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What went wrong?

Shots towards the light have bright blobs, ghosts or haze

Camera

What you're seeing

Bright spots or shapes in a line from a light source, or a low-contrast haze over the frame, in shots facing the sun or bright lights.

Check this first

Check this first

Check whether you used a hood or a filter, and look through the lens from both ends with a torch for haze, dirt or fungus.

Likely causes, most common first

  1. 01

    No lens hood, or the wrong one

    Common
    How to tell
    Haze and ghosts only when the light source is in or near the edge of the frame.
    Test it
    Reshoot the scene with the right hood, or shade the lens with your hand just out of frame. If the haze goes, stray light was the cause.
    The fix
    Fit the hood made for each lens.

    Sources Nikon (scan: butkus.org), Nikon FE instruction manual (features/specifications); Nikon (scan: butkus.org), Nikon FM2 (FM2N) instruction manual (specifications)

  2. 02

    A filter on the lens

    Common
    How to tell
    Ghost images of bright lights, only on frames shot with a filter.
    Test it
    Take one frame with the filter and one without. Nikon notes ghosting from filters with backlit subjects or bright lights in frame.
    The fix
    Remove the filter for backlit shots or bright lights in frame.

    Sources Nikon (scan: butkus.org), Nikon FM2 (FM2N) instruction manual (specifications); Nikon (scan: butkus.org), Nikon FM3A instruction manual (specifications)

  3. 03

    Dirty, hazy or mouldy lens

    Occasional
    How to tell
    Low contrast and glow round highlights on most frames, not just backlit ones.
    Test it
    Shine a torch through the lens from the back in a dark room. Haze, fungus threads or a film of dirt show up clearly.
    The fix
    Clean the outer surfaces. Internal haze or fungus needs a repairer. Store lenses somewhere cool, dry and ventilated.

    Sources Nikon (scan: butkus.org), Nikon FE instruction manual (features/specifications); Nikon (scan: butkus.org), Nikon FM3A instruction manual (specifications)

  4. 04

    Older or uncoated lens

    Occasional
    How to tell
    Strong flare and ghosts from an older or simple lens, even when clean.
    Test it
    Compare the same backlit scene with a modern multi-coated lens if you have one.
    The fix
    Use a hood and avoid pointing straight at the sun.

    Source Asahi/Pentax (scan: butkus.org), Pentax LX operating manual (specifications)

Avoiding it next time

  • Use the hood made for each lens.
  • Remove filters when shooting into the light.
  • Store lenses in a dry, ventilated place.

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