"UFO's" on pictures with "Kenko Smart Filter"

The other day I was just out snapping at night an eventually I found these blue orbs floating in the sky. I snapped a bunch of pictures only to realize it was the filter creating them. Its the "Kenko Smart Filter MC UV 370"¨, and the guy in the store said they wont interfere with my shots at all. Is it malfunctioning/defect or did he straight up lie to me inte the store? He was talking about his 50.000 dollar Hasselblad camera and such so I kinda took him for a professional.

The reason I bought it was to protect my new 50mm/1.8G lense, but if I have to remove it all the time I might as well return it and use my lense cover.

Thanks

I don't normally get this effect with my UV filters, but to be sure I would try and re-create the problem, and then take the same shot (Tripod could be handy) with the filter removed to see if you get the same thing.... It could just be the angle of the street lights and not a fault of the filter at all.

Yeah I snapped 10 shots with the filter @ 30 sec expo. Then I kept moving cuz I hadnt figured out that it was the filter yet. I stop to shoot a bench with a street light and i get the same blue light on the grass. Bingo, it has to be the filter. I removed it and it hasnt happened since. It doesnt always happen, in fact it has only happened on night shots so far, but I told the salesman that night shots was my interest.

Thanks for the fast reply

Are you using a lens hood as a filter moves the front surface forward so it is more likley to catch reflections ect

I was using a lens hood and my UV filter. The "dots" didnt appear without the uv-filter as I said but I didnt try without the lens hood as there were so many street lights around me.

I haven't used a Kenko filter before, but l would read this interesting article UV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com and then consider returning the filter - If you mainly do night photography and this filter isn't cutting it for you, then return it and either see how you get on without one at all, or go for a different brand and see if that works for you.

Could just be a one of filter fault,ime using a Kenko on my tamron and not noticed anything

No mention that a DSLR doesn't need a UV filter as it already has one?

Gorf said:

No mention that a DSLR doesn't need a UV filter as it already has one?

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Yes but some of us prefer a filter on after losing a new lens to a sticky blob that damaged the lens coating,wouldn't have thought being a uv mattered if your shooting raw

Mikew: Are you using the kenko on your tamron for night shots as well?

mikew said:

Yes but some of us prefer a filter on after losing a new lens to a sticky blob that damaged the lens coating,wouldn't have thought being a uv mattered if your shooting raw

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I agree with the protection, but that's what Protector filters are for.

HOYA | The Difference is Clear

30 second, filtered exposures are notorious for showing reflected light sources that bounce between the lens front and filter back. There's almost no reason to have a filter on during a 30 second exposure unless it's an ND. You don't need to protect it on the tripod - take it off, and put it back on when you're done.

BackdoorHippie said:

30 second, filtered exposures are notorious for showing reflected light sources that bounce between the lens front and filter back. There's almost no reason to have a filter on during a 30 second exposure unless it's an ND. You don't need to protect it on the tripod - take it off, and put it back on when you're done.

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Ah. This actually makes a lot of sense. But I still feel a bit fooled by the salesman as I wont go out and shoot during daytime much, so very long exposures are expected.

Thanks for all the input. I think I will call the shop and talk to them tomorrow.

Regards
Richard

BackdoorHippie said:

30 second, filtered exposures are notorious for showing reflected light sources that bounce between the lens front and filter back. There's almost no reason to have a filter on during a 30 second exposure unless it's an ND. You don't need to protect it on the tripod - take it off, and put it back on when you're done.

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Jake will you please stop doing other things,you knowledge is needed here all the time

I didnt know that about long exposures

mikew said:

Jake will you please stop doing other things,you knowledge is needed here all the time

I didnt know that about long exposures

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I simply follow the money. I'd be a rather expensive moderator, but I'd sure enjoy it a bit more.

To be clear, it occurs more often when the light source is in the frame. Follow the shape of the lights and you can see the inverted and mirrored distribution of the same points of light. If you're simply doing a long exposure that's lit from behind the filter will likely not bother you ... but cover up that eye piece!!