r/Nikon

Hey everyone,

I recently took a trip to Japan and picked up a second-hand Nikon Zf along with the 40mm f/2 lens. Both were rated Grade A by the shop.

For some context, I’ve shot film for almost my entire life, but I finally decided it was time to give digital a serious try again. During my trip, I noticed a strange, prominent white arc flare showing up in quite a few of my shots.

Here is what I’ve observed so far:

• Landscape vs. Portrait orientation: It happens almost exclusively when I'm shooting landscapes. I haven't been able to find it happening in any of my vertical portrait shots yet.
• Sensor check: From the tests I’ve managed to do, it doesn’t seem to be coming from the camera sensor itself.
• No lens hood.

I know about vintage lens flare, but this digital mirrorless behavior is a bit new to me. Is this type of distinct arc glare just normal behavior for the 40mm pancake lens when it catches light at a certain angle without a hood? Or did I happen to buy a faulty copy of the lens that I need to look into?

Hey guys.

I won an auction of a used Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 (first one) on eBay for a pretty decent price (1020€ in Germany). The seller declared it like new, today I got it and the first thing I noticed is the extreme wobble of the tube, both retracted and extended. I made a video of the wobble.

I also have a 24-120mm Z and this one does have very little wobble but never like this example of the 24-70 2.8.

So my question is: is it normal for such a pro lens or should I open a INAD case on eBay (seller was private).

Bonus question: it has also a big speck of dust under the front element. Would you return it only for that? (Pic in comments)

Thanks a lot for the input.

I started bird photography just over a month ago now and these are my best pictures so far. For some reason, I just can’t grow on Instagram. Support on my instagram page would mean a lot to me 🙏

@leonardochambers.wildlife

Had a few big dirt spots showing up in my pictures, so I decided it's time to clean my sensor. And I did a lot of research into how to do it safely and properly, and thought I had a decent cleaning kit. But once I cleaned it, it left a bunch of streaks or scratches. Photos seem to be okay, but I'm not too sure.

But I'm screwed, right? Or is there somehow a chance this is just residue? And is there any way to fix this or no?

Nikon D850, Nikkor 85mm 1.8 at F4

​

I began formulating this idea over a year ago and in March I finally hiked out into the backcountry of Canyonlands National Park and took the photos. Now, after two months of figuring out how to edit these massive tracked, stacked, HaRGB panoramas it's ready.

March is the only time of year you can capture a double arch like this. I find it's a wonderful representation of the changing of the seasons. In addition to the double arch I've captured Orion settingegan formulating this idea over a year ago and in as winter ends and Cygnus rising as spring begins.

I'll be sharing each one in more detail soon so stay tuned!

I tend to ascribe a lot of meaning to my photos but social media isn't the best place for my long rambling explanations. This one is no different drawing influence from multiple places in what it means to me. I'll leave you with one, Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Acquisition details:

Spring's Beginning - 2 panels - 03/18/2026

Sky RGB: 65mm - 60s x 10 - f/2 - iso1250

Sky Ha: 65mm - 60s x 5 - f/2.8 - iso 2500

Ground: 65mm - 1/250s - f/9 - iso250

^ The ground was taken approximately an hour prior to twilight. I messed up the twlight foreground for this one and chose to use these from earlier while scouting the spot instead.

Ouroboros - 03/19/2026

Skies: 5 panels for both sides

RGB: 14mm - 60s x 5 - f/2.8 - iso1250

Ha: 14mm - 60s x 3 - f/2.8 - iso 3200

Ground: 12 panels x 2 rows

14mm - 1/3s - f/8 - iso 400

Winter's End - 2 panels - 03/20/2026

Sky RGB: 65mm - 30s x 12 - f/2 - iso1250

Sky Ha: 65mm - 60s x 10 - f/2.8 - iso 2500

Ground: 65mm - 1/60s - f/4 - iso 200

Equipment:

Nikon z7ii astromod

Voigtlander 65mm f/2

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

iOptron Skyguider Pro

Astronomik 12nm Ha clip in filter

Z8 vs d4s. Both are amazing but the z8 is next level.

Z6III+70-200 f2.8 S

Some shots from around the yard.