Filter wheel for OSC? - Forums

Topic starter

Jun 25, 2023

Hi All.

I’m wondering if anyone is using an EFW with a OSC camera? I have an ASI533MC Pro and use the Optolong L-enhance for nebulae and then the Astronomik L3 for broadband targets (both 1.25” versions). I had to swap the filter last night and it occurred to me that it’s quite a dodgy thing to be doing in the dark as I currently screw the filter into the adapter right in front of the camera sensor so it means removing the camera from the focuser, unscrewing the filter, screwing the other one in and then re-attaching the camera.

Is this EFW from ZWO worth the cost:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-accessories/zwo-mini-electronic-filter-wheel-efw-5-x-125-or-5-x-31mm.html

I’m using the ASIAir Plus so I’m already in the ZWO ecosystem.

One advantage I thought was that it would make it easier to capture stars using the L3 filter to use with images shot through the L-enhance. then I would get more accurate star colour.

I also thought about adding a completely blank filter in one of the slots (if such a thing exists) so that I could do dark flats more easily.

I’ve also done a little research about SII filters for OSC cameras to add to the L-enhance data but the general feeling online is that this isn’t worth it.

Are there any other considerations?

TIA.

Engaging

Robert Khoury

Jun 25, 2023

For my OSC I bought a filter drawer and an additional holder. I placed my two filters onto the holders and when I needed to swap it was as simple as swapping out the drawers. Agena Astro sells a holder case to hold the extra holder when not in use. Hope this helps

Helpful Concise

Craig Dixon

Topic starter

Jun 25, 2023

As far as I understand, the drawers are for 2” filters only

First_Age_of_Sand

Jun 25, 2023

It should work out just fine. If you're unscrewing your camera to replace a filter you run the risk of getting your field rotation being slightly askew. I say go for the filter wheel. I have the 8 position on with all broad/narrowband filters as well as a dark filter which makes taking darks sooooo convenient. I also have the 2" filter drawer on my redcat with the l-extreme filter. It works, but it has also fallen out in the dark a few times and if you don't get it in all the way it leaks light. Besides, the filter wheel control on the asi is incredibly easy.

Helpful Engaging

Jeff Reitzel

Jun 25, 2023 · Edited: Jun 25, 2023

I use a 5 position 2 inch wheel with my QHY410C. I have UV/IR, L-Pro, L-Ultimate, Triad Ultra, and Dark filters filling the slots. Best move I ever made for automated imaging running a couple rigs. Especially since I already had the filters acquired over several years. One rig with a mono cam and one with the OSC cam is a normal imaging night for me now.
CS,
Jeff

Helpful

pterodattilo

Jun 25, 2023

I bought the 2" ZWO filter wheel for my ASI 071MC Pro and it was a game changer for me because now I can automate a session with different subjects while previously I had to

1. pick homogeneous subjects given a certain filter (for example, you mount a CLS and then you a limited to galaxies, globular clusters and so on)
2. accept that a part of the night won't be "used" to take frames

Now I'm completely free, for example, in these days I'm starting imaging a galaxy using the Antlia triband RGB then I switch to The L-Pro Ultimate for an HII region and then back to Antlia for a reflection nebula.

Helpful Engaging

Robert Khoury

Jun 25, 2023

Craig Dixon:
As far as I understand, the drawers are for 2” filters only

Ah i missed that detail in your, yes filter would technically work and at 1.25 you could get the 5 position wheel.

Tom Boyd

Jun 25, 2023

I use a 5 position, 2" ASI wheel with my 2600mc. I like the convenience the filter wheel offers.

My filter set includes: Optolong clear focusing filter, Optolong L-Pro, Askar D1, and an Askar D2.

Well Written Concise

Craig Dixon

Topic starter

Jun 25, 2023

Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like this will be a good move for me.m I currently have the Optolong L-enhance and the Astronomik L3. Are there any other filters I should consider to fill the slots?

the dark filter looks convenient but I use a library of master darks and have just learned that I can do the same for dark flats so I shouldn’t have a need for a dark filter.

The Triad Ultra looks good but I’m not sure there would be an advantage to using this over the L-enhance.

Blue

Jun 25, 2023 · Edited: Jun 25, 2023

I am using a 7 X 36mm wheel with my ASI2600MC. I actually have a 2600MC and a 2600MM. I bought the filter wheel when I was planning the move to mono, buying the hardware and filters over time before I bought the MM camera. I ended up using a HA and an Oiii filter with my MC camera, with a clear glass filter in place of a luminance to keep the spacing the same. WHen I bought the MM cam I put the full LRGB set in with the HA and Oiii and bought an Sii.

After I bought the MM camera, I ended up buying a second filter wheel and OAG and put the clear glass filter in that so that my two cameras are as good as identical for spacing if/when I swap them between scopes, eventually I will buy a second MM and filters and sell the OSC camera.

Doug Crowe

Jun 25, 2023

Craig Dixon:
As far as I understand, the drawers are for 2” filters only

Zwo has a 2 inch to 1.25 adapter for their filter drawers. I have 4 of them.

Well Written

Tim Eriksen

Jun 26, 2023 · Edited: Jun 27, 2023

I use a 5x1.25 efw with my asi533mc pro

Georg N. Nyman

Jun 26, 2023

Filter wheel for OSC camera is working very fine. I am usind L-extreme, IDAS-NBZ and Lumicon DS - if I want to see which one is best for a certain target, I can mount them into my 2" filter wheel and do it from my living room with no walking in the dark etc.
A suggestion - use those filters, which have same thinkness, it helps with AF at filter change and speeds it up..

CS
Georg

Chase Newtson

Jun 26, 2023 · Edited: Jun 26, 2023

I thought about this as well, for my OSC. If you have the cash, I don't see why not for the convenience if you're changing filters often in a night. And if you ever go mono, you have one part ready to go.

I went the filter drawer route (I got the drawer free) and bought the cases from Agena Astro for much less than a filter wheel. For me, changing out the filters is a very quick process, walk out, pull and store, and then insert the new. Quick refocus and you're good.

I use: L-Ultimate, L-Pro and UV/IR

But a quick and dirty look at buying new for a drawer and extra holder and storage/adapters to hold two 1.25" filters:
Filter Drawer - $79
Extra Holder ($35) - $35
2x 2"-1.25" Adapters ($17) - $34
2x Buckeye Storage ($14) - $28

This is already up to $176, comparing to $300 for the ZWO 1.25" 8-position Wheel or $200 for the 1.25" 5-position wheel.

Helpful Engaging

Blue

Jun 27, 2023

An advantage to a filter wheel over a drawer (Cost being the obvious disadvantage) is that you are likely to introduce new dust bunnies every time you pull out the drawer so flats taken at the time of imaging become more valuable.

With my filter wheel I generally shoot new flats if there are obvious new dust bunnies without having pulled things apart (Rare) I rotate the camera angle on my newt (The refractor seems to tolerate this better) or I take the image train apart and it leads to new dust bunnies.

Aris Pope

Jun 27, 2023

Craig Dixon:
Hi All.

I’m wondering if anyone is using an EFW with a OSC camera? I have an ASI533MC Pro and use the Optolong L-enhance for nebulae and then the Astronomik L3 for broadband targets (both 1.25” versions). I had to swap the filter last night and it occurred to me that it’s quite a dodgy thing to be doing in the dark as I currently screw the filter into the adapter right in front of the camera sensor so it means removing the camera from the focuser, unscrewing the filter, screwing the other one in and then re-attaching the camera.

Is this EFW from ZWO worth the cost:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-accessories/zwo-mini-electronic-filter-wheel-efw-5-x-125-or-5-x-31mm.html

I’m using the ASIAir Plus so I’m already in the ZWO ecosystem.

One advantage I thought was that it would make it easier to capture stars using the L3 filter to use with images shot through the L-enhance. then I would get more accurate star colour.

I also thought about adding a completely blank filter in one of the slots (if such a thing exists) so that I could do dark flats more easily.

I’ve also done a little research about SII filters for OSC cameras to add to the L-enhance data but the general feeling online is that this isn’t worth it.

Are there any other considerations?

TIA.

I use the five position 2" ZWO EFW with my 294MC Pro. It really comes in handy when doing narrowband and then you want to switch over and get RGB Stars. Also comes in handy when you want to get multiple targets in one night. I have four filters so it really is the safer route also. Nothing like fiddling around with filters in the middle of the dark at a dark site. It's very easy to drop a filter or to knock your polar alignment off. You will really come to appreciate it in the winter time when you're outside and your fingers are frozen. I have the Antlia ALP-T High Speed, Optolong L-Pro, Optolong UV-IR Cut and a UHC filter. Will soon add either Antlia ALP-T High Speed (Hb-Siii) or the regular Antlia ALP-T for my slower SCT.

Helpful Engaging

Craig Dixon

Topic starter

Jun 27, 2023

Thanks for everyone's responses. It sounds like the mini EFW would be an ideal upgrade so I'll add it to my wish list. I currently have the Astronomik L3 and Optolong L-enhance. What other filters are recommended that might compliment what I already have?

Also, what's the general procedure for shooting with a dual narrowband filter and then using an IR/UV Cut filter to shoot just the stars? I've never actually done this before.

I'm in Bortle 4/5 with a Skywatcher 72ED doublet refractor and a Skywatcher 190MN (Mask Newt) if that makes a difference.

Well Written Respectful Engaging

Tommy Blomqvist

Jun 27, 2023

I am using a ZWO mini EFW with 1,25" filters with my ASI533MC. This means that I can automate long (swedish) winter nights with different objects and filters.

Works great 😀

Tareq Abdulla

Jun 27, 2023

I do have all, the filter wheels and the drawer, for OSC i will definitely use the drawer over the wheel, because i am not going to use many filters, i hate to buy a more expensive tool which force me to buy even more tools, so even if i buy a filter wheel of 5 slots while i have only 2 or even 3 filters i know it is impossible for me to keep it without filling all the slots no matter what.

I have a filter drawer that accept 50mm and 2" and 36mm and 31mm and 1.25", it is only a drawer and insert and ring converter for different sizes, and it is tight, the drawback is that i have to lock it with a screw and screwdriver, instead of a knob, but i will buy another filter drawer with magnet and knob so i don't need to lock anything but i know i am securely fitting the insert without dropping, this way i only use the filters i have without buying more, in addition i didn't spend much for a wheel anyway and empty slots that etching me to buy more filters, i better go with mono in this case.

Stephane Perroud

Jun 28, 2023

Craig Dixon:
Also, what's the general procedure for shooting with a dual narrowband filter and then using an IR/UV Cut filter to shoot just the stars? I've never actually done this before.

Hi Craig,

I only use filter drawers with their holders with my OSC camera, but I have only two filters for the moment.
To mix the data, I extract the red channel from the duoband integrated image to name it Ha, then combine it to the red channel of the IR/UVcut inegrated image (percentage to be defined from case to case).
For Oii, it's a it's a bit more tricky as the data is to be found in green and blue channels of your duoband integrated image. I must say I did not try yet a good procedure.