Strange "flare" on long M9 exposures

[kennylovrin]

Hi guys

I was out trying out some long exposures today for the first time with my M9. I used a 10stop ND filter and my exposures we're between 18-25 seconds..

All those shots show a similar artifact in the bottom right corner of the images, I tried a few shots without filter as well and they are fine.

So my question is, does anyone know if this is something that is "broken"? Could it be something going on with the dark frame noise reduction perhaps? It just doesn't look like something that is expected to happen. 🙂

Example:

Thanks!

Kenny

 

[Photo_Smith]

I'm going to suggest flare, what make is your filter? could it be only coated on one surface?
Just my guess.

 

[kennylovrin]

I'm going to suggest flare, what make is your filter? could it be only coated on one surface?
Just my guess.

Is it not slightly strange that it is so cleanly cut off in the bottom though if it is a flare? And that there is a faint "rainbow gradient" in it? I'm not that well versed when it comes to flare. 🙂

The filter is a pretty expensive B+W ND110 which is multicoated on both sides as far as I know. Brand new as well, came straight out of the box onto the camera for this shoot.

Also, the flare is basically exactly the same on all shots, even though I changed position and direction relative to the sun..

Kenny

 

[kennylovrin]

Perhaps this adds some clarification, this is a screenshot from Aperture:

 

[hellomikmik]

Try to put the lens cap on and make a long exposure in daylight to see if it's not a light leak.

 

[kennylovrin]

Thanks for the replies, perhaps I should have googled it before though. Found this on the Leica forum and it seems to conclude the lens mount is leaky and that the fix is to put a hair band around the lens. 😉 Lovely, could use some accessories to my very cheap camera!

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/300680-monochrom-long-exposure-issue.html

Better than a broken sensor though. 🙂

 

[Photo_Smith]

Glad you found the answer!

 

[Howarthp]

The other thing it could be is a loose Filter. I suffered something similar on my SLR and found out the filter (a screw type) was loose.

 

[kennylovrin]

Just for future reference I wanted to share part of a response I got from Leica. Of course when I first saw this issue I died a bit inside, and I also did send them an email to ask about this.

I got a response today, which I guess makes sense (also, I had a similar problem on my DSLR when doing the same kinds of exposures, it is somewhat of an extreme situation).

....
The mechanical construction cannot prevent that some stray light is getting into the body, because the daylight is used for the frame line illumination.

To avoid this effect, we recommend to cover the frameline illumination window, when making daylight-longtime-exposures.

...

I think this makes sense and I find it to be an acceptable answer. It's not ideal of course, but then again, what is. Too bad I didn't know it was going to be as extreme before I started, but now I know. 🙂

Kenny

 

[jaapv]

Normally the light leak is not the viewfinder but the lens mount, especially with a heavy lens like the Noctilux. Remove the scrunchy from your wife’s hair and fit it on the lens to cover the mount.