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[scud]

I am using a crown graphic 4x5 with a 135 Optar. I am having lens flare even with a poloraized filter and lens hood. Any suggestions to stopping the flare, and could the filter actually be more problem than its solving ?

Thanks for any help,

Scud

[Les]

I think in terms of two types of flare-- one is circles or rings that show up on the image on axis with a specular light source. The other type of flare is an overall degration of contrast and definition caused by non image forming light filling the bellows but not directly striking the film. The circles are caused by internal reflections in the lens and yes any filters too.

Polarizers have the greatest effect at 90° from the sun-- with your thumb and index finger shaped like a gun, point your thumb at the sun and your finger will show you where the polariser works. If the sun is in the shot, it's useless and can contribute to flare.

On the other hand if the sun is behind you and your photographing chrome garden gazing balls with brilliant blue polarized sky then the flare is coming from the ball and there's not a whole lot you can do except get a new expensive lens.

You can check the coating/condition of the lens. Take the lens off the camera open the shutter and the aperture. Using a mini mag lite shine the light from the rear while you are looking AT the lens from OFF axis- not directly into the light. Any scratches will refract the light and you will see them clearly. If the lens has been cleaned with steel wool then that's a problem.

The next place to put that mini mag light, or a 40 w bulb on an extension cord is inside the bellows while the camera is in a darkened room. Check for pinholes. If the pin hole is in the right place it will cause streaking of the film, if its small enough it can cause a secondary image on the film. but it can cause a shaft of light to fill the bellows with light and degrade the contrast--much like being in a movie theater when somebody opens a door to the outside at noon.