How do I avoid "stars" around street lights?

[dirtcastle]

Here's an example of what I don't want.



And here's an example of what I DO want...

[wickidwombat]

the stars only happen at narrow apertures
its pretty easy to stop getting them simply shoot at an wider aperture less than f8 say f4 even wider if you feel like it
just watch out for Depth of field issues

[sandymandy]

It also depends a lot on your lenses what kind of "stars" you will get.

[Menace]

Yep, larger apertures will help - do experiment 

[pwp]

the stars only happen at narrow apertures
its pretty easy to stop getting them simply shoot at an wider aperture less than f8 say f4 even wider if you feel like it.

How about that! You learn something new every day. In close to 1000 years as a photographer I was not aware of this useful fact. Thanks!

-PW

[dirtcastle]

I guess it's sort of like squinting ones eyes and seeing stars. It makes sense. I guess it's sort of like the aperture squinting (and thus distorting the light).

That first shot was f/10, with a 6 second exposure and a UV filter. I have no idea what the 2nd shot was set to. But I'm guessing a low/wide aperture and less than a 1sec exposure.

I've noticed that a lot of photographers do their night shots at very wide/low apertures. I'm going to experiment with how low I can go and still have things reasonably in focus.

Thanks for the advice people!

[Gert Arijs]

Also, make sure you do not use a filter when not strictly nessesary. And clean the lens surface! That 'll help too.

[dr croubie]

Here is a (short) decent writeup of the phenomenon (although good old Ken seems to rather like them, so do the opposite if you don't want them)

[marekjoz]

As this problem is solved I have another riddle: how to avoid such phenomenons?


Warsaw by marekjoz, on Flickr

Shot @F4, 24mm, ISO 3200, 1/30s.
Hint: it's guessable by looking at the picture

[Policar]

As this problem is solved I have another riddle: how to avoid such phenomenons?


Warsaw by marekjoz, on Flickr

Shot @F4, 24mm, ISO 3200, 1/30s.
Hint: it's guessable by looking at the picture

Don't shoot through a windshield.

[marekjoz]

As this problem is solved I have another riddle: how to avoid such phenomenons?



Shot @F4, 24mm, ISO 3200, 1/30s.
Hint: it's guessable by looking at the picture

Don't shoot through a windshield.

Yes, that's a correct answer!

As a reward you can choose one of:
1. 1dx
2. 5d3
3. EF 400 F2.8
4. d800

You have 5 seconds to make a decision...

[marekjoz]

As this problem is solved I have another riddle: how to avoid such phenomenons?



Shot @F4, 24mm, ISO 3200, 1/30s.
Hint: it's guessable by looking at the picture

Don't shoot through a windshield.

Yes, that's a correct answer!

As a reward you can choose one of:
1. 1dx
2. 5d3
3. EF 400 F2.8
4. d800

You have 5 seconds to make a decision...

sorry, time is over

[Bosman]

As this problem is solved I have another riddle: how to avoid such phenomenons?


Warsaw by marekjoz, on Flickr

Shot @F4, 24mm, ISO 3200, 1/30s.
Hint: it's guessable by looking at the picture

Don't shoot through a windshield.

LOL! +1, totally a windshield.

[bdunbar79]

As this problem is solved I have another riddle: how to avoid such phenomenons?


Warsaw by marekjoz, on Flickr

Shot @F4, 24mm, ISO 3200, 1/30s.
Hint: it's guessable by looking at the picture

Don't shoot through a windshield.

LOL! +1, totally a windshield.

Are we in the US in this photo??? Why can I not see a McDonald's in the distance?

[Bosman]

Go small F number meaning large apertures. I shoot F16 when i want to make the sun starburst thru the trees which is the opposite of what you want. Also i believe the number of star points is related to how many aperture blades are in the lens as well.
first one is a 5d with 35L second a 5d and 15mm Fisheye.