Light pollution filters - are they worth it?

[guggle]

Living in suburban Melbourne, you could imagine that there is a fair amount of light pollution around. Looking around on various websites, I see that there are light pollution filters available and I was wondering how effective they are.

Does anyone have any experience with these?


Cheers, Michael.

[alistairsam]

I've been thinking of the same but from asking around at astrocamps, most who own UHC-S filters or similar say differences are not significant enough.

Else it'd have to be narrowband filters.

from my understanding galaxy spectra are too wide to be filtered, but nebulae filter might help.

input from those who own skyglow or pollution filters would be good.

[wavelandscott]

I'd encourage you to do a forum search on filters...You will find a fair amount of material and some comments that might be helpful.

In summary:

#1 Will a light pollution help? Yes
#2 Is it a subsititute for dark skies? No
#3 Knowing what I know know would I purchase a "Light Pollution" Filter? No probably not


Do search the threads...

[irwjager]

Hi Michael,

I also live in Melbourne about 12K from the CBD and have found my broadband light pollution filter really useful. I was able to get it very cheap second hand so I thought I'd give it a try, but honestly didn't expect too much.

It's a very cheap Seben (do note that this brand will make a lot of people cringe around here :D) so I was cautious, but it actually gets pretty good reviews on some German astronomy forums and rightfully so.

In my 8" Newt, M42 has slightly more contrast and it's easier to spot the dust lanes. The Carina Neb is where this filter really shines - with my eyes fully adjusted I can actually see it as you'd expect in an astro photo.
I also found M8 to be easier to see. It also makes other nebs easier to spot.

It does destroy color (my particular filter makes things green), but you wouldn't expect to see much color with an 8" Newt anyway when doing visual.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

[wavelandscott]

While I've not used the Seben (I've got the Astronomik one) I think you are providing good insight.

For me the real issue always was/is that with the light pollution my eyes never get dark adapated...the Light Pollution Filter does help but because I couldn't dark adapt I found the usefulness limited.

For me, if I'm looking for Faint Fuzzies it is much better to drive to a darker place.

[bartman]

For astro imaging are these filters any good ( uhc-s) compared to visual use of these filters?
Just thought I would put this question forward .....
Bartman

[Allan_L]

Found this the other day.
Take it for what its worth:

[irwjager]

You're absolutely right - nothing beats a dark sky site. My broadband filter won't really do much for the other faint fuzzies, but the light pollution where I am is *really* bad, so I guess it's easy to notice a difference.

Michael, you're welcome to borrow it (or have an ogle through my scope) and see what you think. :)

[guggle]

Allan, thanks for finding and posting that review. It was what I was looking for.

Ivo, I might just take you up on your offer.

[guggle]

With many thanks it Ivo (irwjager), I was able to borrow a light pollution filter and see for myself their worth. I was impressed with the level of contrast and sharpness it gave when looking at nebulae. I could see detail that I hadn't been able to before. Looking at stars and clusters didn't really make that much difference though. All it really did was give everything a green tinge.

Given that I wont be able to do dark sky observations very often, I see this as a valuable addition to my meager collection, although, I guess I should ask first, are there different types of LPF's and what are their alleged benefits?

Thanks again to Ivo.

Cheers, Michael.

[Fox]

Hi Mike. I have an old Lumicon Deep Sky filter. I use it with my 1.25 inch EPs and Genesis and NP127. It's nice with brighter nebulae and on select nights, but I don't use it much. I get best results when the skyglow from where I am isn't too intense, which itself is very unpredictable. Fox

[stevemac]

Hi all,
Has anyone had any experience with the Ba'ader Moon-skyglow filters? (2") Noting the comments in this thread, I do not see any mention of them? Does that mean "no good?"
Thanks
Steve

nb: i also posted a similar question in the beginners equipment forum

[casstony]

A zoom eyepiece is very useful with nebula filters - it lets you quickly find the best magnification/exit pupil for your particular observing conditions. I find contrast is best in a limited range from in town. Last night using a 6" f/5 achromat I found an exit pupil of 2.4 to 3.2 was giving the best result on the carina nebula. (12mm - 16mm setting on a hyperion zoom).

[ZeroID]

I have an Astronomik CLS filter and find it improves the view in my LP zone. Not too dark but enough to define Neb Dust clouds that were not visible before.The OIII is better but darker for Nebs obviously but CLS does help and for the price worth it to me. Gives me alternative viewing options.

[CoolhandJo]

I couldn't image at home without my hutech lpr2 filter. It's very good as it doesn't obstruct colours too much.

[toc]

I have the seben - I used it once with the C8, and wasnt impressed with the results - I will have to give it a go with the new 12 inch scope I have...