IDAS LPS & M42, a quick comparison

Well, it has been a while since I've had a clear night to enjoy, and of course, an "almost" Full Moon was out to make things even worst, as my LP is already a problem.

I've had this IDAS LPS filter from my friend Lance Frederick that he kindly let me keep for a while, until testing was possible, and decided to give it a try... (always been interested in "trying" this myself)

These 2 images are far from good, but show quite a difference in the contrast & the background color, while keeping the object detail, for the short exposures that these shots have... (both images are 30x30sec exposures)

Both taken with a WO-66SD, with an Atik .5 f/r, mounted on top of the LX-200GPS.

All in all, quite an interesting experiment... (I might end up buying a 1.25" version of it for the Orion Starshoot)


Clear skies! 8)


NOTE:
I can't wait to try this stuff in Dark Skies... 8)

Attached Image:

Wow. That is quite a dramatic difference. Did you try to achieve the best contrast and color balance possible for each image, or did you try to process them exactly the same?

Jim

Very interesting Ivan,the LPS one looks sharper too(maybe focus)
I use the IDAS LPS an can see a huge increase in dynamic range which makes processing easier.
Also a lot less gradients to deal with as well and a must have when imaging in light polluted skies I think.

BIG difference! It looks like the LPS does the trick.

Ivan,
One of the most helpful posts I've ever read. Thank you. And now I must go and totally reprioritize my next purchase list.
Larry

Ivan
Very helpful indeed. I use an IDAS LPS except when doing HA and your test confirmed there's no reason to stop doing so...at least until I become much better at processing gradients.

Rob Mackie