How can I get a Fuji lens to flare?

[jonasv]

I've been shooting with a pair of XT1's and the new 18-55, plus the 14 and the 56mm. They're all tremendous lenses. One of their many qualities is the small amount of flare, even when shooting directly into a light source.

However, for aesthetic purposes, I would sometimes like a little flare when shooting wedding portraits contre-jour. What would be the easiest way to do this? Do I have to buy some old single-coated lens with an adapter? Or can I add a filter to the Fuji lenses and if so, which kind? (I'm looking for 'regular' lens flare, not some special starry effect, for which I know there are special filters.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[hamradio]

I think you'd be best off with some older piece of glass and an adapter, such as a Helios 44. While the Helios 44 is an excellent lens for all $20 it'll set you back, both copies I own are flare monsters wide-open. Stopped down a little tames everything.

 

[lynnb]

I'm wondering if a UV filter smeared with a little nose oil or saliva might do the trick!

 

[aizan]

what lynn said. put lots of oily fingerprints on both sides of an uncoated filter. no new lenses needed.

 

[nongfuspring]

Veiling flare is easily achieved in photoshop.

 

[jonasv]

Thanks all! I'll try smearing a filter before buying any new lenses.

I'm sure it's easily done in Photoshop, I just prefer to do these things 'live'... old-fashioned I guess!

 

[daveleo]

I also go with the filter approach.
I have a tiffen blacknet #1 filter and I cannot stop it from flaring !!! They are used on ebay for not too much $$$$.

 

[willie_901]

Remove the lens hood.

I can create flare (not ghosting reflections) with an off-camera flash. All I have to do is remove the lens hood and hold the flash just near the lens with the flash lens just behind the lens.

The ghosting reflection suppression is also impressive.