Olympus Stylus Epic lens flare

[explorea]

HI,

Sorry to introduce a camera that is totally non-RF. My own RFs (Aires 35-III, Yashica 35-ME, Olympus SP35) are fine except that my Olympus Stylus Epic has a problem that I thought the lens gurus here can give me a solution.

I'm having this flare whenever I take pictures at buildings where there is a bright sky in the background. Some photos are posted here:

http://photo.net/olympus-camera-forum/00QPF7

I've managed to reduce the flare size by half by gluing a small matt black paper onto a shinny piece of metal object inside the film chamber. That resulted in Photo 3.

Lens is a 32mm f2.8 which is pretty wide. On B mode, when I peep in from the front, I could see a silver metal screw-like thinggy which moves the lens back and forth. I blocked that with another black paper a few days ago but haven't tested it yet.

Can anybody identify whether the problem is caused by a defective lens (there's no scratch or fungus) or by a piece of shinny metal inside the film chamber? Does the flare shape and size ring a bell to you?

Thanks in advance.

Tan

 

[dmr]

I use an Olympus Stylus Zoom for my carry-everywhere camera and I've noticed similar patterns. Mine are more along the line of circular light areas toward the top, side, or corner of an image.

I've learned to put up with it, and not to shoot a scene where it looks like it will be a problem. In a few cases I've cropped it out or smoothed out an otherwise blue sky in Photoshop.

 

[explorea]

Please two more photos here:

http://photo.net/olympus-camera-forum/00QPF7

I have covered a long metal screw with matt paper. Not sure if it works. Haven't tested yet,

 

[dmr]

Please two more photos here:

http://photo.net/olympus-camera-forum/00QPF7

I have covered a long metal screw with matt paper. Not sure if it works. Haven't tested yet,

I see what you're trying to do. What I might recommend instead of paper is to go to a hobby shop and get a small bottle of flat black enamel and use that to cover anything that you think might be reflecting internally. That's what I used on the Canon GIII to cover the brass holes in the lens assembly.

I honestly can't tell if the artifact you're seeing is caused by reflections in the body behind the lens or flare and internal reflections within the lens.

 

[explorea]

Thanks! I like your idea about painting the shinny bits in my camera matte black. I will be able to do that, and hope that will solve the mysterious flares I'm getting.

 

[howpow]

Hi. I suspect that they are being caused by the sun hitting the front element of the lens from the side. These lens are not deeply recessed, and if the sun is to the side or above can shine directly on the front element. Try shading the lens with your hand and see if this helps.
Good luck, Howard

 

[explorea]

Howard,

Thanks! Your suggestion reminded me of somebody who used a 35mm film canister as a sunhood for his point & shoot. In his case, the canister fit perfectly and snugly onto his lens. I might want to take up your suggestion and try it out with a film canister as well. If the canister doesn't stay on the camera, I'll figure something out.