What Could Have Caused This?
May 2, 2015 15:40:59 #
Took this yesterday and cannot figure out what could have caused the wave effect, which is something like would happen if I applied a weird "frosted glass" effect in software. Trying to isolate whether camera, owner or environmental problem.
Shot with Olympus EM1, 1/2000, 6.7 ISO 400, 75-300 lens fully extended handheld. I shot other sequences both before and after with this same lens and with other lenses, at similar and different settings with none of this bizarre trouble.
I had just attached this lens for these shots but there was no message of lens error or odd readings like there usually are if a lens for some reason did not lock in.
It was not particularly hot, low 70's. Only variable I could even wonder about was whether what the crop duster was spewing out (which smelled like anhydrous ammonia) could have had some effect or there was some particulate in it, but they are cropdusting all over and I didn't see this in any other shots.
Shot with Olympus EM1, 1/2000, 6.7 ISO 400, 75-300 lens fully extended handheld. I shot other sequences both before and after with this same lens and with other lenses, at similar and different settings with none of this bizarre trouble.
I had just attached this lens for these shots but there was no message of lens error or odd readings like there usually are if a lens for some reason did not lock in.
It was not particularly hot, low 70's. Only variable I could even wonder about was whether what the crop duster was spewing out (which smelled like anhydrous ammonia) could have had some effect or there was some particulate in it, but they are cropdusting all over and I didn't see this in any other shots.
May 2, 2015 15:48:16 #
I do not see a 'spot-on' focus point. It's not your movement at 1/2000
My guess is your camera didn't have a 'lock' on the focus but gave the go ahead for a snap.
My guess is it is camera error. I've had a similar experience where the camera had a green light to snap and the focus was not locked on.
My guess is your camera didn't have a 'lock' on the focus but gave the go ahead for a snap.
My guess is it is camera error. I've had a similar experience where the camera had a green light to snap and the focus was not locked on.
May 2, 2015 15:51:13 #
That looks to me like the shimmering caused by heated air rising on a hot summer day. It's a common atmospheric phenomenon.
May 2, 2015 15:58:00 #
JD750 wrote:
That looks to me like the shimmering caused by heated air rising on a hot summer day. It's a common atmospheric phenomenon.
that's exactly my thoughts as well... simple heat waves.
May 2, 2015 16:00:06 #
Atmosphere, very common when shooting at distance.
I'd take advantage of it, especially since there's nothing you can do about it.Although you can help prevent it in the future by shooting when the air is calmer and less of a temperature differential in the environment.
Crop in on the plane and showcase the "problem" :-)
GT
I'd take advantage of it, especially since there's nothing you can do about it.Although you can help prevent it in the future by shooting when the air is calmer and less of a temperature differential in the environment.
Crop in on the plane and showcase the "problem" :-)
GT
minniev wrote:
Took this yesterday and cannot figure out what cou... (show quote)
May 2, 2015 16:09:03 #
Thanks for the ideas!
I've very often shot in temps 20 degrees above what it was yesterday with none of this kind of thing, unless there was another factor interacting with the warm air. 75 is really considered cool here. My first reaction was that it reminded me of the waves of heat off dark pavement, but no pavement and not that much heat.
I'm interested in the proposed idea that perhaps it was failure to lock focus, though I've not had such a strange event before and I've shot many thousands of shots with this camera. Typically if I miss focus I just get the usual blurred image. Is there something I'm missing about what you're suggesting?
I've very often shot in temps 20 degrees above what it was yesterday with none of this kind of thing, unless there was another factor interacting with the warm air. 75 is really considered cool here. My first reaction was that it reminded me of the waves of heat off dark pavement, but no pavement and not that much heat.
I'm interested in the proposed idea that perhaps it was failure to lock focus, though I've not had such a strange event before and I've shot many thousands of shots with this camera. Typically if I miss focus I just get the usual blurred image. Is there something I'm missing about what you're suggesting?
May 2, 2015 16:11:42 #
minniev wrote:
Took this yesterday and cannot figure out what cou... (show quote)
It looks like heat waves. They really show up when using a long lens on a hot day.
May 2, 2015 16:12:29 #
minniev wrote:
Thanks for the ideas! br br I've very often shot ... (show quote)
good around all you want but it remains heat waves. Actual temp plays almost no part in the phenomena...it is dependent upon the DIFFERENCE in temp of the two media, and the humidity of the air(talk to any pilot). A little science goes a long way sometimes. ;)
May 2, 2015 16:23:40 #
Not necessarily the ambient temperature, but the differential in areas between you and the subject.
GT
GT
minniev wrote:
Thanks for the ideas! br br I've very often shot ... (show quote)
May 2, 2015 16:26:28 #
Didereaux wrote:
...it is dependent upon the DIFFERENCE in temp of the two media, and the humidity of the air(talk to any pilot).....
That's more or less right - it's caused by the mixing of hot and cold air (or possibly hot and not so hot air). Perhaps the effect was transitory because it was caused by some cold air blowing in over the hot field and the effect lasted only as long as there was a difference in temperature between the two air masses. Or maybe we could blame gremlins........
May 2, 2015 16:27:06 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
minniev wrote:
Took this yesterday and cannot figure out what cou... (show quote)
That field absorbed heat and is releasing that heat into the air. These slight differences in density of the air coming off the ground is causing a lensing effect. There is no real cure for this other than getting closer to the subject (less lensing effect) or hope for a nice breeze to "even out" or "smooth out" the disturbed air.
May 2, 2015 16:27:07 #
JD750 wrote:
That looks to me like the shimmering caused by heated air rising on a hot summer day. It's a common atmospheric phenomenon.
Most definitely heat waves. Shooting at 300mm amplifies the effect.
May 2, 2015 16:31:33 #
That is what causes mirages, heat waves coming from the ground causing a ripple effect.
May 2, 2015 16:33:08 #
Heat waves is my vote, too. When you photograph through turbulent air with a temperature differential you're going to see this.
May 2, 2015 16:33:19 #
The difference in the temp of camera vs plane? Or in the air between me and the plane? This is very interesting. How can I learn more about it? Since I'm accustomed to shooting in hot climate, I'm amazed I've never run into it before. It does look like heat shimmer though a little more blocky than I'd guess it would be. I've taken photos of crop dusters before, and had them come out sharp. I'm trying to understand the variables. I appreciate the science lessons.
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