spots on pictures: I am new here and this is my first attempt at posting. I have a Canon SX-280 P & S and my usual setting is "auto." But often I get these spots or "orbs" on my...

Ishmael

I am new here and this is my first attempt at posting. I have a Canon SX-280 P & S and my usual setting is "auto." But often I get these spots or "orbs" on my pictures especially with this camera. Here's an example taken in Queenstown Tasmania over a year ago. The engine was still in its stall and my camera was pointed inside with the sun outside the building. With short videos I tend to get these spots a lot.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It looks like lens flare. That's m guess, and I'm stickin' to it. : )

On some more than others, you can see the shape of the shutter leaves.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Looks like flare to me also. Be sure to use the lens hood and pay attention to where the sun is when you're shooting.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I think lens flare as well.
Perhaps the sun was reflecting into the lens from the overhead windows?

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

If you get those spots often, try leaving the lens hood on all the time and see if you can reduce the frequency of occurrence.

Ishmael

The camera doesn't have a lens hood. It does the same on overcast days. It will do it for maybe 3-4 photos and then it stops for a while. I have a new Canon Elph 360 which also puts light spots or an "orb" on some pictures but not to the extent my SX 280 does. I have to look for them. I'm thinking of getting a new camera like the Canon M50. I do trekking and backpacking a lot and think maybe the M50 too heavy and bulky. Maybe the Panasonic zs200 would be better. I'll post a few more examples of these spots but they are on another computer.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Ishmael wrote:

The camera doesn't have a lens hood. It does the s... (show quote)

If you can’t use a lens hood, then remember to orient yourself such that the sun can’t shine into the lens. It may limit your placement, but unless intentional, lens flare can ruin your shots (as you’ve just demonstrated)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Lens flare is usually in-line with a light source. These seem to be all over.
I'd check the front of the lens (or filter) to see if it is dirty, especially if you have the lens shade off and light hitting the front of the lens.

Ishmael

I have never attempted to clean the lens until today. I was going to send 2 or 3 more taken on Easter Island last OCt. but I see there is no provision for doing that. It looks like once you send your photos and initiate a topic, that's it you can't send any more photos it looks like. The SX 280 is a Canon Power Shot and all it has is a cover that closes over the lens when you shut it off.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ishmael wrote:

I have never attempted to clean the lens until today. I was going to send 2 or 3 more taken on Easter Island last OCt. but I see there is no provision for doing that. It looks like once you send your photos and initiate a topic, that's it you can't send any more photos it looks like. The SX 280 is a Canon Power Shot and all it has is a cover that closes over the lens when you shut it off.

You can always add more pics later in the thread. I think you have about an hour to update a post before it is locked.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Ishmael wrote:

I am new here and this is my first attempt at posting. I have a Canon SX-280 P & S and my usual setting is "auto." But often I get these spots or "orbs" on my pictures especially with this camera. Here's an example taken in Queenstown Tasmania over a year ago. The engine was still in its stall and my camera was pointed inside with the sun outside the building. With short videos I tend to get these spots a lot.

Definitely lens flair, but you also have a dirty lens. The sun is above and to your right.

Ishmael

I think the hour is passed for me to post more pictures if that is how this works. I have seen examples of lens flare and yes it does resemble this. Sort of. I was going to send a series of 3 photos taken on a very overcast day on Easter Island. How can you have lens flare when it is cloudy? Doesn't the sun have anything to do with it? Can you have lens flare with sun at your back? I will start a new post with the other pictures in a while.

Ishmael

I like to think of this as a photo of the spirits in the area especially with the two orbs in the doorway which is only 2-3 feet tall.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Ishmael wrote:

I am new here and this is my first attempt at posting. I have a Canon SX-280 P & S and my usual setting is "auto." But often I get these spots or "orbs" on my pictures especially with this camera. Here's an example taken in Queenstown Tasmania over a year ago. The engine was still in its stall and my camera was pointed inside with the sun outside the building. With short videos I tend to get these spots a lot.

clean your sensor, could also be on your UV filter if your using one.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

billnikon wrote:

clean your sensor, could also be on your UV filter if your using one.

I believe the OP is using a P&S. None of the old P&S cameras I had in the past provided access to the sensor for cleaning, and none of them had a lens hood or provision for adding one.

I suspect the only things the OP can do are: (1) try to position a hand to block direct sunlight from hitting the lens; or (2) spend some serious money to buy a camera with interchangeable lenses.