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Filter or Filter Set suggestions (2")

Started by DannyMcO, 07/14/2014 04:48PM
Posted 07/14/2014 04:48PM | Edited 07/14/2014 05:02PM Opening Post
Would appreciate any suggestions for a filter set for a beginner

Eyepieces already owned are ES 5.5mm & 14mm (100's) and 18mm & 30mm (82's), as well as an ES 2x focal extender; all are 2"
Scope is a 305mm aperture, 1500mm f/l, f/4.92 Skywatcher Dobsonian

Supermoon was nice viewing (though had to use the 1.25" 25mm and 10mm Plossls that came with the scope) but definitely washing out (brightness); I am on the border between NYC's light pollution and darker skies (anything to the East has me looking towards city glow, but it's darker towards other directions).

Would like (in order) enhanced planetary and/or lunar, enhanced DSOs/nebulae; these are more for viewing than astrographs.

Have already shot through the budget by multiples on eyepieces, so would like to know about good value eyepieces versus top-of-the-line.

Any suggestions?

Dan Ogden
12" Skywatcher Dobsonian, 1500mm f/l, f/4.92
ES 82's: 30mm, 18mm
ES 100's: 14mm, 5.5mm
ES 2x focal extender

Dan Ogden
12" Skywatcher Dob f/l 1500mm, f/4.92
ES 82: 30mm, 18mm
ES 100: 14mm, 5.5mm
ES 2x Focal Extender
OCD
Posted 07/14/2014 08:59PM #1
The very best filter you can buy, if you can only have one is the Astronomik or Lumicon Ultra High Contrast. I say this because it is an "all-rounder" filter. It will work on many types of nebulae as well as function as a primary light pollution cutter. If you are intending to make a set, I would go as follows (price not considered yet)

UHC
OIII
Variable Polarizer
Blue
Dark Blue
LPR or SkyGlow
H-Beta
Red
Yellow and Green
(not listing in priority a Contrast Booster or Semi-apo-style filters)

The filter you will use most will be based on the object you will look at most OR type of object you will look at the most. So if you're totally obsessed with planetary nebulae study, an OIII or UHC would be your most important filter and should be your top priority to acquire. And yes, the age-old skool law DOES apply here; you really do get what you pay for. Lumincon, TeleVue, Astronomik and most of the Meade and Orion filters from Japanese manufacturers are going to be the most pure in performance and durability. I teamed-up my Kson OIII to a Lumicon and a DGM. The Lumicon had the best view of M57 in my 18-inch Galaxy Optics mirror...No contest no matter the eyepiece being used.
The others were close, but I did see a difference. If you are just starting out, you would not see the differences.

I didn't list the standard and advanced colored filter sets high on the bar because up here , half the time the planets are WAY too low in the sky to even care about looking at. Mars and Saturn are so low in Spokane, WA, they cannot escape horizon dust and skyglow. So I won't even be looking at them the rest of the year. I listed the H-beta as low on the totem too because it is limited to a select few deep sky objects. And trying to use it on other objects will not work.

And lastly, it is NOT necessary to collect all one billion filters out there. A good 4-color set and a nebular style filter will probably fit your bill for years; especially if this is for strict visual applications.

All the best,

Just a few thoughts:

8) FS-152SV sitting in the office
grin Japanes super lucky zen observatory garden
:S Meade ETX-90 finder scope position
shocked Hino Optical Mizar 120SL observatory model
:C SR-4mm eyepiece with a 3x barlow in a 60mm refractor
8O Zeiss Victory 7x42 SFs
wink Having over 135 vintage oculars to play with
smile My life surrounded by wonderful friends and impeccable optics