Best "Starburst" on lenses?

**csa** · 12-20-2015, 08:46 AM

Which lens gives the best (prettiest) starburst effect? I've seen some spectacular images with the sun, and just lights, and really like this effect!

Adam · 12-20-2015, 08:49 AM - **1 Like**

The SMC 15mm F4 Limited (not the HD version) is well-known for this. Other wide lenses with straight aperture blades should also be capable of the effect. I've also gotten nice results with the Samyang 10mm F2.8.

Aaron28 · 12-20-2015, 08:51 AM

I think it may hafta do with how many blades the lens has and stopping it down gives the spikes

Scintilla · 12-20-2015, 08:55 AM - **1 Like**

In general, you're going to want a lens with straight aperture blades. An odd number of blades will give starbursts with twice as many points as the lens has blades, while an even number of blades will just give starbursts with points equal to the number of blades, so odd usually looks more impressive.

I hear the smc Pentax-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited (but NOT the current, HD version, as it has rounded aperture blades) mentioned a lot for starbursts. The 21's 7-bladed aperture yields nice 14-pointed starbursts. Here are two of my own shots with this lens, both taken at f/11:

**luftfluss** · 12-20-2015, 08:55 AM

Like Adam said, the SMC DA15 Ltd is noted for it's prominent, well-defined starbursts. Some people think they are too well-defined, and subsequently distracting. The SMC DA21 Ltd does nice starbursts, too, though not so grand as the 15 and you need to stop down to f/8 or smaller, and is more prone to artifacts.

DA21

**csa** · 12-20-2015, 09:18 AM

Thanks everyone for your quick & informative replies! I do want a WA lens, had been considering the Tamro 10-24, or Pentax 12-24; but may also throw in for the 15 Limited or 21 Limited to get this nice starburst! I really love the photos shown here, exactly what I was wanting to see!

hoopsontoast · 12-20-2015, 09:20 AM - **3 Likes**

Any of the older style lenses with straight sided aperture blades do a good job, IME the FA24, FA20-35 and FA43 have been very good at this, and a highly desireable traight in a landscape lens (more so than smooth bokeh from curved blades).

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-20-2015, 09:22 AM - **1 Like**

While not well known for starbursts, the DA* 16-50 can do them.

**luftfluss** · 12-20-2015, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by csa

Thanks everyone for your quick & informative replies! I do want a WA lens, had been considering the Tamro 10-24, or Pentax 12-24; but may also throw in for the 15 Limited or 21 Limited to get this nice starburst! I really love the photos shown here, exactly what I was wanting to see!

We're always up for helping people spend money.

**csa** · 12-20-2015, 09:26 AM - **1 Like**

Steve, that's great to know; that I can get the starburst in a WA zoom! That is even better for me!

BTW, gorgeous image!!!!

**csa** · 12-20-2015, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

We're always up for helping people spend money.

I've noticed!

robthebloke · 12-20-2015, 09:28 AM

All of the SMC (not HD) DA limiteds will starburst, but the DA15 SMC will do it on command, all of the time. The other lenses in the range often need a little bit of coaxing to starburst. The HD variants still star burst, but the effect is a little bit mushy compared to the nicely defined stars that the SMC versions produce. A few not great examples from the DA15 on a walk home from work.... https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYZsUfG (every shot I took that day had a starburst in it)

**csa** · 12-20-2015, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

IME the FA24, FA20-35 and FA43 have been very good at this, and a highly desireable traight in a landscape lens

That's great information also, love the photos!

**csa** · 12-20-2015, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by robthebloke

All of the SMC (not HD) DA limiteds will starburst, but the DA15 SMC will do it on command, all of the time. The other lenses in the range often need a little bit of coaxing to starburst. The HD variants still star burst, but the effect is a little bit mushy compared to the nicely defined stars that the SMC versions produce. A few not great examples from the DA15 on a walk home from work.... https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYZsUfG (every shot I took that day had a starburst in it)

Those are very nicely defined stars! The DA15 SMC does a remarkable job!

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-20-2015, 09:47 AM - **2 Likes**

Many lenses will give this effect in the F16 area. This was taken with the DA 18-135:

12-20-2015, 08:46 AM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Best "Starburst" on lenses? Which lens gives the best (prettiest) starburst effect? I've seen some spectacular images with the sun, and just lights, and really like this effect!

12-20-2015, 08:49 AM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The SMC 15mm F4 Limited (not the HD version) is well-known for this. Other wide lenses with straight aperture blades should also be capable of the effect. I've also gotten nice results with the Samyang 10mm F2.8. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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12-20-2015, 08:51 AM	#3
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	I think it may hafta do with how many blades the lens has and stopping it down gives the spikes

12-20-2015, 08:55 AM - 1 Like	#4
Scintilla Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 347	In general, you're going to want a lens with straight aperture blades. An odd number of blades will give starbursts with twice as many points as the lens has blades, while an even number of blades will just give starbursts with points equal to the number of blades, so odd usually looks more impressive. I hear the smc Pentax-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited (but NOT the current, HD version, as it has rounded aperture blades) mentioned a lot for starbursts. The 21's 7-bladed aperture yields nice 14-pointed starbursts. Here are two of my own shots with this lens, both taken at f/11:

12-20-2015, 08:55 AM	#5
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Like Adam said, the SMC DA15 Ltd is noted for it's prominent, well-defined starbursts. Some people think they are too well-defined, and subsequently distracting. The SMC DA21 Ltd does nice starbursts, too, though not so grand as the 15 and you need to stop down to f/8 or smaller, and is more prone to artifacts. DA21

12-20-2015, 09:18 AM	#6
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for your quick & informative replies! I do want a WA lens, had been considering the Tamro 10-24, or Pentax 12-24; but may also throw in for the 15 Limited or 21 Limited to get this nice starburst! I really love the photos shown here, exactly what I was wanting to see!

12-20-2015, 09:20 AM - 3 Likes	#7
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861	Any of the older style lenses with straight sided aperture blades do a good job, IME the FA24, FA20-35 and FA43 have been very good at this, and a highly desireable traight in a landscape lens (more so than smooth bokeh from curved blades).

12-20-2015, 09:22 AM - 1 Like	#8
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	While not well known for starbursts, the DA* 16-50 can do them.

12-20-2015, 09:22 AM	#9
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by csa Thanks everyone for your quick & informative replies! I do want a WA lens, had been considering the Tamro 10-24, or Pentax 12-24; but may also throw in for the 15 Limited or 21 Limited to get this nice starburst! I really love the photos shown here, exactly what I was wanting to see! We're always up for helping people spend money.

12-20-2015, 09:26 AM - 1 Like	#10
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Steve, that's great to know; that I can get the starburst in a WA zoom! That is even better for me! BTW, gorgeous image!!!!

12-20-2015, 09:27 AM	#11
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss We're always up for helping people spend money. I've noticed!

12-20-2015, 09:28 AM	#12
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	All of the SMC (not HD) DA limiteds will starburst, but the DA15 SMC will do it on command, all of the time. The other lenses in the range often need a little bit of coaxing to starburst. The HD variants still star burst, but the effect is a little bit mushy compared to the nicely defined stars that the SMC versions produce. A few not great examples from the DA15 on a walk home from work.... https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYZsUfG (every shot I took that day had a starburst in it)

12-20-2015, 09:31 AM	#13
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by hoopsontoast IME the FA24, FA20-35 and FA43 have been very good at this, and a highly desireable traight in a landscape lens That's great information also, love the photos!

12-20-2015, 09:34 AM	#14
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by robthebloke All of the SMC (not HD) DA limiteds will starburst, but the DA15 SMC will do it on command, all of the time. The other lenses in the range often need a little bit of coaxing to starburst. The HD variants still star burst, but the effect is a little bit mushy compared to the nicely defined stars that the SMC versions produce. A few not great examples from the DA15 on a walk home from work.... https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYZsUfG (every shot I took that day had a starburst in it) Those are very nicely defined stars! The DA15 SMC does a remarkable job!

12-20-2015, 09:47 AM - 2 Likes	#15
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Many lenses will give this effect in the F16 area. This was taken with the DA 18-135: