Just stating my own opinion here, but I’d say that real sun rays look better than rays made with a sparkle filter. The rays look too artificial, if you know what I mean. I agree that sun rays look great, but imo they need to be real in order to look good. Don’t get me wrong, if you like the looks of sparkle filter sun rays, go for it. I don’t mind. Like I said, this is just my own opinion. Personally, I’d say sparkle filters are made for photographing Christmas lights and other lights of similar style, but different people have different likes. My preference would be to wait till the rays are actually visible without any additional equipment and photograph that. Yes, I know, the most likely time for the rays to be visible is when you aren’t prepared or are preoccupied and can’t photograph them. But such is life for a photographer. You gotta take the chance when it comes. I thought I had taken some sun ray pics, but a hasty search through my pics resulted in a negative. Perhaps I’ll do a more thorough search soon.
