Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography
Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography

Astro Focus Filter for Stars & Planetary Photography

Regular price Sale price$59.99
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  • Free worldwide shipping above $99

Star Focus Filter helps astrophotographers achieve precise star focus quickly and reliably.

Focusing in complete darkness is one of the most challenging parts of astrophotography, as stars are often too dim for accurate manual focusing.

This filter uses a built-in Bahtinov Mask diffraction pattern. When placed in front of the lens and pointed at a bright star, it generates diffraction spikes that shift as you adjust focus. When the spikes become perfectly symmetrical, you reach critical focus.

Designed for field use, it features an 82 mm front thread and high-clarity optical acrylic construction. CNC-machined aluminum adapter rings (49–77 mm included) ensure wide compatibility. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry and use on any shoot.

Compatible Lens Diameter
82 mm
Thread Size
82 × 0.75 mm
Filter Material
High-clarity optical acrylic
Adapter Material
CNC-machined aluminum
Included Adapter Rings
49 / 52 / 55 / 58 / 62 / 67 / 72 / 77 mm
Weight
20 g (filter only)
30.3 g (with adapter rings)
Mounting Method
Screw-on threaded mount
Ø77 Look for the Ø symbol

How to Choose the Right Adapter

1

Find the Ø Symbol

Check the front of your camera lens for the filter thread size, marked with the Ø symbol (e.g. Ø58 or Ø77).

2

Match the Size

Select the adapter ring with the same diameter. The filter includes rings for 49 / 52 / 55 / 58 / 62 / 67 / 72 / 77 mm.

3

Attach the Filter

Screw the adapter ring onto your lens, then attach the Star Focus Filter to begin focusing.

💡 Note:
Your lens focal length (e.g. 18–55 mm or 24–70 mm) is not your filter size. Always use the number shown next to the Ø symbol.

Method 1

  1. Mount the Star Focus Filter onto your camera.
  2. Turn on the live view mode, adjust the ISO to the biggest (ISO 1600 or above), and set the shutter speed to 10s or more.
  3. Adjust the frame and make sure the bright star or light source is in the middle of the frame. It is recommended that you look for a bright star of magnitude 1 to focus on.
  4. Magnify the frame and adjust the focusing rings at the same time until three fine spike lines show out in the frame.
  5. Rotate the focusing ring to make the three spikes intersect at one point. This the when the precise focus is achieved.

Method 2

If you can't find a brighter star or the lens aperture is too small, you can take several testing pictures to get the focus.

  1. Mount the Star Focus Filter onto your camera.
  2. Adjust the focus rings to get an infinity focus
  3. Set the high ISO and short exposure (several seconds), and take one testing shot
  4. Check the three spike lines in the frame, if the central spike is closing to the left, screw the focus ring to the right. If the central spike is closing to the right, screw the focus ring to the left.
  5. Take a second testing shot, and repeat step 4 until three spikes intersect at one point. Then a precise focus is achieved.
 Note: Hand holding the filter, then it can work with the lens without the adapter 

① Shoot — Frame the Right Star

Position a bright star (magnitude ~1 or brighter) in the center of your frame.
This helps the filter properly isolate and enhance the target star for the best optical effect.

② Set — Dial in Your Camera Settings

For optimal performance, always prioritize light intake:

  • Use the widest aperture your lens allows
  • For wide-angle lenses, shoot at maximum aperture
  • Avoid stopping down unless needed for specific sharpness control

Recommended Aperture by Focal Length
10–11mm → F 1.2–2.5
12mm → F 1.2–2.8
14mm → F 1.2–3.5
16mm → F 1.2–4.0
18mm → F 1.2–4.5
20mm → F 1.2–5.0
24mm → F 1.2–5.6
28–600mm+ → F 1.2–5.6 or slower
💡 Note: These aperture recommendations are only for focusing with a Bahtinov diffraction pattern.

They are not your final shooting settings — remove the filter after focusing and shoot as normal.

③ Care — Protect Your Filter

To maintain long-term optical quality:

  • Store in a protective filter case after use
  • Keep away from high-temperature environments
  • Clean gently if needed:
    Start with an air blower
    Use neutral lens cleaning solution for oil or residue
  • Handle with care — the filter surface is not scratch-resistant
  • 5 stars: 88 (78%)
  • 4 stars: 21 (19%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (1%)
  • 2 stars: 2 (2%)
  • 1 star: 1 (1%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
R
Rod Sweet (Perth, AU)
Great assistance for aging eyes

I purchased the Easy Focus because I was having difficulty getting stars as sharp as possible. The simple Star Focus Filter made it a lot easier and fits most of my Astro lenses. At 82mm, I got the 77mm step-down as well, which covers my three main lenses for Astro: 16mm, 20mm & 135mm f/1.8’s. Once focused, just be sure not to knock the focus ring; consider taping it if needed. I have found it to be simple, effective and well-priced.

A
Aaron Weir (Medford, US)
Star Focus Filter

As a new astrophotographer, focusing on the stars is never a very easy task, and I am really happy to have the star focus filter! This tool gives me confidence that I have achieved focus every time, especially when using my 200mm lens for some deep sky targets. This is a must have tool for astrophotography!

1
1936 Matt (Clacton-on-Sea, GB)
Easy focus star filter - really is

Move Shoot Move have brought long exposure Astro photography to a much wider audience thanks to their combination of excellent value products and for their ease of use. As someone who now uses the Shoot Move Shoot Nomad all the time the acquiring of the Easy Focus filter was a great addition to speed up focusing of stars. It is very straightforward to use and works brilliantly on longer focal length lenses. Being a screw on filter it can be quickly attached and then removed. If you struggle to focus on stars and are using longer focal lengths then this is a great purchase. Highly recommended.

O
Olivier Brunelliere (Paris, FR)
That’s a star(t)

I really enjoy my first long pause photographs with sms. Very easy to use. The hard part is keeping the north White looking for a new target. Please create a device (adaptatif téléobjectif / laser) to ease the seach !

D
Daniel Chartrand (Mirabel, CA)
Star Focus at last

The star focus work great, I found it working well through all my lenses (on canon crop) 11 mm - 50 mm - 135 mm up to 600 mm. Drawback is you have to be careful to not move your focus (or zoom!) when you screw it off (a magnet focus ring would best). Usually needs to zoom the view to 10x to get a really clean view of the pattern. About being out of focus after alignement: I didn't have this issue, but be aware that if you measure in cold environment you need to wait for your gear to reach a constant temperature, I seen my focus being off after a while and need readjustment mid session because I didn't let it stabilize..

M
Mark B Evans

Great product.easy to use. I love it.

B
Bernd Nickl Nickl (Renningen, DE)
Star focus filter

Simplifies focusing, especially suitable for commercially available photo lenses.

H
Henk Busschers (Zoetermeer, NL)
Great equipment

The Star Focus Filter is really a help whilst focussing on the stars. Not an almost but a yes sharp result 👍

A
Andy B Coon Coon (San Jose, US)
Focus easier with this!

So I bought the 100x100mm filter to use on multiple lenses with a filter holder. It worked so well. I was using it to find the E3 Comet and focused on the stars around it and it worked out great! Easy to use but make sure you digital zoom for focus magnifier so you can see it better. Really good buy for my gear.

J
John Brick Brick (Arundel, GB)
Star focuser

It's a great little device, does help me to focus my camera, excellent bit of kit 👍

b
bryan dillon (Wrexham, GB)
Star focus filter

Item made it in good time through the post. Already fitted to the resize adaptor.
Screwed onto my lens for the first outing whilst under darkness and the stars. Focused was really easy down to 24mm. Below that I struggled to see the Bahtinov effect on the live view. Wanting to focus at 24mm it was super easy.
Especially when you remember to remove it afterwards. Would recommend to anyone struggling to focus at night.

C
Corry Clinton (Los Alamos, US)
Businesses with MSM

Excellent service

@
@davidgargonza (Madrid, ES)
Excellent tool for precise astrophotography focus

I absolutely love this star focus filter. The pattern is clear and well-defined, making it very easy to achieve precise focus on stars, even when working in challenging night conditions.

I also use it with a magnetic adapter, which makes attaching and removing the filter much quicker and more convenient in the field. For astrophotography, where accurate focus is critical, this has become a very useful part of my setup. Highly recommended.

N
Nicola Sacchet (Cervasca, IT)
Still waiting for an item that i have ordered and i have not received

I have ordered a rotating base, but i have not received it yet. Can you please look into this and ship it with a proper courier? Thank you

k
kay Hays (Española, US)
easy focus filter

Easy to use, having the tutorial on their web page, is well done and was extremely helpful for me! Having the step rings is also nice, so I can the use filter with different sizes lens

G
Garry Edwards (The Guvna)
Easy star focus

I have been pondering this set of adapters and bahtinov mask for a good while now. I’m glad I ordered it with all the adapters. It works great and makes star focusing so much easier. Just wish they had a 95mm adapter for my larger lenses. I was trying to use a telescope mask before, but these from MSM are much better for camera kenses.

C
Cheng (Auckland, NZ)
Star focus (Bahtinov Mask) Filter

If you’re shooting wide-angle Milky Way photos and struggling to achieve accurate focus on the stars, this is an excellent investment. It takes the guesswork out of focusing and is very easy to use.
One nice advantage is that it’s made from acrylic instead of glass, so you don’t have to worry as much about accidentally dropping it in the dark.
There are a couple of downsides. The focusing lines only appear on brighter stars, so it can be harder to use with dimmer ones—but with a bit of practice, you can work around this limitation.
Overall, I’m giving it 4 stars mainly due to the price, but performance-wise it’s a very useful tool for astrophotography.

M
Mohammed M. (Berlin, DE)
Für mich ein Gamechanger...

Ich hatte vorher einen anderen Filter, um auf die Sterne scharf zu stellen, aber immer Probleme gehabt die Schärfe auch zu bekommen. Mit diesem Filter von MSM ging dies ohne Probleme und auch direkt beim ersten Versuch!

P
Paul Masterson
Not just Easy Fikters

Having bought and tried out the Easy Focus filters for stars. It makes shooting so much easier. I shoot with a 135 mm lens with 77 mm filter size. I also use 52 mm and 67 mm filter size, so buying the most expensive one was perfect

F
Francesco Santomauro (Sant'Arpino, IT)
No more blurry stars! An indispensable tool

I purchased the Move Shoot Move Star Focus filter, and it has literally changed the way I shoot at night. Manually focusing on stars can be a nightmare, but with this filter (which works like a Bahtinov mask for photographic lenses), you get perfect focus in seconds thanks to the cross pattern it generates. The build quality is excellent, and the 82mm version with adapters makes it versatile for all my gear. I highly recommend it to anyone who does astrophotography, from beginners to professionals!

A
Aaron
Starting Our Astro Journey

The Nomad and Acc went together great. Once you understand the concept of tracking the earths movement it all makes sense. The only issue I had was calibrating the laser and scope. I think there should be more info on the calibration of the laser and scope. Would it be possible to insure both were calibrated before shipment?

FAQs

The filter can be used on wide-angle lenses, but the visibility of the Bahtinov focusing pattern varies with focal length.

For best results, we recommend lenses of 50mm or longer.

• 50mm+ — Best performance
• 24–50mm — Generally works well
• Below 24mm — The diffraction pattern may be weaker and harder to observe depending on the lens and shooting conditions.

The longer the focal length, the easier it is to see and use the focusing pattern.

Yes, it's ok for a zoom lens. The longer the focal length, the better the performance.

Yes, the filter has the thread to fit into the lens.

Yes. The filter should be removed before taking the exposure.

Yes. If your step-up rings go from 82mm to your lens diameter and the 82mm side uses the standard 82 × 0.75mm thread, they will fit properly.

This option includes one 82mm Star Focus Filter and a set of 8 adapter rings:
49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm.

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