Lee Big Stopper flare problem

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Russell
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Hi I wonder if anybody could help, I took my new Lee 10 stop filter out for its maiden voyage today and all the shots taken with it ended up with the flare seen on the picture.

I assume there is some sort of light leakage involved but it was fitted as per recommendations i.e slotted into the nearest filter slot to the lens with foam gasket facing the lens. The view finder cap was also installed so there should have been no issues should there?

The effected shots were taken with the big stopper and nd grads (fitted in the slot furthest away from the lens), also some with a CPL.

If anybody can help I would appreciate it greatly, glad I haven't sold my B&W just yet!

PS the colour cast is much more than my B&W also

Regards, Russell

View attachment 1149
 
Not a technical solution exactly but I drape a microfiber cloth over the camera so it covers the view finder and up to the filter. Although I have a hi tech pro stopper and a Cokin mounting system.
 
As above - would give that a go. Should be easy to remove with content aware
 
Not a technical solution exactly but I drape a microfiber cloth over the camera so it covers the view finder and up to the filter. Although I have a hi tech pro stopper and a Cokin mounting system.

Thanks Tim I will give it a go.
 
Some black insulating tape covering the gap between the 2 (or all) filters in use should help reduce the problem but stacking filters is a bit of a recipe for increased chance of flare.
 
If you've got a Canon, the rubber thing on the strap is for fixing over the viewfinder (instead of using a cloth) which would stop it if it's being caused by a light leak.

Given this looks like it was taken pre/post sunset/rise so no sun in the sky, would be surprised if it was flare?
 
The cloth trick as mentioned should do it.

It is strange though, as there is no direct bright light source :/
 
Looks like it might be a reflection between the lens and one or more of the filter surfaces - I've seen a similar thing when I've used a similar combination of filters with my Lee Big Stopper - even with them all in the right slots. The long exposure seems to bring them out for some reason.
Judging from the light on the rocks - they have light faces and dark shadows - there is still a bit of directional illumination of the scene even if there is do direct sun about so it's possible to still get reflections like these.
Apart from shading the filter pack (I use my hand) or using a Lee lens hood (or similar) to minimise this kind of thing then it can be a bit of a bug-bear - especially as I'm guessing the reflection in this case is a result of the distant light together with it's reflection in the sea coming in at a low angle - difficult to prevent......
 
That particular flare would be easily fixable in PP.

Not ideal though when you're spending that sort of money on a filter.
 
Agree, it's not flare per se; it's light hitting the front lens element, being reflected back onto a filter, and then being recorded. Hooding/shielding would have helped *if* it was due to light coming in at an angle, but it might not have been. If it was due to being pointed into the light the only "fix" would be changing the angle. Changing the order of the filter stack may have an affect. It could also be internal to the lens itself (between lens elements), or light reflecting off of the sensor back onto an element/filter; but that's less likely.
 
I never drape anything over my camera and have never had a problem with my Lee BS

Its definitely the edge of the lens that's reflecting onto the sensor so light's getting in somewhere, I'd try another shot with a black cloth draped over and also check the foam gasket which might be moving excessively when you slide it in the holder

The BS does have a significant blue cast which surprised me considering the cost of it, a WB tweak in PP soon sorts that though
 
The BS does have a significant blue cast which surprised me considering the cost of it, a WB tweak in PP soon sorts that though

Yeh says in the leaflet that comes with it - recommends to use custom WB (or tweak in post) of between 9000k-10000k depending on your copy
 
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