Lens Sun Star Advice Sought Nikkor 24-120 F4

[bigearl91]

I recently purchased a second hand Nikon 24-120 F4 lens, and have been getting repeated results regarding the sun stars. one of the points extends a lot more than the others and (to me) ruins the picture, I have tested it at all apertures (even wide open) and I get the same results

Here are two example of it happening, the first was the picture I first saw it, 2nd is just a random picture I took right now while confirming it happened across the whole aperture range. I suppose I am just wondering if this is a defect or a characteristic? All other lenses I have used have never done this consistently, but that may be due to my inexperience of using a load of lenses. Depending on where the light source is in the frame dictates the angle in which this single flare crosses the frame, although it so far is always going toward the top left corner.

Not after photographic feedback here, these images are merely converted to jpeg directly from raw with no correction, as an example to show what I am inquiring about.

Has anyone else experienced this using this lens? is it likely that my lens could be faulty, or am I just getting a bit hung up on something trivial that is just part of the lens's characteristic?

All help much appreciated,





Earl,

 

[bigearl91]

Forgot to mention, with the long exposure shots I had the blank on the viewfinder to minimise light pollution, so I am convinced that it can't be light entering from the rear of the body.

Cheers
Earl

 

[Steve B]

Not much to go on, but my guess would be a UV filter on the lens looking at the other reflections present?

 

[snerkler]

Yep I've had a similar experience, see below. I'm not sure if it's to do with the ND filter or the fact it was an old lens without the fancy modern coatings. When light is coming in from an angle I would personally expect the light to catch the different parts of the front element differently and so cast differing amounts of flare. As you can see from my shots (and yours I think) the angle and position of the flare corresponds to the position of the light source.

If you use filters try it without and see what results you get. If you don't, make absolutely sure the lens is clean and try again, if you still get it it's likely it's just the characteristic of the lens and the coatings don't control flare well.

DSC_6055 by TDG-77, on Flickr
DSC_6109 by TDG-77, on Flickr

 

[bigearl91]

No filters used, the 24-120 has all sorts of fancy coatings on it, which is primarily my reason for suspicion, honestly very appreciative of the responses, good information. Looking down the lens when using preview I can't see anything wrong with the aperture blades. I thought maybe one could have been sticking slightly (but then this wouldn't explain how it happens across all apertures).

Cheers again
Earl

 

[bigearl91]

Btw, really like the second picture with the ghosting, loving how they lead into the highlighted area in the foreground - the two toned sky as well.

 

[StewartR]

I recently purchased a second hand Nikon 24-120 F4 lens, and have been getting repeated results regarding the sun stars. one of the points extends a lot more than the others and (to me) ruins the picture,

I've got to admit I can't even see the issue on that Forth Bridge picture. Which of the points on the star is the one which has bothers you? Have you got any pictures where we can see the stars without any other light around them?

 

[stevelmx5]

Is it not the one extending all the way to the top left corner of the image?

 

[StewartR]

Oh crikey. I was looking at it on my phone, and I zoomed in on the sun star to look closely at it - and of course that ... artefact ... was off the screen!

Now I've seen it though, I can't imagine what's causing it. Sorry.