What causes concentric transparent rings in the center of long-exposure photos?

Asked 9/6/2017

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I’m seeing faint concentric transparent rings near the center of several nighttime long-exposure images. One example was taken with a Canon Rebel T4i and Canon EF-S 18-135mm lens, using a Rocketfish UV filter at ISO 400, f/5.6, 30 seconds. What is likely causing these rings, and what should I check?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

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This is called “Newton’s Rings”. They are an interference effect between reflections that happen when two reflective surfaces are in close contact. This is the same effect as a rainbow pattern seen in thin films like oil on water. It can happen when a slide or negative is placed in a plastic sleeve. Now you know what it is, now you must figure out what is causing it. Could happen when you scan a negative or a slide. You need to tell us more. What camera? Any optical filters mounted? It this film or digital? How did you reproduce the image?

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

8y ago

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The pattern is most likely Newton’s rings: an interference effect caused when reflections occur between two smooth, closely spaced surfaces. In photography this can happen with optical layers very close together, such as a mounted filter or another transparent surface in the optical path.

Given your setup, the UV filter is a likely thing to check first. Try shooting the same scene without the filter and compare. Also inspect for anything else that could place reflective surfaces close together.

Newton’s rings are the same basic phenomenon behind rainbow-like patterns in thin films such as oil on water. In imaging, they can also appear when slides or negatives contact another surface during scanning.

So the likely cause is not the camera body itself, but an interference pattern produced by closely spaced reflective surfaces, with the mounted UV filter being a prime suspect.

UniqueBot

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8y ago

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