Filters for lens flare effect - DPChallenge Forums

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

12/25/2005 01:43:16 PM · #1

Hi. Yes, I know that lens flare is generally viewed as a flaw, but I've seen some pictures where it lends a really neat look. I always thought it was cool in many movies taken in the 70's and 80's (I believe out of africa had some really nice examples) and I am wondering what kind of things can be done to add a really nice bit of lens flare for things like sunsets and evening shots.

I was thinking it might be necessary to pick up an older 'crummy' lens for the effect, but I'm hoping there might be some type of filter for this.

I don't feel really comfortable with the idea of using PS or anything like this because I don't know how well it would be able to calculate the angles.

Also, I am really working hard on composing stuff in-camera so cropping (within aspect ratio) stays at a minimum. Maintaining aspect ratio should keep natural lens flare looking real. (Although I may be the only one that has a clue what I'm talking about here, my point is that I want to be able to do it in camera)

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

12/25/2005 01:50:01 PM · #2

Do you mean the star effect around light sources or actual lens flare?
The star effect can be produced if you close down the lens to the smallest aperture and just adjust the angle of the shot. A star filter will produce this effect as well.

Pointing the camera into the sun for a shot will almost always produce flare unless using a lens hood. Sometimes even with a lens hood you still get some flare.

A filter that's not multicoated could result in flare.

As far as special effects filters you could check Cokin to see if they have one for this. Cokin tends to have a lot of special effects filters.

Message edited by author 2005-12-25 13:51:11.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/25/2005 01:57:38 PM · #3

Here's a site that discusses what flare is and how it occurs: lens flare explained

There are dozens of software filters to emulate lens flare, but I'm not aware of any hardware filter designed to exacerbate it. If you buy the cheapest, uncoated UV filter you can find, that's probably your best bet :-)

R.

12/25/2005 02:12:06 PM · #4

I am referring to actual lens flare. I understand about aperture blades from reading.

Lens flare (to my eye anyhow) appears to occur when a really bright point of light diffracts as it passes through lens layers. The basic lens effect seems to refract it into a circular pattern (which may be naturally happening to all light as it passes into the lens) following the angle from the lightsource straight through the lens, but because of less than perfect clarity where lens element meets lens element, and the intensity of the light itself, the light is diffracted off and is visible to the sensor. (the final stage of diffraction being a rough equivalent to a mist of water diffracting/scattering the light from a laser, making it visible to people not directly in its path.

I know my descriptive language is really weak because I've not really studied it and I'm just making this stuff up based on my limited knowledge of lens construction and light characteristics, but I think it's pretty accurate.

Maybe some of the techs can help correct that ;)

Anyhow, my point is that because it occurs within the lens in multiple stages, is there a filter that can artificially create this even if it is in a simpler, more exaggerated and less authentic way or would I have to actually find an older lens that really doesn't have very good optics.

I don't really mind that option because it could potentially provide some really neat 1970's Nat Geo looks to some pictures, but it would almost certainly mean mucking about with manual focus and I don't have the experience or the skill or the eyesight to really put manual focus to good use yet.

12/25/2005 02:14:01 PM · #5

Uhh thanks bear. I'll have a look at that website when I get up in a few hours. I just realized its after 3:00 am and I have stuff to do in the morning :(.

I wonder how close I got just from guesswork....