When shooting against the (low and strong) sunshine, I'm getting glaring artefacts like in the attached snapshots. What's to blame: the CMOS chips, or the lens? If the latter, is it normal with the V1, or is my unit' lens at fault (the lens were clean)? TIA!

Looks like lens flare. That shape on picture 2 is the aperture iris. It is not uncommon to have this occur, in my opinion, when you have sunlight direct on your lens. I am attaching one that comes from my Sony FX1 as an example..

The second one is a pretty obvious lens flare. Almost all lenses will produce lens flares when pointed at bright light sources. It's so common that 3D animation programs like LightWave include the option to create lens flares in CGI scenes...the "defect" adds an element of realism.

The spots in the first one could also be lens flares, or could be specks of dust on the front element...not sure.

Anyway, these things look like pretty normal artifacts of optics...I would not be too quick to blame the particular camera.

Thanks for the feedback. Again, even though I agree this is normal when shooting against a bright light source, the effect was never that pronounced with the HC1 I used to have!

that's because the HC1 has a smaller lens, has a bigger overall/relative hood, and may be masking the flare.
Wait'll you put a wide lens on the V1 (or any other camcorder).

Piotr - were you using any lens filters such as a UV filter?

No, Mike - nothing on the lens; why?

...because using filters adds more reflective surfaces and can increase flare probs and also can reduce contrast.

IMO those shots exhibit entirely normal lens flare when you're shooting into the light. I don't think there's anything to be concerned about.

I've taken to noticing lens flare in movies - don't know if it's added in or on the film to start with, but more than a few times I've seen it pretty much just like in your stills! I'd say it's a normal thing... perhaps even usable as and effect if you could learn to tame it!

DB>)

Piotr

Try using a sun shade this will reduce the flare.

Hey Brian,

Do you happen to have those pictures in a higher quality?

Hey Brian,

Do you happen to have those pictures in a higher quality?

YES I wil repost the pictures.

Hey you've got some really useful/practical accessories.

Can you list some of those things we're seeing?
I noticed that you chose not to use the mic mount on the V1U but you're still using the supplied mic. Was that just done to reduce vibration, or was there another reason?

I'm using a Rode NT3 mounted with an SM5 shock mount but it really does add a lot of weight to the overall package. How heavy is the shock mount you're using?

That sun shade is a great idea. I noticed in a lot of Sony's promo pics for the V1U that they had a matte box on it, but it doesn't seem to be an official Sony accessory. I wonder which matte box or sun shade would fit the V1U nicely.

I am using a J-Rode that I modified to hold the original Sony mic and the wireless mic. The sunshade is mounted to the original Sony lens hood using a Hama flash mount. The Sun shade (purchased on Ebay) mounting shaft had to be machined to have of the original length to fit in the Hama Flash Mount. The camera light is a 50w-100w Bescor KLK-50H Light with battery pack. fully dressed I think the came is still lighter than my Z1.

The rig looks good Brian....I am glad The J-Rod is working out for you so well. You can check them out at www.thej-rod.com

Regards.