Star Filters - DPChallenge Forums

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/03/2006 09:11:47 PM · #1

I decided to try a star filter. Does anyone else enjoy these? If so, how about showing a few examples on this thread with the size filter you have?

Also, if you enjoy other filters, I would like to see examples of what they do as well. I am thinking of a Sunset #2, but I am undecided on that one. I also like a polarizer, but not sure which one.

So, how about some before and afters? If you have them? If not, just describe what your filter did?

Rose

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

01/03/2006 09:21:13 PM · #2

You will use your polarizer 100 times more than a star filter. Go with that first.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/03/2006 09:51:07 PM · #3

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

You will use your polarizer 100 times more than a star filter. Go with that first.

Got any shots to give me examples? This way I can tell what they each do.

Rose

Beetle

01/03/2006 09:56:16 PM · #4

I have a starfilter, but I don't like it. Either I can see the crosslines (which are what MAKES the stars), or the stars are too much or too little.

You're much better off with a tripod and a very small aperture, or with faking it in photoshop (not recommended for challenge photos).

No, I don't have any shots WITH the filter on. I keep trying, then keep hating and deleting them.

Edited to add about the sunset filter: save your money and do it in photoshop. Get a decent polarizer, that one you pretty much can NOT fake in PS. Or, if you desperately want to buy more filters, get a ND one, too.

Message edited by author 2006-01-03 21:58:43.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/03/2006 10:00:05 PM · #5

Originally posted by Beetle:

I think a few used it in the Industrial challenge, and I really liked it. I got the star 8 I think, and will see how it goes. Right now, me and night light shots don't mix, or even water reflection shots in the sun, so I hope to get some decent results. Not sure what filter to go with next though.

Rose

Beetle

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/03/2006 10:02:15 PM · #6

Rose, not every star effect you see was done via filter - plenty of people just do them via small aperture.
And your water reflection problems may get solved with the polarizer.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

01/03/2006 10:04:07 PM · #7

I don't really care for cross filters much. But this one was purposely shot with a cross filter:

stare_at_the_sun

Canon EOS-10D

01/03/2006 10:06:22 PM · #8

That was my industrial entry...even though it did horrible, it did have the star effect to some of the lights you can see. All I did was leave the shutter open with a small arpeture for awhile.

Alas...I have learned how to properly do night shots, but only after that picture, lol.

vikas

Apple iPhone 13

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

01/03/2006 10:16:21 PM · #9

Not the best examples but star filter is fun, I have used it before cristmas lights (I don't have the scanned file), but it works beautifully for night shots.

Polarizers is amazing, I don't have scanned examples to really show you the difference but its just worth it and the first filter you should have in the set.

Brenb

Canon EOS-60D

01/03/2006 10:18:21 PM · #10

I have a star filter and play around with it some. This is the only one I have on my laptop. It's fun to play with but good results are few and far between for me.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/03/2006 11:23:04 PM · #11

just stop down. If your lens has an odd number of elements, the number of points will be that number doubled. If it has an even number, you will get exactly that number. For example -- 7 elements = stars with 14 points : 6 elements = stars with 6 points.

bryanbrazil

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony 16-35mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE ZA OSS Lens

01/03/2006 11:26:52 PM · #12

Taken with a Cokin 8-point star filter...

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/04/2006 12:25:03 AM · #13

I tried the sunset filter but returned it. It just didn't look real enough to me...I have much better luck doing it in Photoshop, as someone mentioned.

Good luck :)
Jenn

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/06/2006 06:31:37 PM · #14

Originally posted by JRalston:

I agree with the others about stopping down your lens before buying the star filter. I was very close to buying one myself before I learned you could do it without a filter. This shot was taken with a 30sec exposure and f/11.

I tried the sunset filter but returned it. It just didn't look real enough to me...I have much better luck doing it in Photoshop, as someone mentioned.

Good luck :)
Jenn

I don't have that ability yet. I can't set anything to 30 seconds. I have a point and shoot presently, so I got the Cokin 8 star filter for now and for fun. It will also fit on my Canon Rebel XT when I get it this spring. It looks like I will get the polarizer next.

Thank you all, and Bryanbrazil, that shot is great! That is just what I am talking about and looks wonderful!!

Rose

PS: I'm so frustrated. I took more shots of a flying heron today, and NONE of them came out clear. No matter the setting. I can't put on the macro, which makes it clearer from a distance, cause it stops me from zooming in. I can't use a tripod when I have to move for the shot either. So I can't wait for the rebel. I think it will do me better since it has a stabalizer built in for those quick action shots.

Message edited by author 2006-01-06 18:34:57.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/06/2006 06:55:59 PM · #15

A reprocess of my previous backlighting entry.

Tom

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/06/2006 06:57:24 PM · #16

Hey Rose, I posted a forum like this (same name actually) a few weeks ago and got some good replies. Right Here I bought a 4-point filter for use during Christmas and it was awesome with all the lights and Christmas Trees. I'll try and post some pictures later.

Tom

Beetle

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/06/2006 06:59:02 PM · #17

Wow, Colette - what a difference!! I bet you're thrilled to have learned that! Looks lovely now.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

01/06/2006 07:06:11 PM · #18

Originally posted by Beetle:

Wow, Colette - what a difference!! I bet you're thrilled to have learned that! Looks lovely now.

Thanks Karin. The original was basically no PP. That was the image I learned to keep flipping between the original and edited to see the differences.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/09/2006 08:57:10 PM · #19

Ok, here it is! My first shot with my brand new star filter! Don't know why the thing is SO freaking huge though. LOL..It is about 3 to 4" in diameter. I thought I was told the P series would fit my camera? Was I supposed to get something else to go with or order it differently by size rather than series? Maybe I can write the site and ask, or maybe I will call. I have the invoice.

Anyway, just holding it I am thrilled with this new look!! YEAH! Not my best photo by far...LOL..but just did a quick candle shot to test it out.

Awwww, so pretttttty...

Rose

EDITED TO ADD: By the way, I love all the photos posted! I love the effect, and that bridge shot is wonderful by far!!

Sorry Tom. I didn't see the other thread :(

Message edited by author 2006-01-09 21:05:35.

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

01/09/2006 09:09:34 PM · #20

This is mine without a filter. Exposure was 2seconds at f11. I kinda think it does the same job

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/09/2006 09:12:31 PM · #21

Originally posted by lentil:

This is mine without a filter. Exposure was 2seconds at f11. I kinda think it does the same job

It looks extremely similar. Someday soon, when I get my dslr, I will learn these functions but right now no camera ability for those shots. Maybe you can give me pointers, lentil? I am getting the rebel.

Rose

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

01/09/2006 09:14:15 PM · #22

Originally posted by Rose8699:

Originally posted by lentil:
This is mine without a filter. Exposure was 2seconds at f11. I kinda think it does the same job

It looks extremely similar. Someday soon, when I get my dslr, I will learn these functions but right now no camera ability for those shots. Maybe you can give me pointers, lentil? I am getting the rebel.

Rose

i doubt that.. i am still learning myself

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/09/2006 09:24:14 PM · #23

Bummer. Well, maybe we can both get pointers from another! LOL...

Rose

Katmystiry

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/09/2006 09:25:20 PM · #24

Rose,

I checked into getting the Cokin too, just haven't gotten back there to pick them up. I had to get an adaptor to go on my Canon because, yes, they are huge, but the adaptor will fit other lens sizes too. Congrats on your new star filter!!