Filter Wheel Recommendations for a DMK - Page 3

RB (Andrew) · #41 27-12-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

I'd say the 'using' of one would serve one well in an appraisal?

I'm just waiting for some free time and clear weather.
As I said I haven't used mine yet but so far I like the look and feel of the Orion F.W.
The Astronomiks filters look great too.

matt · #42 27-12-2007, 11:01 PM

Some clear weather would definitely be a good start, Andrew. For all of us.

Yes, the Astronomiks are certainly a very nice filter. As the old truism goes, you do tend to get what you pay for.

I hope the filter wheel works nicely for you.

matt · #43 28-12-2007, 12:09 PM

BTW...I received an overnight e-mail from Adirondack informing me they've (finally) got some Atik manual filter wheels in stock.

Now would be the time to place an order

Matty P (Matt) · #44 28-12-2007, 12:13 PM

Hi Matt,

How much do they cost in Australian dollars?

matt · #45 28-12-2007, 12:15 PM

With 6-10 day USPS postage and insurance it works out to about $250AUS to your door.

Matty P (Matt) · #46 28-12-2007, 12:17 PM

Great news Matt, thanks for the heads up.

Are you going to order one?

From Bintel it is only an extra $30 for the Orion FW.

matt · #47 28-12-2007, 12:18 PM

Already done...

As far as my research has gone (on the DMK users website, Cloudy Nights etc) it's about the best option there is for the money, before stepping up to something more full-on.

I am just after something simple and easy to use which allows me to try my hand at RGB imaging without busting the bank.

If it turns out to be not for me, I can try a different path without feeling like I've invested too much in the process.

If you're happy to spend the additional $30 for the Orion FW...go for it! That's your call.

Matty P (Matt) · #48 28-12-2007, 12:43 PM

Why do all my hobbies have to be so expensive?

peter_4059 (Peter) · #49 28-12-2007, 05:38 PM

Matty,

You could save $50 and get the ScopeTeknix and a further $150 by getting Baader LRGB rather than Astronomiks. With the filters I suspect you get what you pay for but the wheel is very well made.

In any case you are probably going to have to wait 3 months for the clouds to clear before you get to try them out like me.

Peter

Matty P (Matt) · #50 28-12-2007, 06:24 PM

Peter,

I am not really fussed about which filter wheel I get, I think the most important bit is what type of filters I get.

I'm not sure if the Baader LRGB filters block IR like the Astronomiks do. With filters you pay for what you get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_4059

In any case you are probably going to have to wait 3 months for the clouds to clear before you get to try them out like me.

Well, I have just heard that my new camera (DMK) is in the post. Whoops.... hopefully the Astronomy Gods didn't hear that.

I'm sure once the camera arrives the clouds will start rolling in.

Matt

peter_4059 (Peter) · #51 28-12-2007, 10:15 PM

I agree Matt. The Astronomiks have build in IR block. You have to use an IR block with the Baaders to get the same effect but they are half the price - as you say you get what you pay for. Looking forward to seeing some results. Good luck. Peter

netwolf · #52 28-12-2007, 10:15 PM

T&A in Adelaide had the Atik listed on there site for 199, some time back. If they don't have stock, you could ask Bintel to price match.

Alternatively a good option is a SBig CFW-8A with parfocal filters, they often turn up on Amart for about 400-500USD. This is a motorized filter wheel.

Regards
Fahim

matt · #53 28-12-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_4059

You have to use an IR block with the Baaders to get the same effect but they are half the price

And therein lies the rub.

You're losing too much light.

The light throughput with the Astronomiks is worth the $$$...along with them being parfocal and having IR block built-in.

peter_4059 (Peter) · #54 28-12-2007, 11:20 PM

Yeah the Astronomiks claim close to 100% transmission whereas the Baaders are about 85%. I'm told the Baader are also parfocal but haven't had the chance to check this out yet. If you want to compare the curves I found them here:

http://www.baader-planetarium.de/zub...farbfilter.htm

http://www.astronomik.com/english/eng_rgbt2.html

iceman (Mike) · #55 28-12-2007, 11:28 PM

I started with the baader, and sold them after 2 weeks.. they just weren't good enough for hi-res planetary imaging.

The transmission was too low, especially for red. I now have the astronomiks and they're heaps better. I wish i'd bought them first up.

Parfocal claims are good, but it doesn't mean you won't need to focus between channels. At long focal lengths, and in varying seeing, you sometimes still need to focus between channels - even if ever so slightly. You want a sharp image in every channel, not just the one you start with.

davidpretorius · #56 28-12-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I started with the baader, and sold them after 2 weeks.. they just weren't good enough for hi-res planetary imaging.

The transmission was too low, especially for red. I now have the astronomiks and they're heaps better. I wish i'd bought them first up.

Parfocal claims are good, but it doesn't mean you won't need to focus between channels. At long focal lengths, and in varying seeing, you sometimes still need to focus between channels - even if ever so slightly. You want a sharp image in every channel, not just the one you start with.

Matty P,

well worth following along the lines of Mike, Paul & Bird. These guys have done all the "hard work" for the rest of us to follow.

Their results speak for themselves.

Keep up the questions and always be prepared to listen, and most of all try and do some experimenting yourself. This is a hobby that you cant "buy" great images or get others to do all the work for you.

Jupiter season starts soon and look forward to seeing some images from you

Stephen65 · #57 29-12-2007, 01:20 AM

I've got the Astronomik LRGB set on order from OPT.

Matty P (Matt) · #58 01-01-2008, 06:07 PM

Hi guys,

Sorry I haven't been able to reply because I've been away for the past few days.

I agree with everyone, most knowledge and skills in astrophotography are self taught but a few questions here and there can really help in a situation when you have "NO CLUE" what to do and is probably what makes this hobby so fun and interesting.

With the Astronomik RGB filters.

When using the filters and because they block IR, do I need to make a luminance layer? Sorry if it is off topic and if it doesn't make sence.

Matt

Alchemy (Clive) · #59 01-01-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty P

Hi guys,

With the Astronomik RGB filters.

When using the filters and because they block IR, do I need to make a luminance layer? Sorry if it is off topic and if it doesn't make sence.

Matt

cant see why you MUST have a luminance layer,, RGB should work, a lot of people do say however a lot of detail is contained in the luminance layer, the ir factor is fairly irrelevant i would have thought, as with all my imaging i remove it.

davidpretorius · #60 01-01-2008, 07:24 PM

http://damianpeach.com/marscolour.htm
Have a little read above.

I would stick to RGB......LRGB works ok for Jupiter where you may be pressed for time and limited amounts of images you can capture.......You can say capture maybe 15 seconds of each RGB and then a longer L channel...........but from experience, RGB for Jupiter still seems to be the way to go.