ZWO ASI533MC Pro - UR/IR blocking filter needed? - Forums

Topic starter

Apr 14, 2022

Hi guys!

I'm sorry for this newbie question, but I'm a little confused - is it necessary to use a UR / IR blocking filter with an OSC camera like ZWO ASI533MC Pro??

If I understand correctly, a dual narrowband filter like L-extreme will come in handy for shooting nebulae in places with high light pollution, but what about shooting galaxies at Bortle scale 4? No filter or is a UR / IR blocking filter needed?

Thank you so much!

Regards
Jan

Well Written Respectful Engaging

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 14, 2022

It is very much needed.

Ron Clanton

Apr 14, 2022

Yes, I have that camera and use the IR/UV filter as a default. When I'm imaging emission nebulae, I use an Optolong L-eNhance filter… which is awesome!

Ron

Dale Penkala

Apr 14, 2022 · Edited: Apr 14, 2022

If you want to do a light pollution/broadband filter the Optolong L-Pro works great for your broadband targets. If you use this filter I do not believe you need to use the UV/IR cut filter. Same with the L-eHance and L-extreme filters.

Dale

Padraic Moran

Apr 14, 2022

Interesting question and interesting answers, but given that the OP is in B4 skies with little LP, can anyone explain WHY the UV/IR is recommended? I have Bortle 2 skies (when not covered in cloud) and have just got a 533MCP so would be interested in the answer too.

As an example, the Baader Planetarium specification for their UV/IR Cut filter states that the UV/IR cut filter band pass is 420nm-680nm. The IMX533MC sensor does seem to have some blue response below 420nm, and a significant red response (and some blue/green) above 680nm. Will this cause bloated stars in blue and red even without light pollution?

IMX533MC spectral response

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Ron Clanton

Apr 14, 2022 · Edited: Apr 14, 2022

I live in Bortle 5 skies and can tell the difference using/not using the IV/UR cut filter. I'm certainly not an expert, but I figure the filter are relatively cheap and "do no harm"… so why not? BTW… I don't use both filters at the same time.

Ron

Dale Penkala

Apr 14, 2022 · Edited: Apr 14, 2022

Padraic Moran:
Interesting question and interesting answers, but given that the OP is in B4 skies with little LP, can anyone explain WHY the UV/IR is recommended? I have Bortle 2 skies (when not covered in cloud) and have just got a 533MCP so would be interested in the answer too.

As an example, the Baader Planetarium specification for their UV/IR Cut filter states that the UV/IR cut filter band pass is 420nm-680nm. The IMX533MC sensor does seem to have some blue response below 420nm, and a significant red response (and some blue/green) above 680nm. Will this cause bloated stars in blue and red even without light pollution?

IMX533MC spectral response

I don’t have a lot of background in this area but the “Bloated Stars” is what the UV/IR cut filter was always recommended to me for. I’ve always tried to follow that rule so I’m just passing this on. Again I don’t have the technical background to answer this better, sorry!

Dale

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 15, 2022

The reason for having a UV/IR cut filter in a colour sensor are twofold: one is to avoid IR "pollution" of the colour response of the G/B channels which would make impossible to properly colour calibrate any broadband image and secondly to avoid IR bloating of the images when used with refractors not corrected in the IR (a lot of of them aren't).

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Dale Penkala

Apr 15, 2022

andrea tasselli:
The reason for having a UV/IR cut filter in a colour sensor are twofold: one is to avoid IR "pollution" of the colour response of the G/B channels which would make impossible to properly colour calibrate any broadband image and secondly to avoid IR bloating of the images when used with refractors not corrected in the IR (a lot of of them aren't).

Lets clarify a couple things Andrea, not just for me but also @Jan Klíma does this only apply to refractors or does this also apply to reflectors? How about SCT’s? My understanding is the UV/IR Cut filters are mainly for refractors, not so much for reflectors. Again this is only my understanding.

Dale

Jan Klíma

Topic starter

Apr 15, 2022

Ron Clanton:
Yes, I have that camera and use the IR/UV filter as a default. When I'm imaging emission nebulae, I use an Optolong L-eNhance filter... which is awesome!

Ron

Thank you Ron! I will buy it then! Wonderful weekend!

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 15, 2022 · Edited: Apr 15, 2022

It applies to everything. I have UV/IR cut, in one form or another, on all my optics, reflective or refractive. Star bloat or IR halos are, however, a feature of only refractors (and not all of them either) and some very specialised catadioptric optics.

Jan Klíma

Topic starter

Apr 15, 2022

andrea tasselli:
The reason for having a UV/IR cut filter in a colour sensor are twofold: one is to avoid IR "pollution" of the colour response of the G/B channels which would make impossible to properly colour calibrate any broadband image and secondly to avoid IR bloating of the images when used with refractors not corrected in the IR (a lot of of them aren't).

Thank you Andrea! Agree. I will buy it then! Wonderful weekend!

Clavius

Apr 15, 2022

Hi …. If you don't want bloated stars , yes. It's very useful

Dale Penkala

Apr 15, 2022

andrea tasselli:
It applies to everything. I have UV/IR cut, in one form or another, on all my optics, reflective or refractive. Star bloat or IR halos are, however, a feature of only refractors (and not all of tem either) and some very specialised catadioptric optics.

I have all my imaging configurations covered as well but was under the impression that it really apply’s to refractor’s. Glad thats cleared up!

Dale

Padraic Moran

Apr 15, 2022

Thanks all for this info. Will install a UV/IR on the 533 at the next outing.

Well Written

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