Optolong Planetary Filter Kit 2" - Set of UV/IR Cut, R, G, B and IR685 Filters

Optolong Planetary Filter Kit 2" - Set of  UV/IR Cut, R, G, B and IR685 Filters

Optolong Planetary filters kit including UV/IR Cut, R, G, B and IR685 filters, 5 filters in total. Available in 1.25" and 2" versions. This product listing is the 2" version.

What filters are used for Planetary photography?

Photography of planets and deepsky objects can be achieved by the use of a monochrome camera and a range of filters. Planetary photography is different from deep sky imaging in a way that deepsky images are taken through Ha, SII, OIII filters, whilst planetary photography would be often taken through IR, UV, R,G,B and other specialist filters.

The main aim is to capture the specific spectrum, such as rich carbon dioxide. One of the most common filter we use is IR-pass through filter- infrared filter. 

In nature, the longer the wavelength of light, the less affected by atmospheric disturbances, so taking images at the red or infrared part of the spectrum has its advantages. 

Thus when we image a planet, we usually use an IR-pass filter, that transmits only infrared, or near-infrared light, in order to reduce the negative influence of bad seeing conditions. 

In visible light, photographers use classical RGB filters. For Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Neptune, IR685 comes fist, and for Saturn, Jupiter, UV/IR Cut, R, G and B are good, therefore the portfolio of IR-RGB is popular. 

IR685 Introduction

Optolong IR-Pass 685nm filter is designed to block most visible lights and can be used in IR-LRGB imaging to produce a sharper luminance image for improved planetary contrast as atmospheric seeing and distortion is much reduced at longer IR wavelengths. The advantage of the IR685 filter is to reduce the effects of atmospheric jitter. 

Sensors of CCD or CMOS cameras are usually capable of detecting light in the 350nm -1100nm range including infrared wavelengths. Optolong IR685 cuts off the visible part of the spectrum and allows near infrared light to pass so that cause the most sensitive to bad seeing is rejected. It will highly improve images on visibility, contrast and details of planets and the moon. Besides, IR685 is usually used as a key factor of the portfolio IR-RGB. 

Imaging Target:

IR685 is for imaging of bright planets, stars, and comet, like Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Moon, etc. 

IR685 Spectrum for Reference

How to read the chart?

The horizontal axis is the Wavelength in Nanometers(nm).

The vertical axis is Transmission in %.

IR685 characteristic:

• Tave: T>95%
• Transmission area: 700-1100nm
• Blocking are:  300-600nm
• Blocking depth: bloked>99%
• Surface quality: 60/40(Refer to MIL-O-13830)
• Surface accuracy: λ/4
• Parallelism: 30'

UV/IR Cut, R, G, B Filters Introduction

Optolong UV/IR Cut filter is designed for ultraviolet and infrared wavelength blocking to improve sharpness of the image as most of the optics are designed for the visible spectrum, because it's very difficult to create a lens with the same focal point for the visible and IR spectrum. 

It is used on a digital camera and the video, which do not have an IR protection filter toward an image sensor or were remodeled. This is important because unfiltered CCD and CMOS sensors are extremely susceptible to UV and IR rays just outside the visible spectrum that can have a very negative impact on image quality. 

Optolong RGB set divides the spectrum into its components red, gree and blue. 

RGB, parfocal: 1:1:1

Create images in their true original colors showing a wealth of natural detail;

Steep bandpass filters to eliminate UV and IR interference;

UV/IR Cut, Red, Green, and Blue filters to reproduce the star's color;

Main use 

In visible light, photographers would use classical RGB filters. If you have Optolong LRGB filters, just try R filter for moon photography, which will be a good promotion. if you want clearer details of the Moon, then consider the Optolong IR685 filter seriously.

Suitable for color CMOS and CCD cameras and modified DSLRs;

Available to assist in focusing;

Act as an outstanding dust shield, which prevents the possibility of dust settling on the lens when long time exposure. 

UV/IR Cut, R, G, B Filters Spectrum for Reference

How to reach the chart?

The horizontal axis is the Wavelength in Nanometers(nm).

The vertical axis is Transmission in %.

The WHITE line shows the transmission of the UV/IR Cut filter. R filters line is shown in RED. G filter line is shown in GREEN. And the B filter line is shown in BLUE.

Packaging Style as a kit by using "Solar System Seal"

Outer Box: silver box

Plastic Box: PP material

Lining: imported high pressure white EVA material

Testimonials

Jupiter by Zhou Zhiwei (周志伟)

Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses: Celestron C11. Televue Powermate 2.5x

Mounts: NEQ6 Pro

Filter: Optolong UV/IR Cut 1.25"

Accessories: ZWO ADC. ZWO EFW 8 1.25" 

Software: ASICAP

Seeing: 3

Transparency: 7

Resolution: 1000x560

Location: Backyard, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

 Jupiter @ Optolong RGB filters @大麦芽

Equipment: DOB10, TV5xBarlow lens 

QHY5L-II-M

Optolong RGB filters

Location: Tongzhou, Beijing

Credit: 大麦芽

Jupiter by MoonPrince (Sean Wang), by UV/IR Cut, R, G, B

Met very good seeing. This is taken with Skywatcher 16"DOB and Player One Astronomy Neptune-M mono camera.

Exp=15ms, Gain=240

Record 8000 frames of UV/IR Cut, RGB 3000 each, 30% stacked. 

All gear used:

Telescopes: Skywather 16" DOB + TV5x

Camera: Neptune-M (IMX178)

Filters: Optolong UV/IR Cut, R, G, B filters

Software: Autostakkert3, Atralmage 5, Winjupos10, Photogshop CC.

Saturn by Zhou Zhiwei (周志伟)

Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses: Sky-Watcher DOB 16 GOTO . TELEVUE 3x Barlow

Imaging Cameras: ZWO ASI462MC

Filter: Optolong UV/IR Cut 1.25"

Accessories: ZWO EFW 1.25" 5 Position . ZWO ADC . ZWO EAF 

Frames: 15000

Focal length: 5400

Resolution: 1280x960

Location: Backyard, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Saturn in 2020 by Zhou Zhiwei (周志伟)

Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses: Celestron C11 .  Televue Powermate 2.5x

Imaging Cameras:  ASI290MM

Mounts: NEQ6 Pro

Filter: Optolong RGB

Accessories: ZWO EFW 8 1.25" 

Frames: 28000

Focal length: 5400

Resolution: 1000x560

Location: Backyard, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Saturn in dawn by Zhou Zhiwei (周志伟)

Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses: Sky-Watcher DOB 16 GOTO . TELEVUE 3x Barlow

Imaging Cameras: ZWO ASI462MC

Filter: Optolong UV/IR Cut 1.25"

Accessories: ZWO EFW 1.25" 5 Position . ZWO ADC . ZWO EAF https://www.astrobin.com/tgxt02/B/?fbclid=IwAR3c1rZX6BHF0divZDazbXFWX6IT8TtvPFGep5_7hTPO5M7tLILj0Kgmiz0

Frames: 9000

Focal length: 5400

Resolution: 720x720

Location: Backyard, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

WIth the sun rise, sky turn brighter quickly, Mr. Zhou took the second group of Saturn in the first rays of morning on a blue-sky background. 

You can see two moons in the east of this planet, which is a place of deep mystery and enchantment. 

Surface part of the valley ring mountain, shot by "星空狩猎"

Using Optolong IR685, he said it is darker and less difficult to focus when using IR685.

Notes

●About color: due to the influence of ambient light, color difference of the display and flash photography, the color of the product may have some color difference. Detailed color is in accordance with the final product.

●About coating: the interference filter will show different colors under different light, which is a normal phenomenon. Please refer to the material specification.

●About the description: the series of this product have the same material, technology and design, different sizes only, please note.