Is this a problem with this lens? I took it out last night to get a night shot of the BFB, but the lights were out. I took some shots anyhow just to see how the 17-40L behaves since i really haven't given it a good run through at night.
I had a terrible issue with flare. As you can see its not on my sensor or front element since it changes from scene to scene. the last image being the worst. now it could have just been the situation with the bright pier lights, but i wasn't over thrilled to see these results. these images are pretty much SOOC, they may have lens correction applied.
I have yet to experience flare with this lens. In fact, I watched a review by digitalrev.com on youtube before i bought it and he said he was hard pressed to get flare even pointing towards the sun.
My 17-40 has always seemed very flare resistant. Those lights do look very intense though Mike and with the right angle you may have exposed the slight bit of vulnerability that lens has. I would not worry just yet, see if you continue to see flare under less extreme circumstances.
Very cold night, no doubt? Camera taken out of warm car to shoot immediately, by any chance? that can cause some internal fogging, often very slight, that can result in the kind of flare you're seeing from very intense, point sources of light.
That said, I always found the 17-40mm to be a smidge more flare-prone than the 10-22 I used with the cropped sensor. My 16-35mm f/2.8's flare resistance is in the same neighborhood as the 10-22mm, for what that's worth...
Very cold night, no doubt? Camera taken out of warm car to shoot immediately, by any chance? that can cause some internal fogging, often very slight, that can result in the kind of flare you're seeing from very intense, point sources of light.
That said, I always found the 17-40mm to be a smidge more flare-prone than the 10-22 I used with the cropped sensor. My 16-35mm f/2.8's flare resistance is in the same neighborhood as the 10-22mm, for what that's worth...
You know what that's worth? About three helpings of jealousy. ;)
[quote=Bear_Music]You know what that's worth? About three helpings of jealousy. ;)
+1! I've not shot enough with the 17-40 at night to assess flare/ghosting. Would love to upgrade to the 16-35, but honestly I won't do it based on how much I've utilized the 17-40.
took the 17-40L back out tonight, not going to post images as to give away my FS, but lets just say im not happy with the flare yet again. it was warmer out so i doubt any internal fogging could be to blame.
even under the bright lights of a ballpark my 10-22 never flared like this, heck the tamron 10-24 even performed better for flare.
Mike.. Had a look at those images and I can tell you now that I would take this lens back. Those are either dust spots/smears on the element frontal or not. Is your lens 100% clean? If yes...take it back. I have 17-40 and with those kind of flares...no question its dirt or micro chippings on the glass
Please keep us posted on this
well it looks like there is something on the inside face of the rear element, unfortunately i'm 1 month out of warranty. i cant tell if it a chip or just a large spec of dirt or dust.
I very much doubt that any particle(s) on the element(s) would cause this. You'd need massive amounts of crap, or a film of something, to increase reflection that much.
If I were you, I'd look carefully through it to see if there seems to be a film of something on an internal element. I really doubt this is the case. If all you see are a few particles, I would definitely not send it in.
I have not really used the 17-40 under conditions similar the images you posted, so unfortunately I can't provide a comparison. If the flare performance doesn't meet your expectations, it might be time to consider an upgrade ;-)
If i had anytime i might. i actually did test it out first in Quincy Mass. i was up there for an inspection in the fall.
Interesting story, we had to inspect the towers on a temporary moveable lift bridge but there is really no access short of climbing (we were weren't scoped to do) and they were too tall for equipment so we decided to ride the counterweights up. Well the limit switches went bad and the motor refused to raise the bridge back up and we got stuck up there while the DOT guys got called in and tried to figure out the problem. Luckily it wasn't too cold for the hour or so were were stuck.
Unfortunately i didn't bring my camera, i didnt want to bang it around climbing up teh top of the counterweights, i could have gotten some great shots from up there. so i had to settle for these from the work camera...
i didn't get much chance for photops which is sad because it was prime foliage color, our trip got cut short and i diddt get any free time to shoot...
yes at this point im chalking it up to the location, i haven't taken many night shots and the flare is no where to be seen (except when expected) during the days.
