Sun Spots: I took this pic today near the Strasburg RR with my Z6. At the time I took the pic because I noticed that I could set the picture up in the viewfinder without being blinded.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

I took this pic today near the Strasburg RR with my Z6. At the time I took the pic because I noticed that I could set the picture up in the viewfinder without being blinded.
What causes the 3 bright dots? Is there a method to remove them or prevent from showing in the first place?
Thanks
Jim

(Download)

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

Lens Flare

Probably can remove them during post processing --

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

Jim those spots are caused by internal reflections within your lens. The fact that they are in a line and the line extends directly through the center of the frame is a dead giveaway. If the sun had been off the vertical centerline the line of spots would be sloped from the (Off center) sun through the center of the frame. I know of no way to totally avoid them except to not have a bright light source (IE sun) in the picture area. If the photo composition and lens choice demands the sun be included, just live with it. Some lenses are more subject to internal reflections than others. It depends largely on the lens design and the effectiveness of the anti-reflective coating on the internal lens surfaces. Your case of spots is pretty mild indicating that your lens has a fairly effective anti-reflection lens coating. The small size of your spots shows that your lens aperture diameter was quite small (F/16?)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Cloning will get rid of them easily.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Hamltnblue wrote:

I took this pic today near the Strasburg RR with my Z6. At the time I took the pic because I noticed that I could set the picture up in the viewfinder without being blinded.
What causes the 3 bright dots? Is there a method to remove them or prevent from showing in the first place?
Thanks
Jim

Nice image: Been there, done that, there is not real good way to avoid this, Post processing is your friend.
Others have stated the cures.

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Hamltnblue wrote:

I took this pic today near the Strasburg RR with my Z6. At the time I took the pic because I noticed that I could set the picture up in the viewfinder without being blinded.
What causes the 3 bright dots? Is there a method to remove them or prevent from showing in the first place?
Thanks
Jim

I think it is a great shot - don't think the, hard to avoid lens spots. detract from the overall quality of the shot.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Thanks All,
Would a Circular Polarizer have helped in this case?

Ishmael

I'm new here. At some point I wanted to post a couple of my pictures to ask about a lot of white spots on my Canon SX 280 pictures. I don't think I can do that with my new Chromebook because I don't see how to put picture "files" on here. But I probably can do it on my Windows PC. I'm sending this reply so I can see what method I can use to post pictures. I don't see how it's done.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Hamltnblue wrote:

Thanks All,
Would a Circular Polarizer have helped in this case?

probably not,, as you were shooting directly into the sun.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

photogeneralist wrote:

Jim those spots are caused by internal reflection... (show quote)

Try this technique to deal with lens flare - https://youtu.be/J9DggKGiLb8

Ishmael

gvarner wrote:

Try this technique to deal with lens flare - https://youtu.be/J9DggKGiLb8

I haven't been using this camera for quite a while. The camera creates orbs, not flares and I don't know why. My second newest camera a P & S also creates orbs but very few . They are both Canons. My newest camera, the Panasonic, doesn't do this, nor does my phone camera. Maybe it has something to do with the way they are made. A real sun flare is obvious, these are not caused by the sun. So I don't know what to think, it is not a big concern of mine just a curiosity.

tjw47 Loc: Michigan

you have to be at a right angle ( from the sun ) for a polarizer filter to work

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Jim,

What no one told you is that you could damage your camera's sensor. And, even more important, you could damage your eye or eyes by looking at the sun, even through a camera, telescope, etc. without protective filters.

I burned a tiny "hole" in my retina when I was a pre-teen and was told not to view the sun or look at it without eye protection. But, I did. The tiny "black" spot is still in my field of vision, sometimes, when I look at an expanse of sky. My much older eyes are more important than risking them or my camera gear.

Like your pic. Either as is or with a clone retouch of these internal lens reflections.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...What no one told you is that you could damage your camera's sensor. And, even more important, you could damage your eye or eyes by looking at the sun..." Paul thank you for bringing wisdom to the mix here... though I'm wondering if the EVF actually places one at risk... albeit a OVF certainly does...

Same goes for firearms... as aging children have sadly realized... loss of hearing is a very dear price to be paid for using firearms without appropriate ear protection...

Teach your children well... least they fall victim to vision and hearing damage... which sadly in most cases is irreversible...

Wishing all health and happiness...

10MPlayer Loc: California

A lens hood will help of the sun is high or off to the side. Not so much if you're shooting the sun itself. Like R.G. said it's easy to clone them out. You see lot of professional photography with them left in, often for artistic reasons. It's up to you how to handle them.