I recently upgraded my ZWO 7nm Ha and OIII filters with the 3nm Antlia Pro filters and could not be happier. I purchased the ZWO filters as part of a kit when I purchased the ZWO ASI1600MM 5 years ago. I have been very satisfied with the ZWO filters as the did their job for a relatively inexpensive price. However, as my processing improved my images seemed to reach a maximum detail/sharpness yet I suspect they could have been better. Since then Antlia introduced a 3nm Pro version of their narrowband and at a price that I could afford. Astrodon and Chroma existed but they were a little out of my price range. So how good are these filters? I made two YouTube videos which show the experiments and results:
Just How Good is the Antlia 3nm OIII Filter?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJZ-KWoS-KY&t=11s
3nm Antlia Narrowband Filters - Part 2) Hydrogen 3nm vs. 7nm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0r3NkIawEs&t=5s
Oxygen Comparison
I compared my new Antlia 3nm OIII Pro Imaging filter with my current ZWO 7nm OIII filter. Since I have an open position on my ZWO EFW, it was very convenient to make a good quality comparison. I hoped and expected the Antlia to perform better since it was 3nm vs. 7nm and I was not disappointed!
The experiment took place on 12-29-22 around 9 pm. I collected nine 5-minute subs of IC 410 using the ZWO OIII filter but only kept seven. I then switched to the Antlia OIII filter where I again collected nine 5-minute subs but kept eight. The temperature of the ZWO ASI1600 was set at -20 degrees C.
Some the highlights:
- smaller stars including no halos around large stars
- increased sharpness and detail
- better nebula definition
Hydrogen Comparison
I compared my new Antlia 3nm Ha Pro Imaging filter with my current ZWO 7nm Ha filter. Since I have an open position on my ZWO EFW, it was very convenient to make a good quality comparison. I hoped and expected the Antlia to perform better since it was 3nm vs. 7nm and I was not disappointed!
The experiment took place on 1-16-22 around 9 pm. I collected three 5-minute subs of IC 410 using the ZWO Ha filter. I then switched to the Antlia Ha filter where I again collected three 5-minute subs. The temperature of the ZWO ASI1600 was set at -20 degrees C. No post processing was done on any of the images.
Some the highlights:
- smaller stars
- slightly increased sharpness and detail
- better nebula definition
I plan on purchasing the 3nm Antlia SII filter in the near future.
Lastly, no processing was done on any of these images except stacking!
Fig 1 - ZWO OIII
Fig 2 - Antlia OIII
Fig 3 - ZWO Ha
Fig 4 - Antlia Ha
Just How Good is the Antlia 3nm OIII Filter?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJZ-KWoS-KY&t=11s
3nm Antlia Narrowband Filters - Part 2) Hydrogen 3nm vs. 7nm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0r3NkIawEs&t=5s
Oxygen Comparison
I compared my new Antlia 3nm OIII Pro Imaging filter with my current ZWO 7nm OIII filter. Since I have an open position on my ZWO EFW, it was very convenient to make a good quality comparison. I hoped and expected the Antlia to perform better since it was 3nm vs. 7nm and I was not disappointed!
The experiment took place on 12-29-22 around 9 pm. I collected nine 5-minute subs of IC 410 using the ZWO OIII filter but only kept seven. I then switched to the Antlia OIII filter where I again collected nine 5-minute subs but kept eight. The temperature of the ZWO ASI1600 was set at -20 degrees C.
Some the highlights:
- smaller stars including no halos around large stars
- increased sharpness and detail
- better nebula definition
Hydrogen Comparison
I compared my new Antlia 3nm Ha Pro Imaging filter with my current ZWO 7nm Ha filter. Since I have an open position on my ZWO EFW, it was very convenient to make a good quality comparison. I hoped and expected the Antlia to perform better since it was 3nm vs. 7nm and I was not disappointed!
The experiment took place on 1-16-22 around 9 pm. I collected three 5-minute subs of IC 410 using the ZWO Ha filter. I then switched to the Antlia Ha filter where I again collected three 5-minute subs. The temperature of the ZWO ASI1600 was set at -20 degrees C. No post processing was done on any of the images.
Some the highlights:
- smaller stars
- slightly increased sharpness and detail
- better nebula definition
I plan on purchasing the 3nm Antlia SII filter in the near future.
Lastly, no processing was done on any of these images except stacking!
Fig 1 - ZWO OIII
Fig 2 - Antlia OIII
Fig 3 - ZWO Ha
Fig 4 - Antlia Ha
