Advice needed, should I prioritise UHC (or OIII) filter or ultra wide field eyepieces

[Matthieu]

Hi there,

I'm new here and am interested in hearing any advice you may have on what to prioritise first between ultra wide angle eyepieces (82°+) or nebulae filters.

Over the last 4-5 months of learning on a 70mm f/10, I've found myself enjoying M42 and Carina the most but at the same time couldn't really see much galaxies wise (LMC/SMC aside). I've just bought a second hand 400mm (16inch) f/4.5 but I suspect that nebulae will be a mainstay of what I look at hence the filter question :)

I already have a 68° 30mm GSO superview as well as some Celestron X-cell 60° eyepieces (a range between 25-5mm) so I'm not stuck with 42° aFoV.

Considering the above, does it make more sense to invest in something like a 31mm Luminos (I still need to check my dilated pupil size though) or get a similar quality midrange filter. Note that TV, ES and co are out of reach for now.

Thanks,
Matt

[croweater]

Hi Matt. The xl's are quite good eyepieces and many people here use the superviews. I would get the Olll or UHC seeing as you have a good size scope now that will take full advantage of that type of filter. Get a quality one and you will probably never sell it. You will probably chop and change your eyepices over the years so no need to hurry.
Cheers, Richard

[Matthieu]

Thanks for the advice Richard

[ausastronomer]

How dark are your skies ?

[Matthieu]

They’re bortle 4. SQM is 21.64 according to clear outside.

[gaseous]

I agree with what Richard proposed - get an OIII or UHC (or both!), then you can make a decision about getting wider FOV eyepieces down the track. I've had the 30mm Superview in the past (and still have the 42mm, although it doesn't get much use), and they're a pretty good eyepiece for the money. That, coupled with an OIII filter in your 16" scope and things will really start to pop.

[glenc]

I suggest a UHC filter first then an 82 degree EP.
I have Lumicon UHC and OIII filters and a SVBONY UHC.
I rarely use the OIII and the two UHC are both good, one is on a low power EP the other on a high power EP.

[Matthieu]

Thanks for the insight Glen and Patrick, it's great to see that all the advice aligns. That makes the decision easy :)

[Matthieu]

I thought I'd post back in case other people have the same question in the future.

I listened to the advice earlier this year so prioritised a UHC filter from Astronomik and it made a huge difference viewing nebulae. I will get an OIII at some point too.

I also got a GSO coma corrector for the dob and the 30mm GSO Superview went from an underused eyepiece to a favourite of mine so ultra wide doesn't seem so important anymore. That said I do need an eyepiece in the 17-18mm range to bridge the gap between 2.7 and 5.6mm exit pupils on the dob :D