Baader or Astronomik UHC

[nobbygon (Angus)]

Hi,

I've moved to Sydney where the light pollution is much worse than where I’ve imaged from before. Traveling to a dark site is out of the question so I’m going to have a go with filters to try to block out some background light. I’m shooting through a GSO RC8 and QHY9 mono. It will basically replace my L filter.

I want to use the filter for both nebulae and galaxies. I understand that shooting galaxies through a UHC filter will block out some light but will it be worth it in terms of the darker backgrounds? I was leaning towards the Baader as it seems to be a bit broader than the Astronomik and should lessen this effect.

Has anyone got experience with both of these filters? What can you recommend?

Also, are these filters UV/IR blocking? I saw that the Astronomik site said theirs wasn’t and would need a separate filter. Can’t find anything on the Baader though.

Cheers,
Gus.

[Max Vondel (Peter)]

The Astronomik is supposed to be the best. I have some of the Baader filters and am happy with those. A friend has the Astronomik filters and I couldn't notice much difference. But it wasn't a straight comparison so no firm conclusions. Used visually only and not for imaging. Ref the UHC and OIII only

[nobbygon (Angus)]

Thanks for the reply Peter.

From my latest research it looks like the UHC filters will be a no go. They are intended for visual use. I've been recommended the Astronomik CLS-CCD for what I am trying to do.
Has anyone got any experience with this filter or know of any good alternatives?

Cheers.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

From my latest research it looks like the UHC filters will be a no go. They are intended for visual use.

No, the Astronomik UHC and Baader UHC-S can be used for photography. Both these filters pass Ha and OIII bands for single shot colour.

I've been recommended the Astronomik CLS-CCD

This is a good filter also. The CLS has a wider bandwidth than the other two, primarily at the blue end of the spectrum.

I’m shooting through a GSO RC8 and QHY9 mono.

In that case I'd be more inclined to go narrow band for nebula with Ha and OIII filters. Maybe SII and H beta also, then do some combination with them for RGB colour.

[alocky (Andrew lockwood)]

I'm using the CLS-CCD filter, it works quite well from a semi dark site (bortle 3 or so), but I've never bothered from suburban Perth. I'll give it a go sometime out of curiosity.
Regards,
Andrew.