Random Lens Flare on 70-200 mm f/2.8 on Nikon D800

<p>Hi All<br>

I wonder if you can help me out<br>

the below is an example of an image taken with my friends 70-200mm f2.8.(AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II)</p>

<p><a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=zx7hqu" target="_blank"><img src="http://i63.tinypic.com/zx7hqu.jpg" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" /></a></p>

<p>Or can use this link <a href="http://tinypic.com/r/zx7hqu/9">http://tinypic.com/r/zx7hqu/9</a></p>

<p>This was shot yesterday at 200mm (wide open) Auto exposure, Aperture-priority AE, ¹<big>/</big>250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100, <br>

<br>

Does anyone have any idea what has happened here? Is it a fault with my settings (Nikon D800) or is this a problem with the lens itself. If I need to take it for lens repair what should i ask them to do to fix the problem?<br>

Regards<br>

K*</p><div></div>

UV filter?

 

I wouldn't fault the camera, you're shooting into the sun. Obliquely, but enough to catch a reflective/refracting surface.

 

What to do to fix it?

Change angle.

Block sun with hand.

Take off Tiffin filter, put on a PRO B+W MRC/Kaesemann filter

<p>Flares when shooting close to the sun are the Achilles heel of this lens. It's a great lens, but you do run into this effect now and then (that's why it comes with such a big lens hood!). If the hood isn't enough to stop the flare, I have an assistant hold a big reflector board or other item over my camera to shade the lens.</p>

The size of the lens hood actually shrank dramatically between 70-200 /2.8 VR-1 and VR-2, which doesn't help the

problem. Also the new smaller hood for the VR-2 also has curved, rather than straight, front edge. This makes it very

dangerous to stand the lens on its hood, unlike with every other Nikon lens hood. A totally idiotic design change.

<p>Ah, I didn't know that, Chuck. I only have the VR-1 version. I wonder why it was redesigned?</p>

<p>Thanks for these thoughts guys! I guess it's really a case of better luck next time? As long as there's nothing mechanically wrong with the camera/lens combo then that is great.</p>

<p>It still seems strange a bit. I have the 70-200 f/2.8 VRI and the 70-200mm F/4 VR and both don't produce flares to the extent you experienced. But as Chuck pointed out, it is probably the redesigned lens hood.</p>

<p>I don't remember ever seeing flare like that from the 70-200/2.8 II. Usually when I have the sun just outside of the frame I get a general "white cloud" that covers most of the image area fairly evenly. With the Mk I of that lens I usually got many ghosts and some flare, in a similar situation but with the Mk II I don't remember having seen ghosting. </p>

<p>Very strange shape for a lens flare, looks like result from sun shinig through te view finde , ( using live view for this picture ?<br>

Or rmaybe a reflection from a window straight to the right of the lens, or possibly (rain) drops on the front lens ?<br>

Normal flair from the sun does not have these strange angles like to the right of the picture, since it is a "single point light source" of sorts..</p>

<p>Surprised you didn't see it in the viewfinder.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Surprised you didn't see it in the viewfinder.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Flares are often not obvious in the OVF. A digital display shows them better, but it may not be most useful in bright light either.</p>

<p>Thanks guys, </p>

<p>so you don't think that there is a problem with the lens at all just a problem with my positioning and shooting into the sun?</p>