sunspots

[bigbo]

Being relatively new to photography, taking pictures of the sun and sunsets, using a clear filter I get sort of sun spots along one side is this due to the filter or other things, would appreciate if one can avoid this or is it normal.

[dcclark]

These are usually called "sun flare" and are a result of light bouncing around between the filter and lens. I'm guessing that you have a cheap UV (clear) filter. Typically, higher quality filters are "multicoated", meaning that they have special chemical coatings which reduce reflections (and flare) and increase light transmission.

This is one of the dangers of cheap filters. In addition, it happens more if you shoot into the sun a lot -- so avoid that unless you really need to do it!

[candleman]

cheap filters can magnify the issue, but any lens will get lensflare if pointed at a lightsource.
the more expensive lenses (the coatings dcclarke mentioned) reduce the liklihood of this happening.