Dancing green lights with UV filter at DVinfo.net

Ezra Hiller · April 3rd, 2006, 02:06 PM

I've seen this mentioned before, but I thought I would bring it up again.
I am using a clear UV filter in front of MY VX2100. When shooting candles or pinpoint lights, I get the dancing green bugs surrounding the light source. I was going to keep my filter on to protect my lens, but now I think I will only put it on for high risk situations (i.e. outdoors).
Does this happen with all UV filters ?

Ezra

Marcus Marchesseault · April 3rd, 2006, 09:08 PM

Is your UV filter multi-coated? Those are supposed to reduce unwanted reflections. I remove filters if they are not needed. Outdoors in wet or dusty environments would be a good place to put them back on. Careful cleaning of lenses with the appropriate cleaning equipment won't be a serious problem with your camera assuming you are careful. Some people aren't careful with their camera, so they should keep the UV filter in place.

There is always risk involved with bringing a camera into an interesting place to shoot. A good case and careful handling will prevent damage better than a UV filter. The damaged lenses I have seen have dents as well as scratches. I have never seen a lens with a nice barrel and significantly scratched glass.

Mike Rehmus · April 4th, 2006, 06:52 AM

In these situations, turn off your image stabilization. The dancing is caused by reflections off the stabilizer's optical elements in the lens. This won't get rid of the spots but they will be stationary and much less noticable.

Tom Hardwick · April 4th, 2006, 01:06 PM

Both the Ms make good points. Do check to see if your UV is multi-coated though Ezra. It certainly is important that any front element has to have the very best multi-coating you can buy, and if you've added a filter, that then becomes this all-important front element.

tom.

Marcus Marchesseault · April 5th, 2006, 10:46 PM

I can't believe I forgot to mention the image stabilizer! Doh!

Tom Hardwick · April 6th, 2006, 01:32 AM

That's the thing see, Marcus. A technology so transparent that it only requires a v'finder icon to tell you it's turned OFF very often gets forgotten about.

April 3rd, 2006, 02:06 PM	#1
Ezra Hiller New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 23	Dancing green lights with UV filter I've seen this mentioned before, but I thought I would bring it up again. I am using a clear UV filter in front of MY VX2100. When shooting candles or pinpoint lights, I get the dancing green bugs surrounding the light source. I was going to keep my filter on to protect my lens, but now I think I will only put it on for high risk situations (i.e. outdoors). Does this happen with all UV filters ? Ezra

April 4th, 2006, 06:52 AM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	In these situations, turn off your image stabilization. The dancing is caused by reflections off the stabilizer's optical elements in the lens. This won't get rid of the spots but they will be stationary and much less noticable. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

April 3rd, 2006, 09:08 PM	#2
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Is your UV filter multi-coated? Those are supposed to reduce unwanted reflections. I remove filters if they are not needed. Outdoors in wet or dusty environments would be a good place to put them back on. Careful cleaning of lenses with the appropriate cleaning equipment won't be a serious problem with your camera assuming you are careful. Some people aren't careful with their camera, so they should keep the UV filter in place. There is always risk involved with bringing a camera into an interesting place to shoot. A good case and careful handling will prevent damage better than a UV filter. The damaged lenses I have seen have dents as well as scratches. I have never seen a lens with a nice barrel and significantly scratched glass.

April 4th, 2006, 01:06 PM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Both the Ms make good points. Do check to see if your UV is multi-coated though Ezra. It certainly is important that any front element has to have the very best multi-coating you can buy, and if you've added a filter, that then becomes this all-important front element. tom.

April 5th, 2006, 10:46 PM	#5
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	I can't believe I forgot to mention the image stabilizer! Doh!

April 6th, 2006, 01:32 AM	#6
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	That's the thing see, Marcus. A technology so transparent that it only requires a v'finder icon to tell you it's turned OFF very often gets forgotten about.