Stepping into mono : the filter maze

Equipment Filters Buying Advice
6 replies•284 views
patrice_so avatar
patrice_so avatar
Good evening fellow astronomers

I am currently trying to sort out my future mono setup, that will be organized around a 200/800mm carbon newtonian, a IMX571 mono sensor (ASI2600MM or touptek equivalent), and some 36mm filters. This will break the bank so I need to be carefull. No Astrondon here. 

Afters multiple evenings of pixel peeping on astrobin and cloudynight forums readings, I must confess that I am lost. 

Considering the LRGB filters, I hesitate between the 
- baader CMOS optimize set - 323 EUR
- optolong lrgb set - 226 EUR
- ZWO lrgb set - 199  USD (but quite expensive to buy in Europe apparently)

I tend to lean toward the baader, as they appear to have less halos on what I see. 

Regarding the SHO set, I tend to consider 
- ANTLIA 7nm set for 478 EUR

If optolong is an option for the whole set, I could go for the full set LRGB + SHO 6.5nm for 646 EUR. 

Any hint here will be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks and clear skies, 

Patrice
Charles Tremblay-Darveau avatar
Charles Tremblay-Darveau avatar
I can recommend the antlia 3nm. You will probably never need to upgrade and they are not too crazy expensive. For the LRGB stick with the same vendor, it will mitigate focus shift issues.
Observatório Astrográfico do Boqueirão avatar
Observatório Astrográfico do Boqueirão avatar
Hello Patrice,

I suggest to go with the Antlia filters for SHO mainly because because they are halos free, the FWHM is spot on in the graphs and they are 2mm thick.
For the LRGB go with the Baader, they are also 2mm thick, quite good regarding the LRGB sets (I have one CMOS Optimized) and halos free also, beside the good price they sell it. Insted of the Baader I could say Optolong, but the tickness comparing to the Antlia one, is much smaller 1.85mm, which is not parafocal with the Antlia, if you care for that. If not go with the Optolong LRGB insted of the Baader.

But this is just my opinion..

Regards,

Cesar
Helpful
Dan H. M. avatar
Dan H. M. avatar
What kind of LP are you going to be dealing with? If it’s on the less severe side I’d strongly consider Astronomik 6nm filters. Their filters are high quality and their customer support is superb.
Well Written Concise
patrice_so avatar
patrice_so avatar
Thanks for your views. That is much appreciated. 

I have indeed limited LP, i.e. bortle 4-5. 

I am happy to read that the Astronomik gained their reputation back. I saw many negative comments during my research.

I also realize that the LRGB Optolong are indeed advertised 2mm thick, which would match the Antalia. But also that I could have a LRGB SHO set for 642 EUR, which is indeed an attractive option…
Dan H. M. avatar
Dan H. M. avatar
At Bortle 4-5 I would go with Astronomik. The Baaders I’ve tried have all had problems with halos.
Well Written
Bill McLaughlin avatar
Bill McLaughlin avatar
Honestly, none of the above.

Better filters are costly but worth it and can be used with many cameras for years.  Chroma or Astro-Don (if you can find them) or maybe Astronomik.

I don't need to be screwing around with halos and such.
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