Star effect filters: I just got a set of these for my Canon T3i and 50mm 1.8. Does anyone have experience using these? Is there a Good, Better or Best setting to get the most from them?

Tom Kelley Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

I just got a set of these for my Canon T3i and 50mm 1.8. Does anyone have experience using these? Is there a Good, Better or Best setting to get the most from them?

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

I seem to remember points of light & small apertures gave good results...hmmmm or was it the opposite wide open apertures? LOL..gettin' too old I think...someone more knowledgeable will chime in soon... Just try it out & see.

daplight Loc: Kansas

I used them when I shot weddings, (video) only using them for the altar scenes. This meant I was usually shooting wide-open and they were more dramatic with movement, as with a slow zoom and rotating focus. Again, this was with video.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

daplight wrote:

I used them when I shot weddings, (video) only using them for the altar scenes. This meant I was usually shooting wide-open and they were more dramatic with movement, as with a slow zoom and rotating focus. Again, this was with video.

Star filters are among the many filters that seem obsolete now that we can do so much in post-processing so much more easily. Even in a video it should not be difficult to add a star just where you want it in software. With a filter you have a lot less control; there may be a lot of stars where you don't want them and not where you do. Then again, you might just enjoy having that as a challenge.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

"got a set of these" you failed to say what brand and designation. Sort of a rule in UHH, ask a question and never give details to help solve it!!! Why? Military secreted??

As Pecohen says post processing has lots of control for creating the star effect. Topaz has a add on named "Topaz Star Effects" for $30. Discount of 15-25% (depending), if you sign up and watch a live webinar. They show examples. Also there are effects built into PS and other edits such as PSP.
http://www.topazlabs.com/stareffects

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Mustanger wrote:

I seem to remember points of light & small apertures gave good results...hmmmm or was it the opposite wide open apertures? LOL..gettin' too old I think...someone more knowledgeable will chime in soon... Just try it out & see.

It's a small aperture.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Tom Kelley wrote:

I just got a set of these for my Canon T3i and 50mm 1.8. Does anyone have experience using these? Is there a Good, Better or Best setting to get the most from them?

Here are two sets of photos where stars can be seen. The first set were captured using a 6-star filter. I think it was with a T3i. The 2nd set were created using aperture with a 6D. Filters, in comparison to aperture, give you more control and you can use large apertures. Without a filter the effect disappears at larger apertures. I understand that editing software can achieve the same effect, but I don't know if you can select the number of points, as you can with filters. With aperture, shutter designs determine the number of points.
Anyway, you've got the filters, so, experiment and have fun! BTW, use a tripod for best results.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-183514-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-334650-1.html

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I had one for my 35 mm film camera years ago. Fun to use!

One article for tips:

http://www.tiffen.com/star_filters.htm

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Tom Kelley wrote:

I just got a set of these for my Canon T3i and 50mm 1.8. Does anyone have experience using these? Is there a Good, Better or Best setting to get the most from them?

Many years ago, I bought a set of filters like that, Cokin I believe...
Probably have them, not sure where in the house they are.

In any case, I now occasionally take a photo at dawn or dusk, when there are lots of lights, as well as enough natural light to see what's around me.
Without any filter.
Slow speed, smallish aperture, tripod.
Have a look at these two webpages:
http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/6605/why-do-light-sources-appear-as-stars-sometimes

http://www.lightstalking.com/starburst-effect/

The number of points on the stars is dependent on the number of blades of your lens's diaphragm (not sure if diaphragm and aperture are synonymous): 7 blades and you'll get 14 points on the stars, 9 blades gives you 18 points, etc.

Tom Kelley Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

dpullum wrote:

"got a set of these" you failed to say w... (show quote)

Sorry, just didn't think about it. They are Zomei filters, 4,6,8. Not the most expensive by any means, but then the rest of my gear isn't either. Thanks for the help and no, not a Military Secret,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm 67 years old and not in the Armed Forces.

Tom Kelley Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

Morning Star wrote:

Many years ago, I bought a set of filters like tha... (show quote)

Good to know, thanks.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Tom Kelley wrote:

I just got a set of these for my Canon T3i and 50mm 1.8. Does anyone have experience using these? Is there a Good, Better or Best setting to get the most from them?

I have an old set of those filters, they are combinable for different cross hatch effects, but in truth I get much better results by NOT using them on my lens and making use of Topaz Star Effects plugin when editing.

If I recall, you can see the star effects while composing your shot, and by turning the filter you get different effects, especially when combining multiple effects filters. Problem come sin that you can get vignetting and you are degrading your image quality by passing the light thru the cross hatched filter glass.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

pecohen wrote:

Star filters are among the many filters that seem obsolete now that we can do so much in post-processing so much more easily. Even in a video it should not be difficult to add a star just where you want it in software. With a filter you have a lot less control; there may be a lot of stars where you don't want them and not where you do. Then again, you might just enjoy having that as a challenge.

Agree. I now use Topaz Star Effects ( http://www.topazlabs.com/stareffects ). There is a learning curve and takes some practice to make the stars look relatively natural rather than a post-processing effect.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

When I first got into photography while stationed on a remote tour in Greece, I bought a bunch of Cokin filters. 4 and 8 point star filters included. I had a lot of fun with them. The best effects are from small reflective light sources, like the sun reflecting off a chrome bumper.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Tom Kelley wrote:

I just got a set of these for my Canon T3i and 50mm 1.8. Does anyone have experience using these? Is there a Good, Better or Best setting to get the most from them?

I've never used it, but my Df has a menu activated Cross Screen Filter effect, as well as several other filter effects.