The original in 16-bit mode is linear 12-bit acquire using Canon eos*dcs*3camera into Photoshop 15-bit space and then cropped.

Lensflare (like all virtual reality modelling) does not render the light properly in gamma space.

1. overall effect is weak.
2. the flare falls off very rapidly.
3. the specular rays are not discernible.

etc, slowly toggle between linear editing and gamma-space editing to see the differences.

Linear space processing

1. Open the original linear higher bit-depth image.
2. convert to 8-bit mode.
3. apply Lens Flare filter at Brightness=60% and Lens type = 50-300mm zoom.
4. apply inverse gamma 2.2.
5. save as jpeg using quality factor 4.

Gamma-space processing

1. Open the original linear higher bit-depth image.
2. apply inverse gamma 2.2.
3. convert to 8-bit mode.
4. apply Lens Flare filter at Brightness=60% and Lens type = 50-300mm zoom.
5. save as jpeg using quality factor 4.