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Tiffen 49STR42 49mm 4 Point Star Effect Filter — main product image
Tiffen

Tiffen 49STR42 49mm 4 Point Star Effect Filter

★★★★★4.2 (45 reviews)

Turn any point light source into a tack-sharp four-pointed star with this rotatable Tiffen filter — precise enough for candle flames, dramatic enough for city skylines.

$24.30*$45.00Save 46%
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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

The Tiffen 49mm 4 Point Star Filter (Model 49STR42) is a specialty diffraction filter designed to transform small, bright specular light sources into radiant four-pointed stars within the frame. The effect is produced by a diffraction grating embedded within Tiffen's ColorCore construction — a manufacturing process that sandwiches the effect material between two layers of optical glass rather than applying it as a surface coating. This matters practically: the laminated construction is more durable and produces less internal flare than surface-etched alternatives. The filter's screw-mount design allows full rotation on the lens, which translates directly into angular control over the star point orientation — a feature that separates it from fixed-position star filters where you accept whatever orientation the mount lands on.

In the field, this filter earns its place in event, wedding, and urban night photography kits where light sources — candles, chandeliers, streetlights, specular water — are compositional elements rather than obstacles. The four-point pattern is subtler than six- or eight-point alternatives, lending itself to elegant rather than overtly theatrical results. For architectural and cityscape photographers, it adds drama to long exposures of artificial light without overwhelming the scene. The trade-off to understand before mounting it: overall frame contrast drops measurably with the filter in place, and scenes without strong specular highlights produce little to no visible effect — making this a deliberate addition for specific lighting conditions rather than a filter you leave on permanently. It's a 49mm-specific tool; shooters with multiple filter diameters will need separate units or step-up rings.

Key Features

Creates four-point star effects from direct or reflected light sources

Adds sparkle to water scenes and candle flames

Filter can be rotated for creative control

49 millimeters in diameter

Specifications

Filter Diameter
49mm
Effect
4-point star diffraction
Construction
ColorCore glass laminated between two optical glass elements
Mount Type
Screw-mount, rotatable
Model
49STR42

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Rotation mechanism allows precise angular alignment of star points relative to compositional elements — a degree of creative control not available with fixed star filters.
  • ColorCore glass lamination positions the diffraction layer between two optical glass elements, reducing surface flare compared to single-layer etched filter designs.
  • 49mm thread mount fits a wide range of standard kit and prime lenses without adapters in this filter diameter.
  • Physically compact and lightweight, adding negligible bulk to a lens kit compared to carrying a dedicated effects lens.

👎 Cons

  • Mounting the filter introduces a measurable reduction in overall frame contrast and micro-contrast, even in areas without light sources — visible on critical inspection of RAW files.
  • Effect intensity is dependent entirely on light source characteristics; the filter produces weak or invisible star effects in scenes without small, bright specular highlights.
  • Star points from the four-line diffraction pattern can appear asymmetrical or inconsistent if light sources are not sufficiently point-like or if the filter glass is not precisely centered.
  • 49mm thread diameter limits use to lenses in this specific filter size; larger-diameter lenses require a step-up ring, which may vignette on wider focal lengths.
  • No lens cap compatibility when mounted — the front element requires a separate protective solution during transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rotating the filter physically changes the orientation of the diffraction grating etched into the ColorCore glass, which directly rotates the four star points around the light source. A 45-degree rotation on the filter produces a 45-degree rotation of the star points in the frame — giving you precise creative control to align or stagger star points relative to your horizon line or subject.
Small, bright, specular light sources produce the sharpest and most defined star points — candle flames, street lamps, bare bulbs, specular water reflections, and hard catchlights. Broad, diffuse light sources like overcast sky or softboxes generate little to no visible star effect because the diffraction requires a concentrated point of high contrast.
There is a measurable but typically minor reduction in overall contrast and micro-contrast across the frame when any diffraction filter is mounted. The Tiffen ColorCore construction — laminating the effect layer between two pieces of optical glass — minimizes this compared to surface-coated alternatives, but it is not optically neutral. For critical sharpness across the entire frame with no effect, the filter should be removed.
Physically, yes — it threads like a standard screw-mount filter. Optically, stacking introduces additional glass elements, increasing the risk of internal reflections (ghosting) and further reducing contrast. Stacking a star filter with a circular polarizer in low-light scenes is particularly problematic due to light loss. Single-filter use is recommended for cleanest results.

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