Merlin66
28-10-2016, 02:27 PM
After seven years my BF15 (from my SM60) finally died......
I was testing an ol' IOM etalon and borrowed a Lunt 1800 filter; I couldn't help but try it on the SM60. Majic! Wonderfully bright and detailed surface and proms.
When I went back to the BF15 I thought I'd gone blind - the solar disk was very faint by comparison (similar to the difference between single and double stacking). What!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A closer look at the ITF element revealed the dreaded heat rust syndrome - Bumma! All my BF filters are always kept in sealed Tupperware with Silica Gel.
Mr Maier to the rescue. I bought one of the ITF replacement filters ( H-alpha ITF Blocker, 0.69 Dia x 0.125 inches) for testing a couple of years ago (to compare with the Baader 35nm as an ITF replacement) and quickly did the change over.
http://maierphotonics.com/656bandpassfilter.aspx
The view was now as bright as the Lunt with the same visible details!!!
Hopefully the Maier ITF will last as long as the original.
I was testing an ol' IOM etalon and borrowed a Lunt 1800 filter; I couldn't help but try it on the SM60. Majic! Wonderfully bright and detailed surface and proms.
When I went back to the BF15 I thought I'd gone blind - the solar disk was very faint by comparison (similar to the difference between single and double stacking). What!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A closer look at the ITF element revealed the dreaded heat rust syndrome - Bumma! All my BF filters are always kept in sealed Tupperware with Silica Gel.
Mr Maier to the rescue. I bought one of the ITF replacement filters ( H-alpha ITF Blocker, 0.69 Dia x 0.125 inches) for testing a couple of years ago (to compare with the Baader 35nm as an ITF replacement) and quickly did the change over.
http://maierphotonics.com/656bandpassfilter.aspx
The view was now as bright as the Lunt with the same visible details!!!
Hopefully the Maier ITF will last as long as the original.