The Schneider 77mm Red, White, and Blue True-Streak, 6-Point Star Filter is designed to be used perpendicular to a point light source such as the sun, a light bulb, or a candle. Within the filter's surface is a combination of fine line types that help to create a starburst effect with six primary diffraction spikes that extend from the light source. Each diffraction spike consists of multiple, elongated streaks that are symmetric and extend from each point light source. Those streaks are similar to the lines created in a scene or image that has been recorded with an anamorphic lens and then displayed using a complementary reverse projection lens. Together, they are frequently utilized for the purpose of drawing attention to a specific part of the frame, or to create a visually dramatic effect. Instead of only the blue highlights generated when using traditional anamorphic optics that are not designed to suppress streaking, the streaks within each diffraction spike when using the Schneider 77mm Red, White, and Blue True-Streak, 6-Point Star Filter, are rendered white, or with a red or blue hue, for a total two diffraction spikes of each color.
This filter is most effective for pictures where the light source used to generate the starburst effect is a highlight with a significant degree of contrast from the rest of the image. It is constructed from water white glass for clarity as well as color fidelity, and features an anodized, aluminum-alloy ring for durability while remaining lightweight. The filter ring can be rotated in order to adjust the direction of the diffraction spikes and overall orientation of the starburst effect.