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Hoya YYE4349 49mm Star 8X Lens Filter — main product image
Hoya

Hoya YYE4349 49mm Star 8X Lens Filter

Turn city lights and candle flames into eight-pointed stars — the Hoya 49mm Star 8X filter adds cinematic drama to any night or backlit scene.

$32.90*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

A star filter is one of those creative tools that can feel gimmicky until you find the right scene — and the Hoya 49mm Star 8X is built for photographers who know exactly when to reach for it. Screw it onto a kit lens or a compact prime and point it at a streetlamp, a candle, a sunlit reflection off water, or a rim-lit portrait subject, and the filter's precisely etched optical glass transforms that specular point into a bold eight-pointed burst. It's a tool for night photographers, urban landscape shooters, and anyone who wants to add cinematic texture to a backlit creative frame without relying entirely on post-processing effects.

Construction is clean and functional. The slim aluminum frame keeps the filter's profile low, avoiding the vignetting problems that plague thicker star filter designs on shorter focal lengths. Hoya's multi-coating does meaningful work here — where uncoated star filters often introduce ghosting and contrast loss alongside the starburst effect, this one keeps the image reasonably clean and sharp outside the immediate streak area. The screw-in fit is secure and the filter rotates freely for streak angle control. At 49mm it pairs naturally with mirrorless kit lenses and compact primes, adding virtually nothing to carry weight or balance.

Key Features

CREATES DRAMATIC 4-BEAM STAR EFFECTS FOR STUNNING VISUALS – Elevate your creative photography with this star filter, transforming bright light points into dazzling starburst effects. Add a cinematic touch, enhancing outdoor scenes with this must-have accessory.

PRECISELY ETCHED OPTICAL GLASS FOR CLEAN STARBURST RESULTS – Experience superior clarity with this star lens filter, featuring expertly etched lines on high-quality optical glass that delivers clean, four-point flares. Enhance light sources while maintaining sharpness.

PERFECT FOR NIGHT, BACKLIGHT & CREATIVE OUTDOOR SCENES – Capture dreamy light streaks from street lamps and reflections using this 4x star filter, designed to excel in low-light and creative scenarios. Transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary, eye-catching images every time.

MULTI-COATED SLIM FRAME FOR ZERO GHOSTING – Designed with a slim aluminum frame that prevents vignetting and multi-coating to reduce reflections, this lens filter ensures sharp, high-contrast images for stunning results.

VERSATILE FIT WITH SCREW-IN DESIGN FOR DSLR & MIRRORLESS CAMERAS – Compatible with a wide range of lenses, this screw-in camera lens filter fits securely and is built for everyday use, making it a reliable addition to your kit.

Specifications

Filter Type
Star
Star Effect
8X (4-beam)
Filter Diameter
49mm
Optical Material
Etched optical glass
Frame Material
Slim aluminum
Coating
Multi-coated
Vignetting Prevention
Yes (slim frame)
Reflections Reduction
Yes (multi-coating)
Mount Type
Screw-in
Compatibility
DSLR & Mirrorless cameras

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Precisely etched optical glass produces clean, symmetrical eight-point streaks rather than the muddy, irregular bursts cheaper star filters create.
  • Slim aluminum frame keeps vignetting in check on standard and short telephoto focal lengths — useful for portrait and street work on 49mm lenses.
  • Multi-coating actively reduces ghosting and internal reflections, keeping contrast strong in scenes with multiple bright light sources.
  • Rotatable mount lets you dial in streak angle to match compositional lines — vertical, diagonal, or horizontal, you control the look.
  • Lightweight and compact — adds nothing noticeable to a mirrorless kit lens in terms of bulk or balance.

👎 Cons

  • The etched lines reduce overall sharpness slightly — images won't match the resolution of an unfiltered shot, which is noticeable when shooting fine detail.
  • Eight streaks per light source can quickly feel overwhelming in dense urban scenes with dozens of lights, requiring careful scene selection.
  • Effect cannot be adjusted in intensity — you're committing to the full 8X star look at the time of capture, with no way to reduce it in post.
  • Low-contrast scenes with soft, diffused light sources won't produce much starburst effect — the filter needs bright specular points to do its job.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Star 8X produces eight distinct streaks from each point light source rather than four, creating a denser, more theatrical starburst effect. For dense cityscapes or scenes with many light sources, 8X can feel busier — 4X often reads cleaner. For a single hero light or sparse subject, 8X has more visual impact.
Yes — the screw-in frame allows full rotation once mounted, so you can align the streaks diagonally, vertically, or at any angle that complements your composition. This is worth experimenting with before the shot rather than adjusting mid-shoot.
Hoya's multi-coating keeps reflections and ghosting well controlled. There is a very slight contrast reduction inherent to any star filter due to the etched lines, but it's minimal in practice and the coating prevents additional flare from the filter itself.
The slim aluminum frame is specifically designed to reduce vignetting risk. At focal lengths above around 24mm equivalent you should see no vignetting. At extreme wide angles, slight corner clipping is possible — test before shooting.
It works any time there are specular highlights or bright point sources — sunlight glinting off water, a rim-lit subject in backlight, or a glowing bulb in an otherwise dim interior. Night cityscapes are the classic use case, but backlit outdoor portraiture can benefit dramatically from the effect as well.

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