 Cathy Goldman |
? shadow on flash pictures with 17-55 f/2.8 EFS Pictures taken with a flash show a large shadow at the bottom of the picture. Is this a flaw in the lense or filter? Should I be using the filter indoors?Any suggestions? Thanks you for your input.
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Jon Close |
Skylight filter has nothing to do with the shadow, but shouldn't be used with digital cameras. It is a subtle color correcting filter for use with film. That function is more effeciently accomplished with the white balance, either in-camera or in post-processing. If you are using the AWB setting then the camera is correcting the corrrection. ;-) It's ok to use as a "protective" filter, but be aware that it may be the source of flare and ghosting reflections. The shadow when using flash is due to the 17-55 being a relatively large diameter and blocks some of the light from the low mounted built in flash. Take off the lens hood if you are using it, or avoid the widest zoom settings where the shadowing will be most apparent. The shadowing can be eliminated by using a smaller lens (like the kit EF-S 18-55 if you have it), or an accessory flash in the hotshoe that sits much higher and is not blocked by the lens.
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Cathy Goldman |
Jon, You have been so helpful with both questions I have asked since joining better photo. Thank you so much for all the technical advice. Since I purchased the wrong filter, do you have advice as to which all-around one I should have to protect lense? You really seem to know equipment. The accessory flash was in my future plans. I'm glad to know it will help with some shadowing. In all other respects I like the new lens, especially the IS feature. I have a brand new granddaughter (6 days old) and am trying to take some close-up natural photos (no flash) of her. Thanks again
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Jon Close |
Glad to help, Cathy. A UV or Clear protective filter doesn't have any color and can be used for lens protection. Filters that are multicoated have better flare resistance than those that are single or uncoated. Hoya has several lines of multicoated filters - HMC, S-HMC, Pro 1 Digital. Other recommended brands are B+W MRC, Heliopan SH-PMC, Tiffen Digital HT. The less expensive standard lines of Hoya and Tiffen (and Canon filters are made by Tiffen) are good quality glass but are generally uncoated.
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David A. Bliss |
To UV filter or not to UV filter, that always seems to be the question! ;-) I don't use a UV filter on any of my lenses. I do mostly landscapes, so very often I have a GND (or two), or polarizer, or ND, so I don't want to have yet another piece of glass on the lens in the way of a UV filter. My suggestion if you go with a UV filter is don't go cheap. You have laid out a pretty penny for a camera and a nice lens, why would you then put a cheap piece of glass (or plastic) on the end of it? Weakest link of a chain type of thing... Some people swear by the UV filter, backed up by stories of dropped lenses where the UV filter took the brunt of the impact. I have never used one, and have never had a problem (knock wood) and am pretty rough with my gear.
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Cathy Goldman |
David, Thank you so much for taking the time to educate me on filters. I have been taking off the one I purchased (wrong one according to Jon) and have gotten some pretty good pictures. I, too thought I would use it to protect this expensive lens I purchased hoping it would improve my pictures. Now can you educate me as to what GND means? Wasn't it obvious I'm a total rookie? Thanks, Cathy ps. You take beautiful pictures!!
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David A. Bliss |
GND is graduated neutral density. Here are a couple of links. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduated_neutral_density_filter And an article on how to do it in PS. http://www.betterphoto.com/article.php?id=100
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