Star Lens
Jan 22, 2012 09:35:40 #
Other that making neat star looking images, is there a down side to using a star lens? IE does it degrade the rest of the photo, etc? (I am sure the quality of the lens would be a factor.)
Jan 22, 2012 09:43:35 #
sodapop wrote:
Other that making neat star looking images, is there a down side to using a star lens? IE does it degrade the rest of the photo, etc? (I am sure the quality of the lens would be a factor.)
For longer exposures at night they work pretty good. They are just a clear glass filter with a number of fine wires in the, the number varies by the number of points you want. But if you only want one or two points of light starred it can be added in PP with many software programs, like Paintshop Pro X4 at $40, or PSE8,9, or 10.
Jan 22, 2012 11:02:56 #
Jan 22, 2012 11:08:12 #
gonate
Loc: sacramento,calif
sodapop wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply. Hope to have some fun with it.
I have used star filters many times , they work very good.
gonate
Jan 23, 2012 07:50:57 #
You can get a star effect without a filter by using a small aperture like F/16 or smaller
Jan 23, 2012 08:59:54 #
sodapop wrote:
Other that making neat star looking images, is there a down side to using a star lens? IE does it degrade the rest of the photo, etc? (I am sure the quality of the lens would be a factor.)
I think it was someone on this forum who suggested running several strings across the front of the lens, with all of them passing in front of the center of the lens.
Jan 23, 2012 15:57:42 #
In my experience, using the star filter at several weddings over the years, yes - the photos are 'degraded' just a bit. They are 'softer' - almost as if I'd used a 'soft focus' filter with the star filter. (sadly, I don't have the pix handy to scan & post)
Jan 23, 2012 17:29:47 #
twowindsbear wrote:
In my experience, using the star filter at several weddings over the years, yes - the photos are 'degraded' just a bit. They are 'softer' - almost as if I'd used a 'soft focus' filter with the star filter. (sadly, I don't have the pix handy to scan & post)
I had this same experience with star filters.. very pretty but I only use the filter when I don't mind the overall softness.
Otherwise I do the star effect in photoshop.
Jan 24, 2012 20:30:20 #
hotglassguy
Loc: Jeffersonville, IN
Just saw today that Topaz is getting ready to release a "star effect" plugin. They are going to have a couple of webinars on it -- check the Topaz Facebook page or website. They didn't give any pricing information.
Jan 24, 2012 20:34:41 #
hotglassguy wrote:
Just saw today that Topaz is getting ready to release a "star effect" plugin. They are going to have a couple of webinars on it -- check the Topaz Facebook page or website. They didn't give any pricing information.
now that will be cool :)
Jan 24, 2012 20:50:41 #
hotglassguy wrote:
Just saw today that Topaz is getting ready to release a "star effect" plugin. They are going to have a couple of webinars on it -- check the Topaz Facebook page or website. They didn't give any pricing information.
I saw that. Here's the link:
http://www.topazlabs.com/blog/topaz-star-effects%E2%84%A2-sneak-peek/
Looks very cool. I'd much rather do it with Photoshop than with a star filter.
Feb 2, 2012 23:43:00 #
I have the Topaz Star Effects. Its a lot of fun and very inexpensive. I bought it for 20.00. I think that is an introductory price. Regularly 39.99
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