Using filters

[ian_humphrey]

<p>Using a 7d canon with some filters. I am trying to use star filters but not getting very good results. Would it be better to take off other filters including sky filter.<br>

Many thanks<br>

Ian</p>

[ian_humphrey]

<p>Ps<br>

What aperture would give best results.</p>

[Marcus Ian]

<p>Yes, you should take the rest off. </p>

<p>My understanding is that smaller apertures work the best with this type of filter, ideally as small as possible (f16-22). It's been years since I've used one, but I got decent results at f16 (on film).</p>

[dcstep]

<p>I agree, f/16 to f/22.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>source on theory and praxis:<br /> http://www.tiffen.com/star_filters.htm </p>

<p>A nice thing about digital is that you can try various settings and see the results immediately.</p>

[sarah_fox]

<p>You don't NEED a star filter to get a star effect. You can also shoot with a very small aperture. You'll get a star effect off the aperture blades. The flatter and fewer the blades, the better the star pattern. I would think someone has also figured out how to create star patterns off of bright highlights in post. If you can achieve the effect you're after without a star filter, you're better off doing so, IMO. Star filters tend to create a diffused haze over the entire photo that I find less than desirable. Even diffusion from a tiny aperture seems less problematic to my eye, especially since small-aperture diffusion responds very well to sharpening.</p>

[golem_bngolem]

<p>+1 about the general IQ degradation with a Star Filter.<br>

<br>

But OTOH, this does mean there's little or no point in<br>

removing your skylite filter.<br>

<br>

Gotta disagree that fewer and flatter iris blades make<br>

for better [filterless] stars. More blades is more rays<br>

in your starburst, and when you stop down to double<br>

digit stops, flat or curved hardly matters.<br>

<br>

BTW altho you can get starburst without a Star Filter<br>

the type of effect you get *with* the filter is just a<br>

different animal. Not a better or worse animal, just<br>

different. There's dog lovers and there's cat lovers. <br>

<br>

` </p>