Of course Lee, reducing the amount of light falling on a CCD will allways reduce smear effects, but this is not allways possible if the rest of the scene has to remain visible... But I don't see real vertical smear on yr images, being a vertical line from top to bottom. I think you are just confusing vertical smear and optical diffraction. Diffraction effects occur with strong point sources (sun) and high F-numbers. Setting a higher shutter speed and open the aperture will reduce diffraction. (FYI the 45degree diffraction rays mean that yr cam has a 45 degree/4 blade diafragm system)

Did I mention "vertical" smear on the first pics? :?

BTW, it' not very obvious but you can find the faint vertical line in the second set of the pics. :)

P.S. Thank you for the tip on the 45 degree/4 blade diafragm system. :)

How about this pic? "Vertical" smear and X mark. :)

http://www.dvuser.co.kr/zboard/data/...c/IMGA0152.JPG

Agree Lee, you only mention a "vertical line" in yr second post which is known in the cam world as "vertical smear" and because the whole thread is about (and started about) vertical smear I just "interpreted" your statement. And yes, like Vladmir wrote in his first post I can see "a modest amount of smear" meaning a faint vertical line (=vertical smear) in the first pic.

Vertical smear and diffraction effects can come together...their origin is totally different. For optical diffraction effects see (6 blade diafragm) http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/diffraction.htm

Thank you. :)

I have created the "vertical smear" but it has never prevented me from obtaining a shot.

Some 16:9 frame grabs from my PDX10

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...elected=441334

I think low light is a much bigger issue than vertical smear. I shot a wedding on Tuesday of this week with my PDX10 and VX2000 and even though I haven't reviewed the footage I can already tell that I'm going to be none too happy with the PDX10 in the very dim lighting.