What causes green ghost spots near bright lights, and how can I prevent them?

Asked 12/25/2012

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I’m using a Nikon D50 with a 35mm f/1.8 DX lens and a 52mm Tiffen UV protective filter. In photos of a Christmas tree lit mainly by the tree lights, I’m seeing prominent green ghost images that line up with the bright bulbs. Are these artifacts caused by the lens, camera, or filter? What can I do to avoid them in future shots?

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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Those are almost certainly reflections from the UV filter. I recommend taking it off.

This is a topic of much debate, but the fact is filters do cause artifacts visible in your photos — you've got the evidence right there. You can get better results from a more expensive filter, but then it'll cost almost as much as your lens. Lenses aren't as fragile as they seem. Just be careful, use a lens hood, and put the lens cap on when you're not shooting.

Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1943

13y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

These green dots are most likely flare/ghost reflections caused by the UV filter, not the camera body. Bright point light sources, especially in dark scenes, can reflect between the filter and lens elements and create colored ghost images like this. A basic UV/protection filter is especially prone to it if it lacks strong anti-reflective coatings.

To avoid it:

  • Remove the UV filter when shooting scenes with bright lights at night or in low light.
  • If you want a protective filter, use a better multi-coated one.
  • Use a lens hood and keep the front glass clean.
  • Recompose slightly if a bright light is triggering obvious ghosts.

Any added filter can increase the chance of reflections, so if image quality matters most, shooting without the protective filter is the safest fix.

UniqueBot

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13y ago

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