Sunset patterns

[Meya]

I have a new Samsung GX 10. I took several pictures of a sunset yesterday and all of them have this "floral" pattern as opposes to the star shapes one gets with special filters. Bearing in mind that I am completely new to digital photography and have not had a decent camera for years... I wondered if someone could tell me why I got this particular pattern and how to not get it.
As far as I can tell these are the bits of info that go with this photo: P (program line?), AF.S , 1/180 , F11 , 50mm , ISO 100 AWB. For what it's worth, I took several in different settings and they all had this effect except for the ones where the sun was actually dipping into the horison. I hope someone can enlighten me. Thanks



SG100257.jpg

[Lucy_Lou]

great shot. but personally I think it's a bit dark

[JerBear]

This looks like a filter problem. Similar effect is had with a "Star" filter. A lot of cheap UV filters will do this. You normally don't see the effect unless in extreme settings. Try taking the filter off and see what happens.

If you do not have any filter on the camera, then your lens is the problem

Good luck

JM

[oldwolf]

could be the aperture itself. i think high f/stops do this to your light sources. not sure where i read that. i'd wait for others to pipe in with their opinions before believing this though hehe.

to avoid it you'd have to use a lower f/stop so instead of f/11 go with f/5.6 or something

[Meya]

Thank you for very kind advice. I think it is very likely that it is the aperture. I shall go and play some more and see what happens. Will hopefully post some decent shots sometime in the near future!

[fletch]

looks like its a combination of pixel bleed and the narrow aperture. Pixel bleed may not be the correct term but it is what happens when a portion of a photo is over exposed by so much that not only do the pixels relating to that spot blow out but the light bleeds over to neighbouring pixels and they become brighter or blow out as well.

If you shoot at a large aperture the pattern may change (due to less diffraction from the aperture blades) but the blow out will still occour. It will probably be more blob like than star like so the look you have may be the lesser of two evils.

[Meya]

That makes good sense, thanks.

I went to look at your blog. I really like the photos with movement.

[fletch]

Thanks. they are some of my favourite to shoot. Lots of luck required as well though!

[1downfall]

Think I agree with most on aperature setting. Although to me, f/11 does not seem quite narrow enough to create the starburst effect. I know w/my gear, 30D and really any lens....f/18-f/30 would give me this effect.
Maybe f/11 for this type of camera though.

[navcom]

Meya,

I would also agree that it could be a cheap UV filter (if you are using one) or aperture, as has been stated already. I would agree that f/11 is about where you should be for sunsets/sunrises. Wide open and you run the risk of blowing highlights. Stopped way down and you loose IQ and risk lens flare.

But it is also possible it is the lens itself. I have used a Pentax K10D (same camera as yours) and have one particular lens that does that all the time (a kit lens I had from my film ZX-7). I was told it could be just the flare qualities of the lens...usually the sign of a cheaper lens as well. Also, it may be caused by using an older lens designed for use on a film camera (different coating).

My Pentax DA 40mm limited lens is the best I have for sun flare. I also use a wide DA 10-17mm and an old Pentax M 28mm f/3.5 without UV filters and the results have been wonderful as well.