Hoya Y3STERN658 58mm Star 6 Screw-in Filter

The Hoya Star 6 58mm filter is a creative effects filter that transforms bright point light sources — such as streetlights, candle flames, and reflections on water — into striking six-ray starburst patterns. It works by using finely etched lines in high-quality optical glass to diffract incoming light, splitting each light point into six symmetrical beams that radiate outward. The effect becomes more dramatic with brighter and more concentrated light sources, making this filter especially popular for nighttime urban photography, holiday scenes with string lights, and studio jewelry shots where controlled highlights are present.

The filter attaches via a standard 58mm screw-in thread, making it compatible with any lens that shares that filter size. Its slim profile helps minimize vignetting, and the glass construction provides durable, consistent results over time. Because the etched lines are always present across the filter surface, there is a slight softening effect on the overall image — a trade-off that most photographers accept by using the filter only when they specifically want the star effect. For maximum creative control, experiment with different aperture settings: the interplay between the filter's diffraction lines and your lens aperture can subtly change the length and definition of the star rays.