I love Fuji X-series cameras – they have exceptionally good image quality, superb handling and they are just a lot of fun to shoot with. I have completed reviewing all Fuji X cameras that I have had during the last few months, including the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1 and the X100S. In short, an amazing array of cameras from Fuji. One issue that I overlooked while reviewing the cameras though, was the spotted ghosting issue caused by the X-Trans sensor in rare situations, as demonstrated below (shot with the Fuji 60mm f/2.4 Macro lens).
UPDATE: this turned out to be an issue with all mirrorless cameras that have a short flange distance. Please read this post to understand the issue in detail.
Since I am currently working on reviewing all Fuji X lenses, I had to go through each lens to test things like optical performance, chromatic aberrations, vignetting, distortion and flare / ghosting. During my flare / ghosting test, which involves photographing a scene with the sun in the frame at different apertures, I noticed a very interesting phenomenon – each lens that I used would produce spotted ghosts that looked very defined in a straight square pattern, in addition to the lens ghosts that we normally see from lenses. At first, I thought it was a lens issue. But then as I tested one lens after another, whether it was a native Fuji or a Zeiss lens, every single one of them showed the same pattern. After a couple of lenses, I realized that these patterns are not from optical characteristics of the X lenses or the types of coatings used in them, but rather internal reflections involving the X-Trans sensor.
When does it happen?
If you are wondering when you would potentially see this kind of pattern ghosting, it only happens in very rare situations, where a very bright source of light (such as sunlight) is in the frame and the lens is stopped down to f/11 and smaller apertures. At larger apertures the pattern is mixed with normal flare / ghosting and is not quite visible, but as soon as you get to f/11, the pattern shows up in most shots, depending on where the source of light is is positioned within the frame (see more on this below).
Proof that it is not lens reflections
It is normal for any lens to produce ghosting and flares when they are directed at bright sources of light. It happens due to internal reflections occurring within the lens. However, these reflections vary from one lens to another and they certainly vary by focal length. In the case of the Fuji X lenses, they each show different tolerances to ghosting and flare, but those optical characteristics are recorded separately from the pattern ghosting that I demonstrated in the very first image. Take another look at that same image and notice that the magenta / green ghosts from the lens actually show up from the center to the right of the image frame. The “rainbow” patterns surrounding the sun have nothing to do with those ghosts and those are coming from another source. Considering that the pattern is repetitive in a square box, I think that it is coming from the X-Trans sensor. Probably has to do with microlenses on the surface of the sensor that are very prone to reflections. Since the light is falling at extreme angles to the surface of the sensor when it passes through a small aperture opening, the angle of light is most likely the cause of such microlens reflections. Interestingly, this effect is minimized when the sun is in the center of the frame, as demonstrated below (shot with the Fuji 27mm f/2.8 lens at f/11):
However, the moment you move the source of light away from the center, all Fuji X-series cameras show the same problem. Here is an example of the same rainbow pattern that is seen in an image shot by the Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 at the same aperture of f/11:
And here is another example from the Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS shot at f/16:
As you can see, this pattern appears no matter what lens is used, which shows that it has nothing to do with optical reflections.
How to reduce rainbow ghosting
Unfortunately, those of us that like to photograph sunrises and sunsets with the sun in the frame using the Fuji X series cameras will have to think of ways to reduce this problem, since there is no other way to deal with it for now. Here is a list of suggestions to reduce the effect:
- If it is acceptable to your framing, position the source of light as close to the middle of the frame as possible – this seems to reduce the issue. However, this might not matter if the source of light is too bright, since the pattern might actually spill all over the frame.
- Try not to photograph very bright sources of light in the first place. During sunrises and sunsets, the sun should not be very bright when it is close to the horizon, which will naturally reduce such reflections. See if there are any natural ways of partially blocking the sun (such as trees, branches or leaves). I have done it a few times and it actually works even at very small apertures, as demonstrated below:
- Try not to go beyond f/8 if the rainbow pattern is noticeable at smaller apertures. If you are maxing out on the shutter speed, it is best to use a neutral density filter rather than stop down the lens.
I´m not saying, this isn´t a problem.
It is, but Olympus and Panasonic cameras suffer from this too…
I think lots of people think it´s normal lens flare and don´t see it as a problem, as it only happens at rare circumstances.
Christian, thanks for bringing this up – it was certainly something new to me as well. I will test my Olympus OM-D E-M5 later this week when the sun comes out and will update the article.
any news about EM5 results?
Posting it now!
Panasonic LX7…has it too:
www.dpreview.com/forum…t/50673011
It´s called “red dots” and sometimes “red spots” in the Olympus forums – see p.e. here:
www.flickr.com/group…883894721/
and here, further down the page:
visualsciencelab.blogspot.de/2011/…kirks.html
I think, the conclusion was, that there are red dots in every mirrorless camera to some extends.
I don’t think so. That one was a EPL-2 fault (and was even less intense) and was due to bad sensor. No other cameras has this problem ASAIK. If Fuji has the same behavior is indeed a sensor fault
I recall other cameras had this too? Sigma DP1 ect…
So it is obviously no X-trans related, but a general sensor problem that can be found in various cameras.
Christian, thanks for the links. Indeed – this seems to be a common problem on mirrorless cameras. I will shoot with my E-M5 when the sun comes out and update the article. I would be curious to know what exactly causes such issues…
Hi Nasim,
thanks for the read. You seem to think, this is a X-trans sensor or a Fuji problem…
It´s not! This is a common problem with lots of cameras – my Olympus Pen E-PL2 had it in the same way, I think even my good old Panasonic L1 had it. Can´t recall , if that´s a problem only with mirrorless cameras, but you´ll find posts about this in every camera forum, with lots of makers.
Seems to be normal in digital photography.
Hi Nasim. Have you tried the same type of shot with the X-A1? This has a non-X-Trans sensor so perhaps it should be ok? That may prove your thesis around the sensor type.
Reminds me of the old Cokin start filters! ;-)
Good advice in the article Nasim…
*star not *start
hello Nasim, after this great test what will be the following? Drop down?
wish you luck with that.
regards, peter
I believe it is a side effect of small aperture and very short flange distance, which in turn gives the big light angles.
That is another possibility! Will have to test my OM-D E-M5 to see if it has the same problem or not. Cloudy today, will have to wait for the sun to show up.
Thanks Nasim! I have a EM-5 and I’ve never seen a behavior like this. Definitely curios to see your test results (today it’s raining here so cannot try for myself)
I actually like it, if it is not easily provoked. Can already see a creative use for it. :) But I am pretty sure Fujifilm will fix it in future X-Trans iterations with some sort of microlens coating or something.
That would be nice!
Hi Nasim
Very interesting. I bought a Fuji X20 earlier this year as a walk about and back up for my D600
( which I was having problems with ! ) . I have not encountered any such problems and have been so impressed with the Xtrans system I was thinking of up grading to the XE 2. The only issue I have with the X 20 is the lack of wide angle – I’m used to a 16-35 on my D600! Now I’ve got a picture taken with the D600 and 16-35mm lens which looks to me a bit like one of your shots above and yes it was at f16. Anyway I can send it to you for comment ? email ?
Thanks
Kevin, you can send the image through the submit content form on the top of the page. Is the sun very bright in the frame, or partially blocked like above?
OK -Tried it – not sure it worked as I got a screen that said Comments closed- I sent it anyway.
The Sun is Blocked as I hope you can see.
Kevin, I looked at the image and that’s a very different issue – the flare and ghosts you see on your D600 is caused by the lens. There are no repetitive patterns as shown in the above images…
Thanks Nasim- I see what you mean about repetitive patterns. I’ve just re read your review of the 16-35mm Lens and you didn’t find any harsh flare or ghosting. Do you think there might be a problem with my lens ?
No, I don’t think you have a problem. Sometimes it is just the angle of the sun that can create flare/ghosting even in lenses that have excellent resistance to it. Also, filters can potentially add more flares/ghosts, so make sure that you use a high quality filter.