Star effect filter

[Martusia]

Hello .
I'm noobie and I'm kind of confused in this subject. I'm planning to go street shooting next week. I would like to buy star effect filter for my NIKON D90 for 72 mm lens. I do have a problem because when I started shop around I noticed that there is lots of star filters. And my problem is I do not know what 6point or 8 point means . I thought that there is just one kind which makes stars haha. Can someone pls explain to me what this points on star filters mean
Thank you
Marta

 

[Geaux]

shot with a small aperture (larger f -- like f/16+) and you'll get stars on the lights.

 

[SWFLA1]

Hi Marta -

A 6 point star filter turns a light into a 6pointed star, 8 point to an 8 pointed star... you might try an old trick I used to use - take a pair of women's nylons and stretch them over the lens - instant star filter.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Street shooting with a star filter? Sounds kinda weird to me but... to each their own.

The points are the same thing as the number of arms/limbs/whatever those things are called on a star. The star of david for example is a 6 point star.

 

[Martusia]

Thank u guys I will try trick with nylons first b4 I will spent money on filter
If it comes to y I want to filter on on streetshooting. I'm planing to stay whole day and evening. I want to put filter on just when it gets dark to make street lights look like a stars ,more alive . Im gonna turn picture in b&w and i do not want street lights look like dead points Maybe it sounds weird to you but I have my vision and id like to try it. Thank you anyway

 

[tirediron]

Plastic window screen works well too.

 

[Martusia]

U mean like very thin plexi like from box? Should I cut shape of lens or it's enough if I will just hold it?

 

[Edsport]

If you have photoshop you can use starbrushes. Make them any color or any size you want. Here's a few samples. You can download the starbrushes here. Download StarsPhotshopBrushes.zip from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way

 

[Martusia]

Thank you. So many tips how to make them without spending money

 

[PhillyPhoton]

if you have the D90 you have this option in the effects/filters in the camera, you can control how many points, the length etc, you should try that before getting a filter as it may be good enough, Ive messed with it and you can get so decent results providing you dont over do it and the light that you want the effect on is distinct.

 

[tirediron]

Just go to your local hardware store, they'll have rolls of plastic window screen in various sizes; all you need is a piece larger than the diameter of your lens; hold it in front, shoot - instant cross-screen filter!

 

[SWFLA1]

Just go to your local hardware store, they'll have rolls of plastic window screen in various sizes; all you need is a piece larger than the diameter of your lens; hold it in front, shoot - instant cross-screen filter!

I've used this as well... it works great!

 

[Martusia]

Thank you guys

 

[Derrel]

Star filters look better than nylons or window screen material. if you want starburst effects on point light sources against a dark field, window screen or nylons will act more as a diffuser than a star filter. If you want a star filter effect, I would BUY a star filter.