Nebula Filters

[Lyinxz]

Hey all , Thinking about purchasing a nebula filter
Just wandering whether or not its worth forking $155.00 for it..:shrug:

http://www.telescope.com.au/Home/tabid/247/CategoryID/973/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/1181/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost%2cP roductName

Do you guys use them at all?

Im guessing they just give you a more detailed image yea?
but is the image worth the bucks ...?

Thanks ,
Ash.

[erick]

Yes, but search the forum for DGM Optics NPB filter. It's not an OIII filter, but many people find it enhances many objects just fine!

[Lyinxz]

Thanks erick, hopefully my local supplier has one.:)

[OneOfOne]

For viewing things like Orion in polluted skies, the filter will make a huge improvement to the contrast. Things won't be as bright, but the sky will appear much darker, making the nebulae much easier to see. If you have dark skies, and I don't think you will have that problem, they will actually make the view worse. Just remember to take it off when you view "non' nebulae objects...been there, done that!

[erick]

Not sure if anyone stocks it locally. I ordered direct from the USA manufacturer/supplier. Bought the "Cosmetic Second" to save some $s. Very happy with supplier performance. Price was good then and A$ has climbed relative to the US$ since then.

http://www.omegafiltersebuyer.com/servlet/StoreFront

[Chief Wiggum]

Thanks Eric, I was just about to ask that very question.

Cheers
Warrick

[erick]

Get together with others and get a few shipped in to save on postage? Two of us bought one each in one shipment.

[Solanum]

I have just bought a second hand Lumicon UHC filter, similar the the DGM one, but of course it's band pass is a little different. I have been really impressed with how useful it is. Just last night I used it for several objects, including two planetary nebulas (NGC1360 & NGC2438, for which it didn't improve detail in the nebula, but greatly improved the contrast with the background to make them stand out), and the Flame nebula in Orion (which was difficult to see without it, but the dark area through the middle was quite obvious with it).

Bear in mind a couple of things though, the narrower the band pass the less light will get through, so whilst contrast with an OIII filter might be amazing, you need a good sized scope and a bright object to actually see anything with your eyes! Also the UHC filter or similar isn't likely to let you able to see an object that was invisible to you before, but it should increase the contrast against the sky background and can reduce glare from bright stars a bit.

So in all, I'm very pleased with it at the price, but at the full cost of $155 I'd have replaced my 9 mm GSO Plossl with a Vixen NLV first....

[erick]

If anyone is thinking of getting in a shipment, let me know. I may spend some money :scared:. A DGM OIII filter is tempting me?

Does anyone have experience of this particular filter?

CN review is positive:- http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1701

[programmer]

Ash, how did you go? I'm thinking of getting my FIRST extra bit of kit and wondering whether to get an EP (probably) or a nebula filter, or some such. Too many confusing choices! I'm just glad my minuscule budget narrows it down a lot!

[wavelandscott]

I have one and if that is David K.'s review (I did not check the link)...I agree with his thoughts and the review that he wrote.

In my opinion it is an interesting filter...Although I am not sure where it actually rates compared to a pure OIII (I've not had enough different experiences with other OIII filters to compare)

I am very fond of the two DGM Filters I have (NPB and OIII).

[erick]

Yes, David Knisely's review. Thanks for your thoughts. I think I'll order one. :)

[Escortitis]

Just for your interest guy's, I have a Thousand Oaks OIII (2") for sale. It's 3 weeks old and in new condition. I'm selling it because I should have read up on filters before I bought one for imaging! PM if your (anyone) interested.
:D

[Lyinxz]

hey , didn't end up buying it sorry mate!

Instead I purchased a 18mm ED eye piece which i am loving at the moment! :thumbsup:

Might get a neb filter later on in the track , but my next spend will be on a 2x barlow! cant wait :D

[Craig.a.c]

I am using a Neodymium moon, skyglow filter. It helps cut down on light pollution from street lights and the moon. I was surprised at how much more it brings out nebula then without it.

[programmer]

Sounds great. Is it this one? http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/ProductMenus/TeleAccessories/tabid/49/CategoryID/258/List/1/catpagesize/10/Level/a/ProductID/316/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost%2cP roductName
Did you buy it for a general purpose EP, or for planetary or ?? How do you find it compared to other eyepieces you have? I'm happy to pay $145 for a pretty good EP every once in a while :)

[leinad]

Hey guys, I ordered the NPB and OIII 1.25" filters late last week. eagerly awaiting arrival. Both plus shipping cost only $181.75

I'll report on them from both darkish skies(just outside Margaret River) and light polluted(at home just outside Perth).

Soz erick, missed your post of interest by a just a few days.

A thought that came to mind is that I wonder if we could bulk buy from a supplier. Computer supplier forums do this quite often, and it would be interesting if this could be arranged with the IIS forum users.:whistle:

[Lyinxz]

hey , yea thats the one i wanted but they didnt have any in stock!

however the champ advised me on another one for $100 , its just got written ED on it. no brand name or anything, he says that it has exactly same lense and specs like eye relief as the X-Cel.

So i ended up getting that , I use it for general purpose as im still learning.. and find it great quality :)

however the eye pieces I had before these were just really basic 10mm and 20mm that came with the scope so cant really compare them to any good quality brand eye pieces.:shrug:

[bindibadgi]

Anyone still interested in a group buy from DGM? I'm seriously considering an NPB (or two ...) and it would be great to bring the shipping down a smidge.

Sorry about the thread archaeology, but hey, I searched right? :D

[erick]

I still haven't bought the OIII, but I've committed to some other expenditure at the moment. I think I'm a few months away from buying a DGM OIII, sadly. :sadeyes:

Edit - bindibadgi, I've just looked at the DGM site and changed my mind. I can stretch to the HPOIII 1.25" cosmetic second, selling at USD68 plus part of postage to OZ plus postage from Canberra. I had been thinking of the 2", but have just realised I really want it for planetary nebulae and I need magnification for them, so 1.25" will be fine. I can always "blink" with a 2" widefield eyepiece to find the PN before I go to higher magnification in a 1.25" eyepiece. Please PM me.

[astronut]

Hi Erick (everyone)
I've used
http://stores.ebay.com.au/BJOMEJAG-EBUYER-STORE_Astronomical-FIlters_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ2 QQftidZ2QQtZkm
supplier in the U.S with great success, as have many members of my club.
Prices are significantly cheaper (even with postage) than OZ prices.
The filters work brilliantly.:thumbsup:

[erick]

Those are cheap prices. And if they perform brilliantly!

[astronut]

Erick,
I've used my 2" UHC/0111 filter with great success on Eta Carinae, Orion Nebula etc, plus finding those elusive faint planetary nebulas.
http://bjomejag.squarespace.com/ is his main site.
It will give you a great background to man.:thumbsup: