OSC Narrowband Filters ED72

[Bodon (Steve)]

Gday all.


I have an ED72 with a SW reducer. Have a 183MC. Only taken one picture due to weather. New to the game as this scope was a finder for my 10"newt. Can a guru tell me is it worth me spending up and getting a 2" mounted Optolong Enhance, Extreme etc or Antila gold? Understand that they are pricey. Im in a bortle4 area....supposedly. Would I need a ZWO filter draw for an easy fit?
Need some guru advice. Ta

[Nikolas (Nik)]

zwo filter draw is a good investment for sure,
Bortle 4 means less light pollution I would use the L-Enhance as a minimum then decide I I wanted something narrower later.

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Hey all,

Just to add to the confusion, what about the Optolong L-Pro filter? I'm heading down this path as well - same scope and camera as Bodon - and pondering which filter to get.

The attached images are the camera's frequency response curves and the L-Pro's block / pass diagram.

To my eyes, the L-Pro would be a better option because it allows more colours to reach the camera.

So far, my shopping list consists of:
1 x ZWO 2” filter drawer
1 x ZWO 2” to 1.25” filter adapter ring
1 x Optolong L-Pro 1.25” filter

It's also tempting to get a second filter holder and adaptor to mount a UV/IR cut filter for if/when the skies are darker than usual or I'm at a dark-sky site.

For what it's worth, my backyard is Bortle 5 to 6.

Cheers,
V

[Stephane]

Hi Steve,

My understanding is that the L-pro is a broadband filter (great for galaxies and reflection nebulae) where as much of the visible spectrum passes through as possible except some wave lengths where the heaviest light pollution resides. On the other hand, the L-enhance & L-Extreme are dual band filters isolating hydrogen and oxygen only (great for emission nebulae). The tighter the bands, the less light pollution can creep in, but the more expensive the filter.

I’ve been using the L-Extreme for most emission nebulae (except M42), and use no filter at all for galaxies and reflection nebulae. When it comes to light pollution, there is no comparison. The L-Extreme really does the job. The only trouble with these dual band filters, is that it is harder to get natural colour stars. Some folk take two sets of images for the same target: narrow band for the nebula, then broadband for the stars and merge the nebula of the one image with the stars of the other. Others have excellent processing skills and manage to salvage their stars.

In summary, pros and cons with all filters. I can recommend the L-Extreme as I’ve used it extensively, never used the L-Enhance or L-pro, but I’m confident they’re great too.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Stephane

Hi Steve,

My understanding is that the L-pro is a broadband filter (great for galaxies and reflection nebulae) where as much of the visible spectrum passes through as possible except some wave lengths where the heaviest light pollution resides. On the other hand, the L-enhance & L-Extreme are dual band filters isolating hydrogen and oxygen only (great for emission nebulae). The tighter the bands, the less light pollution can creep in, but the more expensive the filter.

I’ve been using the L-Extreme for most emission nebulae (except M42), and use no filter at all for galaxies and reflection nebulae. When it comes to light pollution, there is no comparison. The L-Extreme really does the job. The only trouble with these dual band filters, is that it is harder to get natural colour stars. Some folk take two sets of images for the same target: narrow band for the nebula, then broadband for the stars and merge the nebula of the one image with the stars of the other. Others have excellent processing skills and manage to salvage their stars.

In summary, pros and cons with all filters. I can recommend the L-Extreme as I’ve used it extensively, never used the L-Enhance or L-pro, but I’m confident they’re great too.

All the OSC Duoband filters do a great job , started with the ZWO ( 21nm Ha 17nm Oiii ) then the L Extreme at 7nm Ha and Oiii ( been using it for 2 years ) but does cause significant halos around the mid size to larger stars
I purchased the Antlia ALPT ( Golden filter ) 5nm Ha and Oiii back in May this year and I must say it is a vast improvement on the L Extreme , minimal halos and more detail on emission nebula ( nebulosity)
The above is based on both my Bortle 8 City suburban skies and my Bortle 3 dark skies ( with and without moon glare )
Cheers
Martin