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

[CarmenT]

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. 

[ebiggs1]

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.

[CarmenT]

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. 

[CarmenT]

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

[jrhoffman75]

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.

[Waddizzle]

If Image Stabilization is enabled, turn it off.

[CarmenT]

Thank you, Image Stabilization was turned off. 

[ebiggs1]

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.