Cokin P56 8 Point Star Filter

Creative Light Control

The Cokin P56 is an 8-point star filter from the P-Series that turns discrete light sources into multi-ray stars, adding a graphic sparkle to night cityscapes, stage lighting, candlelight or specular reflections on water and glass. It is aimed at photographers who want in-camera special effects without post-processing.

Square Slide-In System

The filter mounts in a Cokin P-Series holder that slides onto an adapter ring matched to the lens thread, leaving the front of the lens free for a hood or additional square filters such as colour, graduated or sunset types. This modular approach lets the effect be combined or removed in seconds without re-threading circular glass.

Consistent Effect Under Bright Points

Because the etched pattern is fixed, the star burst remains geometrically identical frame after frame regardless of exposure length, so long exposures of moving traffic or fireworks render the same 8-ray signature as a quick handheld shot of neon signs. The effect is strongest against dark backgrounds where each highlight becomes a defined star.

Not For Non-Point Sources

Scenes dominated by broad, even illumination such as overcast skies, studio softboxes or large diffuse walls produce no visible rays because the filter only acts on concentrated highlights. Photographers needing subtle diffusion or flare control rather than graphic star patterns will not achieve that look with this filter.