Three suns

[FDavel]

Hi there!

Can anybody explain the three suns in my picture? I used a kit 18-55 lens and a ND8 filter.

http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/galler...unrise&cat=518

Thanks!

[Richard Sloman]

I get the same effect when trying to photograph the moon, something to do with the reflections off the inside of the attached filters I think...

[sterretje]

I also had the same issue as Richard when I was still using UV filters while shooting the moon. Removed the filter and the problem was solved. So that might very well be your case as well.

[Nqina Dlamini]

You must admit, it would've been so cool if we lived in a triple sun system.

[Trevor Ives]

You must admit, it would've been so cool if we lived in a triple sun system.

Softer light....? i'm in!!!

[Henk Coetzee]

So you got three suns, not UFOs. The comments on this page are interesting. My guess is internal reflections involving the lens, filter and possibly sensor.

[Deneys]

Very interesting, a first for me. I agree on the reflection theory but could dust or water on the filter near the sun not do the same ?

[walterpike]

Suspect you are getting some refraction from the surfaces of the ND filter.

[AstraPics]

Suspect you are getting some refraction from the surfaces of the ND filter.

I think it's reflection, not refraction. Easy to check - remove the filters and shoot tonight's sunset.

[Henk Coetzee]

I think it's reflection, not refraction. Easy to check - remove the filters and shoot tonight's sunset.

This can just be very difficult to reproduce.

[SteveG]

sometimes lenses can produce these effects all by themselves, no filter attached. Internal reflections off the various elements of the lens.

I recall seeing this effect in a shot I took of the moon on film that had multiple images of the moon, no filters on the lens.

[FDavel]

OK. So lets assume that the extra suns are in fact caused by the not so neutral ND8 and graduated grey Cokin filters I had on the lens. How do I get around it? There is no way you can take this shot without the filters!!

BTW, thanks for all the comments and compliments.

[Henk Coetzee]

OK. So lets assume that the extra suns are in fact caused by the not so neutral ND8 and graduated grey Cokin filters I had on the lens. How do I get around it? There is no way you can take this shot without the filters!!

Nothing to do with how neutral the filter is or not. It's all about how reflective it is, assuming that it is the filter's fault. The reflections could also be happening inside the lens. The problem with fixing this sort of problem is isolating where it happened.

[Dave_]

Possibly also the make of the filter, some higher end filters have better coatings to deal with this type of thing, where cheaper filters are not as good.

When shooting directly at a light source, your chances of flare/reflections are very high. Not sure there is a definate answer to fix this.