Can You Tell Me What Causes This?

[Blackie1956]

Hello all, first posting here. I have a little Panosonic Lumix that I use every day. It is around 2-years old, and has recently been making me see stars! Have a look. I'm assuming the problem is being caused by lens surface defects which is causing the scattering of light rays, yet the AR coating and lens surface looks to be in pretty good shape when I had a look. Is this camera toast, or is there a solution?

 

[astroNikon]

That's pretty kewl. Though distracting.

Do you have any screw on filter on the lens ??

What exact camera, lens do you have as Panasonic makes a bunch of Lumix models?

 

[tirediron]

Wow... never seen anything that extreme. Are you certain that there's no built-in "enhancement" feature that causes this? Normally it's a result of stopping down the aperture, but again, never seen it like that.

 

[Designer]

Back in the olden days we had to buy a special filter to get that effect.

 

[pixmedic]

start selling outdoor portrait sessions on FB and craigslist using that camera.

i havent seen an effect like that without the help of either a special filter or software.

 

[astroNikon]

Some Lumix cameras have a "Star Filter " Creative Effect
which would create this same problem. See about half way down as an example ==> Pre-set scene modes & creative effects filters - Lumix G Experience

 

[zombiesniper111 10]

The universe thought the shot could use a little help.........or probably what astroNikon said.

 

[Blackie1956]

Do you have any screw on filter on the lens ?? No.

What exact camera, lens do you have as Panasonic makes a bunch of Lumix models?
The model DMC-ZS40. It is a point and shoot style camera. There are no "creative" filters offered with the camera, and so none were accidental chosen.

 

[SCraig]

Don't know where it's coming from but that's a Star-4 filter effect. It's too regular to be anything else.

As Designer said we used to have to buy glass filters to do that (I have a couple). As I recall they came in 4, 6, and 8 point stars.

 

[astroNikon]

Do you have any screw on filter on the lens ?? No.

What exact camera, lens do you have as Panasonic makes a bunch of Lumix models?
The model DMC-ZS40. It is a point and shoot style camera. There are no "creative" filters offered with the camera, and so none were accidental chosen.

Then when did it start happening,
and what occurred between the camera being okay and doing star stuff .. like did you drop it, let someone else play with it, etc ?

 

[waday]

What exact camera, lens do you have as Panasonic makes a bunch of Lumix models?
The model DMC-ZS40. It is a point and shoot style camera. There are no "creative" filters offered with the camera, and so none were accidental chosen.

The DMC-ZS40 does have creative filters, as @astroNikon mentioned.

See manual here: ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dmc-zs40_en_adv_om.pdf

Is the dial set to the paint brush?

 

[astroNikon]

The camera *has* a Starry Sky mode. ... according to Panasonic's website.

Panasonic DMC-ZS40S - LUMIX DMC-ZS40 30X Super Zoom 18.1mp Travel Digital Camera - Silver

• Creative Control modeExpressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter, One Point Color (15 filters)
• Still Image Scene ModePortrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Handheld Night Shot, Food, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Glass Through, HDR, Starry Sky, High Speed Video, 3D Photo

 

[Braineack]

Don't know where it's coming from but that's a Star-4 filter effect. It's too regular to be anything else.

As Designer said we used to have to buy glass filters to do that (I have a couple). As I recall they came in 4, 6, and 8 point stars.

I like the flares on the hot-spots on the ground.

 

[Alexr25]

RTFM ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dmc-zs40_en_adv_om.pdf
Creative filter page 110.
Star Filter page 117.

 

[astroNikon]

Don't know where it's coming from but that's a Star-4 filter effect. It's too regular to be anything else.

As Designer said we used to have to buy glass filters to do that (I have a couple). As I recall they came in 4, 6, and 8 point stars.

I like the flares on the hot-spots on the ground.

yeah, pretty kewl.

I have a 6 and 8 point star effect filter. But the stars arms are long. I like this effect better on any hot spot!!