Vignetting Problem: Defective Camera?

[syberascal]

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However, the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[T-Rex]

Did you test with flash on? The four corner's can be a bit darker as their distance from the flash are a bit far away than the centre to the flash.

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures
without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a
white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have
to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However,
the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting
should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or
comments would be greatly appreciated.

--
Cheers
T-Rex

Minolta D7Hi, 3600HS(D)
IBM 1G MicroDrive
N Plus 128MB CF
Panasonic 128MB SD
Casio Exilim EX-M2
Canon EOS 50E
Sigma 28-105mm F2.8
Cullmann 0741
Gitzo G026
Sony VAIO C1VGT
IBM 30GB Travelstar in enclosure

http://www.pbase.com/cnemil

 

[Hans59567]

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures
without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a
white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have
to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However,
the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting
should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or
comments would be greatly appreciated.

Slight vignetting can best be provoked with, high contrast, very low available light, widest lens aperture (no flash to exclude irregular lightning of flash) Maybe you will even discover then that the white wall is not so evenly lighted as you supposed.
Hans

 

[Jeff/UK]

try taking a picture of something that has a pattern on it then zoom in at the corners

do you see the pattern, only darker? you should - this is normal light amplitude fall off for a wide angle lens

if you don't see the pattern and you can't see any after bumping the brightness in photoshop, then you do have vignetting and that isn't normal if you have no filters or hood on the camera.
--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm

 

[syberascal]

First of all, I would like thank everyone for responding!

Clarification to my original posting: I'm not using the built in flash (or any flash) during these tests. I think that I had said this in my original posting, but just in case: I'm not using any filters during these tests.

Here are some followup questions: what would be considered normal lighting? I ask this question because during my testing, I was taking pictures indoors in a room with 'ok' lighting. Also, is it normal to experience vignetting in low lighting (or indoor lighting)? If so, how do I avoid this problem because I like to take a lot of pictures indoors?

Again, thanks to all! Look forward to hearing from you.

try taking a picture of something that has a pattern on it then
zoom in at the corners

do you see the pattern, only darker? you should - this is normal
light amplitude fall off for a wide angle lens

if you don't see the pattern and you can't see any after bumping
the brightness in photoshop, then you do have vignetting and that
isn't normal if you have no filters or hood on the camera.
--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm

 

[Hans59567]

Here are some followup questions: what would be considered normal
lighting? I ask this question because during my testing, I was
taking pictures indoors in a room with 'ok' lighting. Also, is it
normal to experience vignetting in low lighting (or indoor
lighting)? If so, how do I avoid this problem because I like to
take a lot of pictures indoors?

Well, I did put a picture for you on Pbase so you can see what is normal vignetting. It was taken in very low light to test how far I could go with prolonged time settings using the monopod I just bought for my sons birthday. Here is the link: http://www.pbase.com/image/12844043/original.jpg

You can use a one stop smaller aperture or zoom in till 35 mm, or crop it off. if you want to get rid of it.
Hans

 

[Jeff/UK]

i don't think your picture shows vignetting. vignetting is when something fully blocks the light - your image shows the brightness drop off away from centre that occurs with wide angle lens. i had a play and using the dodge tool i was able to see detail in the corners - although hard to see with the plain wall but you can see carpet in the lower right even before dodging.

this is why i suggest shooting an image filled with detail so that it can be more easily verified that there is detail in the corners, just darker than the rest of the scene.

this is an example of vignetting. in this case, it is caused by a 55mm polarisor on my 7i when shooting at 28mm. i've now got a 62mm that doesn't vignet at 28mm.
http://www.pbase.com/image/12846314/original
(resized)
this pic needed some serious cropping. obviously lol....

--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm

 

[syberascal]

Jeff and Hans

Thanks for your quick responses!

At this point, I think I'm confused as to whether or not I'm seeing vignetting or a significant drop off in light in the corners during wide angle shoots. After reading the latest replies, I think that I'm experiencing significant light drop off.

This afternoon I was able to take a couple more test shots (which have some detail, as suggested in some responses). I took the these shots at the widest aperature. (I would post these pictures now, but I having some trouble at the moment. Maybe I will have better luck this evening.)

To make a long story short, I have never had any problems with light drop off in the corners with my 35mm SLR. Even at 28mm, I have never experienced the drop off that I'm experiencing with the 7i. In comparison to the computer shot posted, I have a lot more light drop off (or vignetting). Is there is normal with the 7i? Just curious, was the sample shots (shared) taken with a flash?

Again, thanks for your help!

i don't think your picture shows vignetting. vignetting is when
something fully blocks the light - your image shows the brightness
drop off away from centre that occurs with wide angle lens. i had
a play and using the dodge tool i was able to see detail in the
corners - although hard to see with the plain wall but you can see
carpet in the lower right even before dodging.

this is why i suggest shooting an image filled with detail so that
it can be more easily verified that there is detail in the corners,
just darker than the rest of the scene.

this is an example of vignetting. in this case, it is caused by a
55mm polarisor on my 7i when shooting at 28mm. i've now got a 62mm
that doesn't vignet at 28mm.
http://www.pbase.com/image/12846314/original
(resized)
this pic needed some serious cropping. obviously lol....

--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm

 

[Tortellino]

Why don't you post a sample? It's hard to tell whether something is normal or not without seeing it.

Torte

In comparison to the computer shot posted, I have a lot more
light drop off (or vignetting). Is there is normal with the 7i?
Just curious, was the sample shots (shared) taken with a flash?

 

[Hans59567]

To make a long story short, I have never had any problems with
light drop off in the corners with my 35mm SLR. Even at 28mm, I
have never experienced the drop off that I'm experiencing with the
7i. In comparison to the computer shot posted, I have a lot more
light drop off (or vignetting). Is there is normal with the 7i?
Just curious, was the sample shots (shared) taken with a flash?

Thought without flash, but to be sure I made a new one in very low light ( central 150 halogen glow bulb dimmed till about 1/4 power). Your message was blown from the screen. No flash, widest aperture and 1/6 second, tripod. I would call that slight lightfall, best seen in the left upper corner, vignetting, but it is not that bad and it disappears when I lighten up the pic a thad in Photoshop. The light fall is under test conditions symmetrical. Have an D7, but that can make no difference IMO.
New link: http://www.pbase.com/image/12849864/original
Hans

 

[Hans59567]

To make a long story short, I have never had any problems with
light drop off in the corners with my 35mm SLR. Even at 28mm, I
have never experienced the drop off that I'm experiencing with the
7i. In comparison to the computer shot posted, I have a lot more
light drop off (or vignetting). Is there is normal with the 7i?
Just curious, was the sample shots (shared) taken with a flash?

Thought without flash, but to be sure I made a new one in very low
light ( central 150 halogen glow bulb dimmed till about 1/4 power).
Your message was blown from the screen. No flash, widest aperture
and 1/6 second, tripod. I would call that slight lightfall, best
seen in the left upper corner, vignetting, but it is not that bad
and it disappears when I lighten up the pic a thad in Photoshop.
The light fall is under test conditions symmetrical. Have an D7,
but that can make no difference IMO.
New link: http://www.pbase.com/image/12849864/original
Hans

Forget to mention that I have a permanent UV filter on the camera, a Marumi, 19 $$, just because the trusted dealer did put that in my hands.
Hans

 

[graham W.]

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures
without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a
white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have
to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However,
the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting
should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or
comments would be greatly appreciated.

No promlem with my D7i at 28mm. Are you using the lens shade? if it is not fully "clicked" in position it will cause vignetting also apparantly minolta correct in firmware for edge falloff at 28mm

The lens was originally made for the dimage5 (smaller sensor hence 35-250mm 7x zoom) so it is really being pushed to its limits at 28mm that is why you have to really chose filters carefully and why no "converter" really works

regards Graham

 

[Jeff/UK]

is your slr lens a zoom or a prime? also, i'm not sure, but i suspect that since the 7i lens is actually only 7mm(ish) that this is also a factor when compared with 35mm lens.

--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm

 

[syberascal]

My SLR is a 28mm - 105mm Nikon zoom.

is your slr lens a zoom or a prime? also, i'm not sure, but i
suspect that since the 7i lens is actually only 7mm(ish) that this
is also a factor when compared with 35mm lens.

--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm

 

[syberascal]

No lens shade or filter. I was hoping to post some samples, but my machine seems to crash or hang up during the pasting process. Hopefully, a machine reboot will solve the problem, and I will be able to post a sample or two.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help.

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures
without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a
white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have
to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However,
the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting
should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or
comments would be greatly appreciated.

No promlem with my D7i at 28mm. Are you using the lens shade? if it
is not fully "clicked" in position it will cause vignetting also
apparantly minolta correct in firmware for edge falloff at 28mm
The lens was originally made for the dimage5 (smaller sensor hence
35-250mm 7x zoom) so it is really being pushed to its limits at
28mm that is why you have to really chose filters carefully and
why no "converter" really works

regards Graham

 

[syberascal]

I have a couple test shots I would like to share with everyone, but I can't get my machine/software to paste them into this forum. I must be an idiot but I haven't figure out why it isn't working. Can someone please tell me how they paste pics into this dialog box? Thanks.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help.

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures
without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a
white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have
to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However,
the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting
should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or
comments would be greatly appreciated.

No promlem with my D7i at 28mm. Are you using the lens shade? if it
is not fully "clicked" in position it will cause vignetting also
apparantly minolta correct in firmware for edge falloff at 28mm
The lens was originally made for the dimage5 (smaller sensor hence
35-250mm 7x zoom) so it is really being pushed to its limits at
28mm that is why you have to really chose filters carefully and
why no "converter" really works

regards Graham

 

[syberascal]

Oh, I forgot to tell everyone: I'm using Win XP Pro and PhotoElements.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help.

I'm experiencing vignetting (at all 4 corners) when taking pictures
without a filter at 28mm. To test for vignetting, I'm using a
white wall with a flat finish. After searching the forum, I have
to come to conclusion that my camera may be defective? However,
the search results don't talk much about what level of lighting
should be available to make a sound decision. Any thoughts or
comments would be greatly appreciated.

No promlem with my D7i at 28mm. Are you using the lens shade? if it
is not fully "clicked" in position it will cause vignetting also
apparantly minolta correct in firmware for edge falloff at 28mm
The lens was originally made for the dimage5 (smaller sensor hence
35-250mm 7x zoom) so it is really being pushed to its limits at
28mm that is why you have to really chose filters carefully and
why no "converter" really works

regards Graham

 

[Hans59567]

Can someone please tell me how they paste pics into this dialog
box? Thanks.

Hi Syberascal,
Most frequently asked question, but here you go:

You can't embed a picture directly in your message: You have to put it first onto a photosite and link it with its URL from there. Many are using http://www.pbase.com around here, but there are a lot more.
Success.
Hans.

 

[syberascal]

Hans,

I appreciate your response.

I have seen where some people have posted pictures within their replies/postings. This is were I was having trouble. I planned to join a Pbase like site, but I haven't got around to it, because I just got the camera. Joining a Pbase like site itsn't a problem, but I'm still mystify how people are posting their pictures within their replies/postings.

I see a lot of people are using Pbase. I have also heard a lot of good things about Pbase. I was just curious to know if there are any other similiar sites that I should consider before going with Pbase or should I slap the money for Pbase because it's a no brainer.

Again, thanks for your help.

Can someone please tell me how they paste pics into this dialog
box? Thanks.

Hi Syberascal,
Most frequently asked question, but here you go:
You can't embed a picture directly in your message: You have to put
it first onto a photosite and link it with its URL from there. Many
are using http://www.pbase.com around here, but there are a lot more.
Success.
Hans.

 

[Hans59567]

I have seen where some people have posted pictures within their
replies/postings. This is were I was having trouble. I planned to
join a Pbase like site, but I haven't got around to it, because I
just got the camera. Joining a Pbase like site itsn't a problem,
but I'm still mystify how people are posting their pictures within
their replies/postings.

I see a lot of people are using Pbase. I have also heard a lot of
good things about Pbase. I was just curious to know if there are
any other similiar sites that I should consider before going with
Pbase or should I slap the money for Pbase because it's a no
brainer.

Yeah, I was too short: To get pictures embedded in this dialogue box you have to set them first on a site. Launching your message is a two step rocket then. Your message is taken up directly from your computer and the picture is loaded from the site where you link is pointing to and then taken up in the body of your message. If you want to spare bandwith you can place, with a slightly other idiom, only the link to your pic.
Look at "+Help" left under the dialogues box when you reply.

Pbase is good, you will hear no bad word about it. The owner started it for free and kept it still without ads. It grew so fast that he had to put in so much money for more and faster connections that he started with asking small donations. Most users donated, including me. Now you have to pay ? Well, it will be well spend then. Fast, simple and still without adds. Indeed a no brainer to go along with them (him).
Hans