BUC (78) 02.10.2008

In the case dated 2 October 2008 at Buc (78), a person testing a new camcorder filmed a helicopter. On playback, a gray sphere appeared throughout the footage. The witness did not consent to publication of the video, although GEIPAN regarded it as an excellent example of this kind of image. GEIPAN considers the footage almost certainly a very small object passing close to the lens, perhaps unnoticed by the operator, very probably an insect or bird. It notes that such images have become frequent with digital cameras, particularly compact models: their very short focal lengths can leave nearby small objects partly recognizable rather than fully blurred into the background, as the source contrasts with film photography or conventional video.