Rainbows around lights

[Jonesbeach]

Whenever I've taken some low light shots I get rainbows around any light source that's in the frame. Do any of you know what causes it and how to prevent it? Right now I'm shooting with a 350D and the kit 18-55 lens. Thanks,

Steve

[Derf]

Take your filter off ;)

[Jonesbeach]

I haven't bought any filters yet. All I'm using is the camera right out of the box. Any help you guys can give is really appreciated.

[nwafan20]

I don't know, that's kind of a Wizard of Oz/Star Trek/Fairy Princess Wonderland look. You should keep it!

[PHL Approach]

What f stop were you at? Im gonna guess you were way down?

[Jonesbeach]

On the first picture, the F stop was 1/3.5, the exposure time was 1/6 seconds and the camera was set to ISO 100.
On the second picture, the f stop was 1/5.6, the exposure time was 0.8 seconds and the camera was set to ISO 100.

[PHL Approach]

Low F stops at night will give you tons of flare. I shoot moving trains at night handheld even at f 2.8 and I always expect lens flare from the headlights. Did you ever get that same type flare while shooting say f/ 8? If not, go out and shoot at higher f stops and see what you get, let us know what happens.

[Jonesbeach]

Thanks, I'll try that next time. Just out of curiousity, do you know what actually causes lens flare?

Edit: OK, I found it myself, once I tried looking! If anyone else is interested in what causes lens flare:

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutori ... -flare.htm