How Can You Guarantee Starbursts?

[68lbs]

Ok, am trying to do something interesting with the christmas tree and decorations. What I want to do is have a single bauble in focus, with a couple of tree lights in frame with a starburst effect on each.

But I can't seem to pull it off!

I know a lens with odd number of 'bits' to the aperture creates the nicest starbursts, so am using my Siggy 24-70. I thought that a longer exposure would do the job so, set the camera on the tripod, f/2.8 for limited DoF, then 0.9 Hitech grad to increase the exposure time to about 4". The bauble comes out fine, but the tree light doesn't startburst.

Why? :shrug:

Any help most gratiously appreciated.

 

[andrewc]

could cheat and get a starburst filter

 

[Banath]

Long exposures usually do it 15 to 30 seconds should show the aperture blades of the lens. Try 5 seconds then 10 etc and see what you get.

 

[ukaskew]

From experience I think you actually need a narrow aperture, not a wide one, most of my good ones have been up around the f16 mark.

I might be wrong, but without stacking two photos or getting a starburst filter, you aren't going to get limited DoF and stars.

 

[joxby]

Starbursts are created at small apertures not shutter speed, try f/9 and upwards.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Indeed, narrow aperture will help but you'll gain DoF.

 

[68lbs]

Arse! I remember now. So basically, I can't do what I want because my DoF will be too great.

 

[Freester]

Arse! I remember now. So basically, I can't do what I want because my DoF will be too great.

Only with a starburst filter...

 

[ukaskew]

Arse! I remember now. So basically, I can't do what I want because my DoF will be too great.

How about your Sigma 10-20 at 10mm? Pretty close focusing iirc, so if you can get in as close as possible on the subject that might minimize DoF a little bit, even at f12 or thereabouts.

Otherwise I'm stuck, unless you are handy in PS and can merge two shots together.

 

[Just Dave]

Hi Lee

Dont know if this is any good to you but whiterlier Mark had this effect, not starbursts but Christmas trees, you could easily adapt it though

Marks Christmas trees

How its done


Dave

 

[68lbs]

I thought wide angles had huge DoF even at wider apertures?

 

[68lbs]

Marks Christmas trees

That's very cool! I seem to remember seeing some low budget lenses you could get with interchangeable 'bit' to create effects like this. Mights been those lens-babies people.

Definitely one to try if I get time over xmas

 

[ukaskew]

I thought wide angles had huge DoF even at wider apertures?

I'm thinking out loud

Just dug this out of my archive, 20mm at f5.6, so no I don't think there is a way around this, back to starburst filters!

http://chrisharrison.smugmug.com/photos/121206095_9WF4X-L.jpg

 

[Flash In The Pan]

could cheat and get a starburst filter

Don't think it would be cheating though

 

[Ian D J]

Maybe I'm showing off a bit, but I took this Christmas-related picture a couple of years ago and somehow achieved this starburst effect by accident:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/idj20/cardforcapesteve.jpg?t=1229299246

And it was taken with a lowly Fuji S5600. I can't remember the settings I've used to get this picture, except I think it was a 6 seconds long exposure.

 

[Blapto]

I think you're going to need to do something clever with perspective. You need something like:
f/8 or f/11
Very very close to the bauble, as close as you can be.
Tree lights as far away as possible.

That should get you the starburst effect with the lights out of focus.

 

[whiteflyer]

If you have a cokin filter holder, I can lend you a 6 Star effects filter. Just PM your address and I'll pop it in the post.

 

[VinnyB]

Take 2 pics.. One for low DoF and one for starburst and use Photoshop to merge them together, erasing the bits you dont need.... Now that's cheating...!!!!!

 

[Splog]

OK, here's my suggestion and it does work with infinity! so may work at at all DOF's shots Tape 2 pieces of string across the lens or hood in a cross formation and the string will cause diffraction spikes providing your not focussing too close also close down the aperture as far as possible

 

[Rikki]

I used a cheap 6 star filter here, worth having in the bag :

 

[68lbs]

If you have a cokin filter holder, I can lend you a 6 Star effects filter. Just PM your address and I'll pop it in the post.

Thanks for the offer. I'm a Lee 100mm guy though.

OK, here's my suggestion...

And an interesting one. I haven't a clue how it works, but might be worth a play another time when I have more time. Thanks.

I used a cheap 6 star filter... worth having in the bag...

You are probably right. I should really pop out and get one, but it's more likely I shall not get time this year, not need one in the summer, then want one again next christmas and probably raise the same question again.

 

[68lbs]

Well, I've just placed an order with Teamwork for a HiTech 100mm 6 point star filter Expect all my shots from now on to have a twinkle in the eye!

 

[petemc]

I found that with my more expensive lenses I got it all the time. Canon 24-70 was awesome at it.

Every little light on that image turned to a star at a narrow aperture.

Sigma 10-20 was good but not great. Not as nice as the 24-70.

Its all about the aperture. I took a quick snap last night on my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 at around f/3.5 and it was stunning. The starbursts at that aperture were awesome. I can't wait to see how they look at f/13.

So basically a good lens, and narrow aperture like f/13-22.

 

[DeadlySmurf]

How did you get up there? now you are going to have to take me with them results

 

[petemc]

I was comissioned by the fireworks company.

 

[Tom_Wynne]

58mm 4 star filter....


http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=102332