The diffraction filter is quite a cool effect and was available in the Hoya range back in the 7os under the group Spectral Star. This took the conventional cross screen and straburst filter and added a rainbow like pattern to the points. Hoya produced three filters in this range
The Andromeda that gave a single line through the photo and created ghost like blurs to the subject as well as the multicoloured streak from point light sources.
The Pulsator gave a star 8 like effect with more points in the background.
And the Nebula gave a whiling motion by adding dozens of lines out
But it was Cokin who made the effect become popular when their Special effects filters appeared.
Cokin still produce a series of Diffraction filters
The Cokin Diffractor Cosmos 040 is like the Hoya Andromeda with its single line
The Diffractor Univers 041 is like the Hoya Pulstaor with its eight star burst
And the Diffractor Galaxy 042 is like the Hoya Nebula with its multiple star burst.
Not very original but because of the universal holder became for more popular as you could buy one filter for several lenses.
Hoya not to be outdone created the Hoyarex system which also had a series of diffraction filters.
They made things simpler by calling the filters diffraction and listing the number of points and also increased the choice giving us the widest range of diffractions made.
There was the Hoyarex Diffraction 2x Model No 702, Diffraction 4x Model No 704, Diffraction 8x Model No 708, Diffraction 18x Model No 718, Diffraction 36x Model No 736, Diffraction 48x Model No 748 and the Diffraction Halo Model no 799.
The photo used to illustrate this article is taken with the Hoyarex Diffraction 48x
It’s not easy to recreate this filter digitally and is well worth adding to your collection. Works with glass, water, jewellery and any other item where you can get a sparkle of light to diffract.
