What is this?

[dpksh]

I noticed this reflection on some christmas light pictures I took. Anyone know what causes this??? Please don't tell me something is wrong with my camera...

Here you can see the reflection in the sky:


And here the lights are relfecting in the bush behind the trees... (there are no lights on the bushes):

[bascott]

It is caused by an internal reflection of the lens. If you notice in picture one, it matches the bright string of lights on that middle house.

[dpksh]

How do you get rid of it or prevent it?

[moby]

I think that is not the camera.
Perhaps it is related to the window lights.

[bascott]

Originally Posted by dpksh

How do you get rid of it or prevent it?

I'm guessing you were using a zoom lens, it has more elements and is more prone to lens flare. The combination of a zoom lens and bright lights will give you this issue.

[moby]

Originally Posted by dpksh

How do you get rid of it or prevent it?

maybe change the angle of the camera.
raise higher tripod and camera at a right angle

[dpksh]

It looks like it's the upside down relection of the lights on the 3rd house from the right... but is it because my aperture is too wide? Can I fix it other than PS? Like on the lighted tree one, it looks like an upside version of the tree in the bush.

[dpksh]

Originally Posted by bascott

I'm guessing you were using a zoom lens, it has more elements and is more prone to lens flare. The combination of a zoom lens and bright lights will give you this issue.

I was using a 35mm, no zoom.

House picture:
exp: 2.5
f/4.0
35mm
ISO: 125

Tree picture:
exp: 1/4
f/4.0
35mm
ISO: 125

[dpksh]

Originally Posted by moby

maybe change the angle of the camera.
raise higher tripod and camera at a right angle

Okay I'll try that tonight when the sun goes down. As long as it isn't something wrong internally with my camera or lens I think I can handle it I just didn't want to have to get anything repaired.

[equilution]

Interesting phenomenon. Do you have a filter on the lens? If so, and the aperture is closed down, that might do it also. If you have a filter, or multiple filters stacked pushing them out further from the lens, it may happen.