topic Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots. in EF & RF Lenses

RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:29:59 GMT

I have noticed this problem several times now with night shots taken on this lens when stacking multiple images in either StarStax of Starry Landscape Stacker (sequator). The water area gets a very weird pattern/texture in it which is not present in any of the single images. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Is it a lens or software issue? Thank you for any suggestions as to what the problem could be.

Re: RF 15-35mm issue when stacking multiple night shots.

Peter — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:04:45 GMT

Is lens correction turned on? If so, what if you turn it off?

Re: RF 15-35mm issue when stacking multiple night shots.

kvbarkley — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:09:02 GMT

Could it be reflections from the stars?

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

Danny — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:38:30 GMT

Thanks for joining the conversation, CarmenT! The Community can get a clearer idea of what's going on if we knew exactly which Canon camera model you're using. That, and any other details you'd like to give will help the Community better understand your issue!

If this is a time-sensitive matter, click HERE search our knowledge base or find additional support options HERE.

Thanks and have a great day!

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

justadude — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:14:26 GMT

Assuming you are shooting RAW, not JPEG, correct? Are you sure this isn't noticeable in any of the single images? Sometimes you have to really crank up Dehaze or Clarity to get this to show - and sometimes play with the noise reduction. I occasionally see similar to what you have on the horizon right where the light pollution meets the darker sky. The patterns in the water look more extreme than I have seen, but then again, this is stacked images.

Re: RF 15-35mm issue when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:34:32 GMT

Thank you for that thought Peter. Lens correction was turned on prior to exporting the images to be stacked I Will try the process again without to see if it makes a difference

Re: RF 15-35mm issue when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:35:52 GMT

No, it is not a reflection from the stars. If you look closely in the water (especially lower right) it has a wavy pattern similar to what you would get when you take a picture of a computer screen.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:39:17 GMT

Thank you Danny. I am using the R6, I shoot in RAW, brand new memory card (and I have seen this when using different cards as well, so I don't think it's that), I use lightroom to edit before exporting for Starry Landscape Stacker or StarStax.

The pattern that appears after stacking may be called "moire"? it looks like the weird patterns and waves you get when you try to take a picture of a computer screen.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:40:55 GMT

Thank you Gary. Yes I shoot in RAW. I have played around with extreme edits on a single image (clarity, dehire, noise reduction, exposure, shadows, highlights etc. ) and do not get these patterns.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

ebiggs1 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:41:12 GMT

I would suggest and how I used to do it was no editing before. Do that after stacking. Stacking works best when the shots are exactly alike. Editing can add or remove artifacts which may be good and or bad. Also I would turn off and exposure enhancements in camera. Let the raw image be the raw image.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:50:37 GMT

Thank you! Those are useful suggestions. I do have all enhancements turned off in camera but did apply some basics edits before stacking so will retry with the images as SOOC.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 16:43:37 GMT

No edits before stacking has helped a lot! Thank you for that tip.

Re: RF 15-35mm issue when stacking multiple night shots.

Peter — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 17:10:17 GMT

What I thought, see the answer from John Sheehy https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4685233

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:47:02 GMT

If you are using Lightroom processed images then it is a Peter says - lens correction is turned on. I found the same issue. It may also happen with other processing software, but I only have experience with Lightroom.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

Waddizzle — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:57:37 GMT

If Image Stabilization is enabled, turn it off.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

CarmenT — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:59:10 GMT

Thank you, Image Stabilization was turned off.

Re: RF 15-35mm Moiré pattern when stacking multiple night shots.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:37:28 GMT

Basically what we are all saying is just use the unmolested raw image. Then do any edits you see fit after stacking.

I, too, now only use Lightroom.