What causes these weird artifacts?

Tamara · Jul 23, 2015

While on the hunt for a little point & shoot 35mm camera, two of the ones I tried were the Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 and the Leica Z2X. Unfortunately, test rolls from both showed weird artifacts on the negatives, and I have no idea what's causing them.

On the Olympus, it only occurs in bright light and seems to happen when the lens is at the shortest focal lengths...

With the Leica, the ghost in the upper right shows up at most focal lengths and is most noticeable in bright sunshine...

Anybody have any clue what these are? I didn't give a lot for the cameras, so it's no real heartbreak, but I'm kinda curious nonetheless...

Xmas · Jul 23, 2015

You need to tell us if they extend into the rebates or not. Looking at the final result is like guessing the winner afterwards in the paddock.

Tamara · Jul 23, 2015

Xmas said:
You need to tell us if they extend into the rebates or not. Looking at the final result is like guessing the winner afterwards in the paddock.

Thanks! Just checked. They do not.

gone · Jul 23, 2015

I'm not sure what's going on w/ the shots, but the lens on that Leica is a bout 10 notches better than that Olympus. I had that same model Olympus camera, and was always disappointed w/ the images from it. Fun camera, but keep the Leica for sure.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 24, 2015

A Google search for these cameras plus the word "flare" turns up more than a few hits.

I suspect flare from the optical system, especially if you're not seeing these artifacts outside the image area on the negatives.

Russ - SVP · Jul 24, 2015

I once had similar rings from a Kiron 28-85 zoom at its widest setting. Only happened a couple of times. IIRC, it had something to do with flare from elements. I don't quite recall how I remedied it.

darkosaric · Jul 24, 2015

I had the same stuff on many Olympus mju zoom cameras. Get a fixed lens Mju (Stylus) --> Mju I 35mm f3,5 (cheap and excellent) or Mju II 35mm f2,8 (expensive and excellent).

bernard_L · Jul 24, 2015

Had similar but not identical flare on an Olympus MjuII: rings around bright sources, apparent only in night shots. Bought a second camera cheap, verified the problem was absent. Kept the good one, donated the "bad" one with a warning "daylight only". Some copies might be lacking anti-reflection paint inside the lens mount.

Apart from that, +1 on darkosaric's evaluation (but, come on, a mjuII is not expensive these days!)

darkosaric · Jul 24, 2015

bernard_L said:
Apart from that, +1 on darkosaric's evaluation (but, come on, a mjuII is not expensive these days!)

I find Mju II from time to time on flea market for 10-15 euros, and then resell them for 50 on auction site - people want to pay, so who I am to complain ?
So if you are lucky - it is not so expensive. But Mju I one can find for 2-5 euros without a problem.

Xmas · Jul 24, 2015

If you need to shoot high contrast sceans then you need to use simple multi coated prime lenses with deep lens hoods and French flags, and without protective filters.

But lots of people like prints to show artifice like star points etc. but single coated primes may then be a better choice.

An SLR allows some anticipation of what you are going to get.

Russ - SVP · Jul 24, 2015

darkosaric said:
I had the same stuff on many Olympus mju zoom cameras. Get a fixed lens Mju (Stylus) --> Mju I 35mm f3,5 (cheap and excellent) or Mju II 35mm f2,8 (expensive and excellent).

I concur.

Tamara · Jul 24, 2015

I'm keeping my eye out for one of the fixed-lens Stylus Epics. Right now my heart belongs to my GR1 for a fixed-lens pocket camera, but those things never last: lightweight and compact body with a sharp, fast lens... and the electronic guts have the durability of soft-serve ice cream.

The Leica was bought practically on a lark, mostly because of the price tag relative to the Famous Red Circle. Weird artifacts or no, it was unlikely to replace my Contax TVS, which (in my opinion) is so much better that there's almost no comparison.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 24, 2015

Xmas said:
If you need to shoot high contrast sceans then you need to use simple multi coated prime lenses with deep lens hoods and French flags, and without protective filters.

I never thought of using French flags. I'm not sure how to mount them on the lens. One's mood might be improved by singing La Marseillaise as well:

Allons enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé! ...

elcabezagrande · Jul 24, 2015

Internal reflection in the lens.

Tamara · Jul 25, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
One's mood might be improved by singing La Marseillaise as well:

Allons enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé! ...

I needed that smile. Thanks.

MattKing · Jul 25, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
I never thought of using French flags. I'm not sure how to mount them on the lens. One's mood might be improved by singing La Marseillaise as well:

Allons enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé! ...

At least Xmas didn't suggest French letters .....

Sirius Glass · Jul 25, 2015

It looks like lens flare. Use a lens hood if possible. The Olympus coatings and lenses are not as good as the Leica's.

What causes these weird artifacts?

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