Is lens flare normal on a Canon 18-55mm kit lens, especially with a UV filter?
Asked 1/2/2012
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I’m using a Canon 550D with the 18-55mm kit lens and noticed visible lens flare when shooting toward a bright light source. The flare appears even without a UV filter, but seems worse when the UV filter is attached. Is this normal for this lens, or could it indicate a problem with the camera or lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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If you're shooting directly into a bright light source like that, then that level of flare is most certainly not unheard of.
There are coatings that will reduce glare.
- Better lenses typically have better coatings.
- Better filters typically have better coatings. All UV filters are not created equal.
If you've put a cheap UV filter on a kit lens, its no great surprise to get really horrid flaring.
Overall, I don't think you've got defective equipment. It's just the basic lens and probably a basic UV filter.
Originally by user1917. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1917
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — this is normal, especially when shooting toward a bright light source. Lens flare is mainly caused by stray light reflecting inside the lens, so it’s mostly a lens issue rather than a camera-body problem.
The Canon 18-55mm kit lens is a basic wide-angle zoom, and lenses like this are more prone to flare than higher-end lenses with better coatings and optical designs. A UV filter can make it worse, particularly if it’s a cheaper filter, because it adds another flat glass surface that can reflect light.
So your gear is probably not defective. The fact that the flare is worse with the filter supports that.
To reduce flare:
- remove the UV filter when shooting into strong light
- shade the lens with a hood or your hand (without entering the frame)
- slightly change your shooting angle or composition
- use better-coated filters or lenses if flare resistance is important
A little flare in these conditions is expected.
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AI14y ago
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