to take better pictures!
It may only be a Canon but the results I'm getting on the whole are pretty good, obviously a decent lens will make a big difference but again it's knowing which to buy and will they really improve my shots?
If the weather's kind tonight I'll take some more and get back to you.
Edited by mogul on Tuesday 12th September 17:37
mogul said:
It may only be a 
but the results I'm getting on the whole are pretty good, obviously a decent lens will make a big difference but again it's knowing which to buy and will they really improve my shots?
but the results I'm getting on the whole are pretty good, obviously a decent lens will make a big difference but again it's knowing which to buy and will they really improve my shots?Mogul, the results of any photo are 95% photographer and 5% equipment, as long as the equipment is not so bad that it limits the photographer tremendously. In your case, this situation does not apply. What you are seeing in that particular photo is a stroke of optical misfortune, and is almost certainly down to bad design on the camera and/or the lens front, but as the 300D is very highly regarded whereas the lens you are using is regarded as being worth less than the plastic in it (even by Canon aficionados!), I bet the lens is your culprit here.
Getting a better lens will not improve your shots from a compositional point of view, but it may help to remove the margin for hardware errors (such as you are seeing in this case). A better lens will however almost certainly produce sharper photos, give better colour definition and possibly focus faster and give you greater flexibility in your compositions (by being able to open up to f/2 or more to get almost two-dimensional depth of field, for example).
If your budget does not stretch to Canon lenses (and most of them, apart from the lens you are using, are fabulous), then remember there are third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, and there are second-hand options available for all.
But even if you are happy with your lens, then so be it, and I salute you for actually going out there and finding the shots. Keep 'em coming, and even if the lens isn't superb, your camera most certainly is, so you're most of the way there.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff