What explains a lens flare "streak" on only one side of light source?

Question

We know than an axial streak can be caused by a smudged lens that has been wiped in one direction. The following image shows both lens flare and a lens "streak."

But what could explain the one-sided streak in the following picture? I.e., why doesn't it flare/streak to both sides of the sun? (It was taken shortly after the first image above, by the same iPhone XS.)

looks like lens-has-been-wiped-recently effect, but as you say, one-sided. Only observation I can make is that it's a different angle to the previous so between the two photo's it must have had a fresh wipe or fingerprint on it... maybe only over half the lens. — AutoBaker, Oct 24 '19 at 08:13
@5Diraptor Please put your answers in the answers section, even if they're short and Criteria for determining if a post should be a comment or an answer — Michael C, Oct 24 '19 at 08:21

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered May 05 '20 at 13:21

As you already suspected, it is most probably a partially smudged lens on that phone. It might also be a fingerprint just covering part of the lens. With tiny lenses, even the space between the ridges of a fingerprint can cause interesting effects.

You already had the right link there: What causes lens flare along specific axes?

What explains a lens flare "streak" on only one side of light source?

1 Answers1