p.1 #1 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
Solved! (See post #17)
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Camera - Nikon D500
Step Ring - BT 72-77mm
Filter - Singh-Ray 15 Stop Mor-Slo
Filter - Breakthrough 10 Stop
I can't really explain it other than I'm getting a consistent light pattern on the left hand side of the screen (and image). I link to two phone images below.
I tried blocking the sun with my hand and shooting away from the sun. No help. The light pattern is still there.
I cleaned the sensor and rear and front element of the lens. No help
I swapped the step ring and filter out and put them on my Nikon 16-80mm. No problem with that lens.
I cleaned the filter. No help
I tried a BT 10 Stop ND and the pattern returned.
When I widen the apeture the problem dissipates somewhat but is still there.
I tested the lens w/o filter and its perfect.
I tightened the step ring and filter and still get the light pattern.
I removed step ring and held the 15 stop before the lens. I get the light problem.
Seems like a lens problem. But what problem? Like I said without the ND the the lens is tack sharp.
p.1 #2 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
Artifacts from using an ultra-high-density filter and lens shot into the extreme contrast light are not surprising. Look for a better hood (perhaps compendial) or a lens that doesn't exhibit that flare.
p.1 #3 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
EB-1 wrote:
Artifacts from using an ultra-high-density filter and lens shot into the extreme contrast light are not surprising. Look for a better hood (perhaps compendial) or a lens that doesn't exhibit that flare.
EBH
First EBH thanks for responding.
I would ask if its "flare" then how come in the 3rd image I'm getting flare, when the sun is obscured by clouds and the flare is coming from opposite side of the frame from where the sun is in the sky?
I also put my hand completely over the lens and light pattern is still there on the LCD?
Also when I changed lens orientation the light pattern stayed in a consistent place (middle left of screen/frame). In landscape the light patter was middle left (9 o'clock). When I changed to portrait the light pattern was still middle left but it was now at 6 o'clock?
p.1 #8 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
I don't get how it's a filter problem when I tested with two different filters, with different stop levels, from different companies each with excellent reputations.
I tested the BT 10 Stop on the Nikon 16-80 mm today and there was no problem.
The filter hasn't been the constant during testing.
Imagemaster wrote:
Seems to me you have that backwards. The ND filter is the problem. Stop using it.
p.1 #9 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
Apparently, the 18-35mm doesn't play well with neutral density filters. Perhaps it would work with ND filters that are less dense, e.g. 6 stops. I don't think there's anything wrong with the lens or anything you can do to solve the issue other than not using ND filters with that lens. What are you needing such dense filters, i.e. 10-15 stops, for anyway?
p.1 #10 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
Alan Olander wrote:
Apparently, the 18-35mm doesn't play well with neutral density filters. Perhaps it would work with ND filters that are less dense, e.g. 6 stops. I don't think there's anything wrong with the lens or anything you can do to solve the issue other than not using ND filters with that lens. What are you needing such dense filters, i.e. 10-15 stops, for anyway?
I tend to believe your opening statement, as I have several Sigma Arts and the 18-35 is the only one that has this issue.
Long/Short on filter use. I got a new leveling base from the B&S forum and I wanted to test it out. I had the 18-35 mounted on my D500 and opted for the 15 stop filter because it was the middle of the day and I wanted a good 20-30 second exposure. I normally use filters during Blue/Golden on my full frames. I think I've used the 10 stop on the D500/18-35 combo before during blue/golden and I didn't see any problem. Not sure though.
As I said, I think you're right on the 18-35 not playing nice with NDs because as I mentioned w/o the filters images turned out perfect.
I was just kinda wondering why?
BTW, Alan do you happen to remember where you saw, read or heard about the 18-35 ND problem.
p.1 #14 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
There have been a few times when I have needed to add a strip or two of Gaffer tape to one side of my flare shield to extend it even farther out to avoid lens flare. You need to be certain that it doesn't show up in the shot, so each has to extend, but be angled out in such a way to keep it out of the shot.
It might be possible that the Sun is getting through the joint between your lens and camera body too. Again, an easy, but temporary, use of a piece of Gaffer tape would fix this when applied over the joint on that side of the camera. If this proves to be the case, you should get your camera and lens checked by a professional to assure that damage has allowed this light leak to happen.
p.1 #15 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
Thanks for the food for thought, Charley.
CharleyL wrote:
There have been a few times when I have needed to add a strip or two of Gaffer tape to one side of my flare shield to extend it even farther out to avoid lens flare. You need to be certain that it doesn't show up in the shot, so each has to extend, but be angled out in such a way to keep it out of the shot.
It might be possible that the Sun is getting through the joint between your lens and camera body too. Again, an easy, but temporary, use of a piece of Gaffer tape would fix this when applied over the joint on that side of the camera. If this proves to be the case, you should get your camera and lens checked by a professional to assure that damage has allowed this light leak to happen.
p.1 #17 · Has anyone ever encountered this problem (lens issue)
Eureka! I figured it out.
Angled stray sunlight coming through the shutter button is what's causing the reflection pattern on images and on the LCD. I didn't notice the correlation other day because it was cloudy and I was shooting with a remote shutter.
Today I tried again to figure out the root cause of the problem and noticed that the light pattern would vary in intensity depending on how close my finger was over the shutter button. So I grabbed a small piece of black cloth lying around and laid it atop the shutter button and voila! Light/reflection pattern instantly went away in bright sunlight.
I actually thought about stray light being the culprit on Monday and blocked off the usual areas of entry and nothing. I didn't think about shutter button but it makes perfect sense. When I moved the camera around the light pattern would brighten and dim. I now know that was in relation to the sunlight's position relative to shutter button.
Not sure if this is a normal D500 problem or what, Probably not worth it to get it fixed. Now that I know the cause I can figure out a solution. Simply cupping my hand over the shutter button also fixes the issue completely.
