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Tiffen 58STR42 58mm 4-Point Star Effect Filter — main product image
Tiffen

Tiffen 58STR42 58mm 4-Point Star Effect Filter

★★★★★4.3 (57 reviews)

Turn any point of light into a four-pointed starburst with this rotatable 58mm optical glass filter built for photographers who want elegant, controllable sparkle.

$35.95*$50.00Save 28%
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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 58mm 4-Point Star Filter is a diffraction-grating optical filter that converts specular point light sources into four-armed starbursts within the frame. The effect is produced by a precision-etched linear pattern on the optical glass element — when a concentrated light source hits the grating at the right angle, it diffracts into the characteristic four-pointed star. The filter threads into any 58mm front filter mount and rotates independently, so you can align the star points to diagonal, horizontal-vertical, or any intermediate angle without repositioning the camera. The optical glass substrate and multi-coating are what separate this from entry-level alternatives: the glass maintains edge-to-edge sharpness on the non-glare portions of the image, and the coating suppresses the secondary reflections that can muddy a scene when you're shooting toward strong light.

This filter is purpose-built for scenarios where a point of light is compositionally meaningful — the lone candle in a low-light portrait, a setting sun breaking over a ridgeline, reflections dancing off moving water, or the stage lighting in event photography. It rewards deliberate use: the effect is most pronounced at wider apertures and with high-contrast light-to-dark ratios in the scene. Photographers who shoot product, jewelry, or architectural interiors will find it useful for adding visual energy to otherwise static specular highlights. The rotatable mount is genuinely useful in the field — being able to reorient the star arms without touching the lens position allows fine compositional adjustments mid-session. It's a single-purpose tool, but within that purpose, it performs with the optical consistency that Tiffen's glass construction is known for.

Key Features

Achieve 4-point star effects from direct or reflected light sources

Add sparkle to water scenes and candle flames

Filter may be rotated for creative control

58mm diameter

Specifications

Model
58STR42
Filter Size
58mm
Effect
4-Point Star
Material
Optical Glass, Aluminum ring
Coating
Multi-coated
Rotation
Yes — filter rotates for creative control

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Rotatable mount gives precise compositional control over star point orientation without removing the filter from the lens
  • Optical glass construction preserves image sharpness better than resin alternatives — the diffraction effect is localized to light sources, not spread across the frame
  • Works on any specular light source at 58mm — candlelight, water reflections, street lights — making it versatile across event, portrait, and landscape work
  • Multi-coated surface reduces ghosting and color cast that would otherwise compound with the starburst effect
  • Produces a clean, symmetrical four-point pattern rather than the irregular flare that uncoated or poorly engineered star filters can exhibit

👎 Cons

  • The 4-point pattern is fixed — photographers who want 6- or 8-point stars need a different filter entirely, as this cannot be modified
  • Starburst intensity is exposure-dependent; in daylight with small apertures, the effect can be overpowered and requires a wide aperture to read clearly
  • The filter physically stays on the lens during capture, requiring removal or addition of a protective cover when stowing — no quick-detach mechanism
  • At 58mm this is a single-size filter; photographers with multiple lens diameters will need separate filters or adapter rings for each
  • No hard case or protective pouch is included, increasing the risk of scratching the optical glass element in a kit bag

Frequently Asked Questions

This filter is machined for a 58mm front filter thread — check the inside of your lens cap or the barrel markings (e.g., ⌀58) to confirm. If your lens is a different diameter, step-up or step-down rings can adapt it, though vignetting risk increases on wide-angle lenses.
Yes — the filter ring rotates freely, and rotating it repositions the four star points relative to the frame. Rotating 45° shifts the star from a cross-aligned (+) to a diagonal (×) orientation, giving you meaningful compositional control over how the flare interacts with your subject.
Tiffen constructs this filter from optical glass rather than optical resin, which preserves sharpness better than cheaper plastic alternatives. The multi-coated surface reduces internal reflections and minimizes color shift, but any diffraction filter introduces a measurable softening of the light source itself — which is the intended effect.
The effect is strongest with specular, point-source light — bare bulbs, candle flames, sun stars, reflections off water, street lights, and jewelry. Broad, diffused light sources (overcast sky, softboxes, large windows) do not produce visible starburst because there is no concentrated point for the diffraction grating to work with.
The filter sits in front of the optical path and does not mechanically interact with the lens's autofocus system. AF performance is unaffected. The filter adds negligible weight and no additional length that would cause focus hunting or balance issues.

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