Hi All just purchased a radian raptor to try out some DSO’s for the first time. I only have some milky way experience at this point. I’ve always used a natural light light pollution filter for my night shots but live in an area where I shoot in a bortle 3 maybe up to bortle 5. The raptor takes a 2” filter. Wondering if you would recommend to use filters for DSO in this class bortle, if so what do you recommend getting? I get buy nice or buy twice but almost fell over when I saw the opt triad quad-band narrowband filter cost. It’s more than my camera and it’s modification combined. I’m getting a full spectrum mod done on a canon 6D. I don’t mind spending extra for quality but I’m not shooting in a city. Curious about peoples opinions where to start. THANK YOU!
Filter Recommendations?
Hi Brett,
I image from a bortle 6 sky and I have experience with two Light pollution filters. The Lumicon Deep Sky and the Baader Neodymium Moon and Skyglow. I bought the Baader Neodymium recently and I was surprised by how light it is compared to the Lumicon Deep Sky. It has some cut on the green part of the spectrum
So if you are imaging from a site where the light pollution is not too strong, it may be an options to consider. Anyway I am not a DSLR expert but from a Bortle 3 I would probably imagine without a light pollution filter.
I image from a bortle 6 sky and I have experience with two Light pollution filters. The Lumicon Deep Sky and the Baader Neodymium Moon and Skyglow. I bought the Baader Neodymium recently and I was surprised by how light it is compared to the Lumicon Deep Sky. It has some cut on the green part of the spectrum
So if you are imaging from a site where the light pollution is not too strong, it may be an options to consider. Anyway I am not a DSLR expert but from a Bortle 3 I would probably imagine without a light pollution filter.
Concise
Hi Brett,
I was recently in touch with Astronomik's support about their CLS filter: a Bortle 4 is already in the range, where the effect of the CLS is minuscule. If you have Bortle 4 or even 3, you may safely go without any light pollution filter.
Fortunately, I have a Bortle 4 here and actually I am complaining more about the Moonlight than light pollution.
CS!
Björn
I was recently in touch with Astronomik's support about their CLS filter: a Bortle 4 is already in the range, where the effect of the CLS is minuscule. If you have Bortle 4 or even 3, you may safely go without any light pollution filter.
Fortunately, I have a Bortle 4 here and actually I am complaining more about the Moonlight than light pollution.
CS!
Björn
Helpful Insightful Respectful Concise
Bortle 3 to Bortle 4, do not bother. Above that Optolong L-PRO.
Cheerio
Cheerio
Chroma Lo Glow is a great one I definitely recommend.
I checked the cost out and I am impressed they can command such a price.
All great stuff! Going to consider all this info. Also I should mention I’m not just considering light pollution but filters that may help bring out more in nebula and DSO shots. In my backyard it’s a bortle 5.
You really shouldn't be using a light pollution filter in a Bortle Class 4 or lower. I have a colleague at my astronomy club who gets great results without a LP filter even in Bortle class 5 by planning his targets so he only images when they are significantly above the horizon. LP filters cut out a ton of the visible spectrum. That means you're cutting out LP, but also a ton of broadband emissions. This matters a great deal if your goal is to bring out color and even faint non emission detail. Most emission nebulae, even ones such as the Lagoon which are primarily H-alpha have very significant reflection components. You retain and increase contrast in the primary emissions (H-alpha, OIII, and SII) but lose a lot of broadband color depth and range when you go after these with a LP filter.
I don't want to be too negative on LP filters. They are the only option of getting meaningful results from Bortle class 6 and above areas. But if you're driving to a dark site or are lucky enough to live in areas where the skies are dark enough, shoot without one for the best results. Given what you've written, especially if you are so lucky as to have access to a Class 3 site, I'd say don't bother!
I don't want to be too negative on LP filters. They are the only option of getting meaningful results from Bortle class 6 and above areas. But if you're driving to a dark site or are lucky enough to live in areas where the skies are dark enough, shoot without one for the best results. Given what you've written, especially if you are so lucky as to have access to a Class 3 site, I'd say don't bother!
Helpful Respectful Engaging Supportive
You really shouldn't be using a light pollution filter in a Bortle Class 4 or lower. I have a colleague at my astronomy club who gets great results without a LP filter even in Bortle class 5 by planning his targets so he only images when they are significantly above the horizon. LP filters cut out a ton of the visible spectrum. That means you're cutting out LP, but also a ton of broadband emissions. This matters a great deal if your goal is to bring out color and even faint non emission detail. Most emission nebulae, even ones such as the Lagoon which are primarily H-alpha have very significant reflection components. You retain and increase contrast in the primary emissions (H-alpha, OIII, and SII) but lose a lot of broadband color depth and range when you go after these with a LP filter.
I don't want to be too negative on LP filters. They are the only option of getting meaningful results from Bortle class 6 and above areas. But if you're driving to a dark site or are lucky enough to live in areas where the skies are dark enough, shoot without one for the best results. Given what you've written, especially if you are so lucky as to have access to a Class 3 site, I'd say don't bother!
THANK YOU! Probably talking me off the ledge and saving me money that I could spend on something else that makes more sense. I checked out your images very impressive and gets me super excited. What software are you using for processing?
I agree with Arun. I'm under Bortle 5 skies and I am quite happy. The only things you need to know are which parts of your local sky dome to avoid imaging, learn how to properly use gradient removal tools like PixInsight's Automatic Background Extraction or Dynamic Background Extraction, and how to make proper flats of course!
Well Written Concise