Hoya Filters Hoya filter Sparkle 6x 55mm

• Digital multi-coated glass allows a max. surface light reflection ratio of 0.5%.
• Black-rimmed glass minimizes random reflections inside the frame.
• Knurling makes it easy to attach and remove the filter.
• UV absorption filter case.
• Thin frame design to minimize vignetting even with wide angle lenses.
• Made in Japan quality

The HOYA SPARKLE series is a special cross-effect filter available in a 4-cross and 6-cross pattern. As opposed to conventional cross filters, the HOYA SPARKLE creates only moderately sized beams on light sources while softly enhancing their strength, creating a joyful and fairytale-like atmosphere in photos. From beginners to professionals, the HOYA SPARKLE is recommended for all photographers who want to express themselves in a creative way.

A spark inside of us
Imagine spending a warm spring night with your friends around a campfire, going with your date to a festive illuminated park during a cold winter evening or watching a raindrop calmly running down a flower after a summer storm. These scenes create a special feeling of coziness and ease – a feeling that flickers like a warm spark inside of us.

The sparkle effect
Conventional cross filters may appear with overly long light beams, cluttering and totally overloading your photos. Rather than letting the cross effect take over your photo, the HOYA SPARKLE aims to create a joyful atmosphere subtly through creating only moderately sized light beams. While doing so, the light sources themselves are also being gently enhanced, creating a perfect balance between strength of the light source and length of the light beams. Light sources can be anything – such as stars, light reflecting on water, or sunrays breaking through the crown of a tree.

HOYA SPARKLE in astrophotography
The HOYA SPARKLE 6X is a filter that absolutely shines (literally) in night sky photography. Through taking the light sources of brighter stars and converting them into 6-pointed stars, the SPARKLE series creates a simply beautiful and mesmerizing effect in your photos – creating a new standard for astrophotography.

Choose your pattern
The SPARKLE series consists of the SPARKLE 4X and the SPARKLE 6X, creating a four-cross pattern and six-cross pattern respectively. Try out both!

Soft effect
In the absence of strong light sources in the composition, the HOYA SPARKLE produces a soft effect in your image, creating a dreamy atmosphere. This is especially recommended for portrait, flower and landscape photography. You can further strengthen the soft effect through increasing the focal length towards the telephoto end!

Rotatable front frame
Through turning the front frame, you can change the angle of the cross pattern. This gives you the ability to always choose the perfect angle, personalizing your photos even further!

Get the best results

• The cross effect appears from single point sources. Other forms of light sources, e.g., cylinder shaped light like from fluorescent lamps, will not produce an effect. There are also cases in which large light sources prevent the cross effect from appearing clearly. In these situations, try to move further away from the interfering light source and try shooting again.
• The strength of the light source, the focal distance and the aperture value have an impact on the cross effect.
• If your image is too dark when shooting illuminations, try increasing the exposure compensation. On the other hand, should the image be too bright, try with a reduced exposure compensation.
• Cross streaks can be seen better in dark background settings. Also, focusing on the light source makes for a crisper cross effect.
• Depending on the conditions, a mesh shaped flare will occur (strong light sources and back lighting conditions).
• Increasing the focal length towards the telephoto end will strengthen the soft effect.
• Light rays might distort at wide angles.
• When the aperture is reduced to around f/22, light rays may become dotted.
• Under circumstances, the HOYA SPARKLE produces a meshed pattern over the blurred parts in your image.