I just received a quote from Chroma for some Ha, S2, and O3 filters designed for narrowband. Before I plunk down $5k, can anyone share their experience with these filters on a fast scope like the Epsilon 160?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
Chroma narrowband for f/3 telescopes
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I went through this recently when I got my 160. I ended up with the Baader f3 50mm unmounted SHO set. ~1200 vs 5k. They are 3.5/4/4nm bandpass. At first I was really concerned about filter accuracy and quality, but they've been good so far. (in the midst of a spectrometer setup to actually check them)
5k is definitely a lot. I have a 8nm Chroma set I use for my TOA-130, but that's much cheaper and I picked them up in trade.
I hear great things about the Astronomik MAX hfr series lately as well.
tough decision, but personally, i'd put that 5k towards my next mount since the 160 with the baader filters/asi6200 seems to be going well.
5k is definitely a lot. I have a 8nm Chroma set I use for my TOA-130, but that's much cheaper and I picked them up in trade.
I hear great things about the Astronomik MAX hfr series lately as well.
tough decision, but personally, i'd put that 5k towards my next mount since the 160 with the baader filters/asi6200 seems to be going well.
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I wouldn't overlook Antlia as well. They are very good filters. Quite a few of us use them with the Nexus on our newts, making them F/3. I unfortunately don't have anything from the antlia and F/3 to show off in my gallery, I just swapped cam setups…. But if you give me time I can show ya. Weather just hasn't been cooperating.
Just search Nexus CC combined with Antlia 3nm. There's plenty.
Just search Nexus CC combined with Antlia 3nm. There's plenty.
I have Chroma 3nm SHO filters on my F/7 refractor, they are awesome. For the Epsilon 160ED I bought Astronomik MaxFR 6nm SHO and they are great on that scope. Much cheaper than Chroma, no halos, you will save a ton of money and they are guaranteed to work with this fast focal ratio. If you still want to get Chroma, I would get the version optimized for fast focal ratios, should be fine on the Epsilon (actually I am sure they are great)
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I use the Atronomik 2" 6nm MaxFR for Ha and SII. I image from Bortle 7 skies and need a 2" 3nm OIII to obtain good S/N. I use the Chroma F3 version. I have been very pleased with all. Absolutely no halos. I paid $700+ for the Chromafrom Woodland Hills. Of course all the filters are not parfocal. I mainly image with a FSQ106ED at F3.64.
Lynn K.
Lynn K.
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Lynn K:
Of course all the filters are not parfocal.
has anyone actually gotten a completely parfocal set?
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm using Astronomik filters, including the max fr for narrowband. My issue is mostly with the lrgb Astronomiks. I don't want to mix filter thickness so I would have to get a complete set of Chroma. The Astronomiks are 1mm and the Chroma are 3mm thick.
Dan
Dan
I wouldn't overlook Antlia as well. They are very good filters. Quite a few of us use them with the Nexus on our newts, making them F/3. I unfortunately don't have anything from the antlia and F/3 to show off in my gallery, I just swapped cam setups.... But if you give me time I can show ya. Weather just hasn't been cooperating.
Just search Nexus CC combined with Antlia 3nm. There's plenty.
I second this. I started using Antlia after new years and have been using them with F/2.8 and F/2 lenses wide open. Not for stars mind you, but the nebula looks very good so far and I'm really geared up to the next season.
I'm using the Chroma 3nm on my Epsilon (f/3.3). You can order them explicitly for the f-ratio of your optics from them, which I would recommend. If you use generic 3nm filters with fast optics you will have a significant loss of signal at f/3 - this will not be readily apparent in the subs unless you do a detailed analysis of the SNR you're getting. That said, I also have 6nm Astronomik MaxFR (when I got the Chromas, those were not yet available) - they are also very good, halo free and you can ask Astronomik to pick suitable ones for your f/ratio(s). They're also way cheaper.
What are your problems with the LRGB Astronomiks? The "deep-sky" set has been very good for me in several image trains.
What are your problems with the LRGB Astronomiks? The "deep-sky" set has been very good for me in several image trains.
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