Star filter question

scootac

I'm thinking of getting a 6 pt star filter. Are there any big differences between the brand name filters?
I see some are acrylic,,, are they as good as glass? Since this will be used only occasionally,,, is there any other way to get the star effect on camera?

Educate me!

Thanks!

Art Scott

Optical Glass is the best...does not degrade the image as much as plastic... ... There are sume optical grade plastics that are good also...but they won't be as good as glass... most of the plastic types are the different rectangular styled filters such as Lee and Cokin... however for digital work I would look for digital special effects filters that way absolutely no degradation to image... ... just my very humble opinion ...

If you do decide to go with a screw in filter...make sure the threads are brass so it dies not seize up and then you ahve to look for filter wrench or channel locks to remove it....speaking from experience here...

Goode Luck

ziggy53

I prefer to add "stars" and "crosses" digitally and in post-production. In Photoshop you just select a brush with the desired shape and color, then vary the brush size to match the situation. (The greater the "glint" or spectral highlight, in the image, the larger the brush size. Setting other brush properties can also vary the effect.)



There is another type of "star" which is created with the combination of strong spectral highlight and small aperture. (You wished to be educated.)

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=64419

scootac

ziggy53 wrote: »

I prefer to add "stars" and "crosses" digitally and in post-production. In Photoshop you just select a brush with the desired shape and color, then vary the brush size to match the situation. (The greater the "glint" or spectral highlight, in the image, the larger the brush size. Setting other brush properties can also vary the effect.)



There is another type of "star" which is created with the combination of strong spectral highlight and small aperture. (You wished to be educated.)

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=64419

Thanks for the info! No Photoshop here though.
I read the mentioned thread, but I'm looking for stars from light sources in night photos. Will the small aperture method work for that?

ziggy53

scootac wrote: »

Thanks for the info! No Photoshop here though.
I read the mentioned thread, but I'm looking for stars from light sources in night photos. Will the small aperture method work for that?

Even the open source and free GIMP will do stars in post (and other effects).

Nothing wrong with a properly used star filter in the right scene.

I honestly don't know about using small apertures for night photography. I suppose that it should work in the right circumstances. (Google shows some night examples.)

JC

scootac wrote: »

Thanks for the info! No Photoshop here though.
I read the mentioned thread, but I'm looking for stars from light sources in night photos. Will the small aperture method work for that?

YUP! And I like the look better than star filters- F16:

scootac

kolibri wrote: »

YUP! And I like the look better than star filters- F16:

THANK YOU!!!clap
That's the effect I'm looking for!
You just saved me 50 bucks!!!

Art Scott

Can the small aperture crosses be achieved with a zoom lens or does it really need to be a prime?

JC

The quality of the star changes with different lenses, besides just the # of rays. I think you have more dispersion with more lens elements, of course, the D in the DO of this lens could also be having an effect. (Previous image was with the 35mm f/1.4 prime, I think they are replacing this lens? I can't imagine why, to my mind it's perfect. Canon must have a some super resolution sensors in the pipeline)

F18 with a 70-300 DO:

scootac

Interesting!
I'll give both my zoom and 50mm 1.4 a try and see how they differ!

Here's the type of photo I'll be working with. Want to replace the 'halo' with a star around the street lights.