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Equipment Discussions >> Equipment

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coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

colored filters for planets
#5225195 - 05/16/12 01:51 PM

i bought a 56 green filter to invesigate sperical abberration in my apo and was told it was good for jupiter and saturn.

in your exerience which two colored filters would you add to that for viewing the planets

thanks

Post Extras:

Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: coutleef]
#5225423 - 05/16/12 04:11 PM

Before buying more "stuff", try validating that you find value in the Green filter.

Filters are funny things. Some people swear by them, and others don't feel that they make it possible to see anything that can'd be seen unfiltered.

If you use the green filter and don't feel as it has made any improvement, you may want to ask yourself if you need two more filters for your "Stuff" collection.

And remember, all the money you save on not buying filters can be put toward the purchase of a life-size full color Gwen Stefani Poster.

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coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Eddgie]
#5225453 - 05/16/12 04:33 PM

Thanks Eddgie, i'll follow your advice.

I have often read diverging opinions on colored filters so they do seem to be very 'utilizer-dependant'.

If i end up not buying filters, can i get a life-size full color Scarlett Johansonn Poster instead??

But if i find them useful, which other filter combination is useful (2 or 3 additional filters to the green)

Post Extras:

Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: coutleef]
#5225476 - 05/16/12 04:47 PM

Mercury--yellow filter
Venus--blue filter
Mars--blue for clouds, ice cap
--red for dark markings
--yellow for dust storms
Jupiter--blue filter
Saturn--blue for disk, yellow for rings
Uranus, Neptune--no filter

5" or smaller scope--use light versions of the colors
6" and larger--use medium density versions
10" and larger--use dark versions
Red--#21, 23A, and 25
Blue--#82A, 80A, and 38
Yellow--#8, 12, and 15

Note that colored filters are used to augment specific details.
For overall accuracy of color rendition at high powers, I have found that the best filter is none.

Post Extras:

coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5225487 - 05/16/12 04:54 PM

Quote:

Mercury--yellow filter
Venus--blue filter
Mars--blue for clouds, ice cap
--red for dark markings
--yellow for dust storms
Jupiter--blue filter
Saturn--blue for disk, yellow for rings
Uranus, Neptune--no filter

5" or smaller scope--use light versions of the colors
6" and larger--use medium density versions
10" and larger--use dark versions
Red--#21, 23A, and 25
Blue--#82A, 80A, and 38
Yellow--#8, 12, and 15

Note that colored filters are used to augment specific details.
For overall accuracy of color rendition at high powers, I have found that the best filter is none.

Thanks Don, very useful. I'll follow this guide if the green filter helps.

I must admit i already use sometimes a moon and skyglow filter on planets and find it helps in reducing brightness when the seeing does not allow to increase magnification enough.

Post Extras:

Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: coutleef]
#5225506 - 05/16/12 05:01 PM

I also find that color filters reduce the effects of bad seeing. I suppose that's another valid reason to own them.
Other than as a Moon filter, though, I have found some use, through the years, for nearly every color of filter except green.
I have literally found zero planetary features augmented by green that were not augmented better by another color.

Even on the Moon, a dark yellow filter works better than green, IMO.

Post Extras:

Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5225513 - 05/16/12 05:02 PM

I'll add a #30 magenta filter for Mars. It enhances clouds and dark markings at the same time. It is actually my favorite Mars filter and I forgot to mention it.

Post Extras:

coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5225538 - 05/16/12 05:12 PM

Quote:

I'll add a #30 magenta filter for Mars. It enhances clouds and dark markings at the same time. It is actually my favorite Mars filter and I forgot to mention it.

And that is the one you can get only from Vernonscope, is it??

Post Extras:

coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5225544 - 05/16/12 05:13 PM

Quote:

I also find that color filters reduce the effects of bad seeing. I suppose that's another valid reason to own them.
Other than as a Moon filter, though, I have found some use, through the years, for nearly every color of filter except green.
I have literally found zero planetary features augmented by green that were not augmented better by another color.

Even on the Moon, a dark yellow filter works better than green, IMO.

Oups, i'll try the 80A blue then before i take a decision for the others. I'll use them mainly on my 8' SCT, that is what i use for planets from home in the city.

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: coutleef]
#5225550 - 05/16/12 05:17 PM

I do use moon filters--I have some neutral density and polarizing moon filters. However, after a couple of years trying different filters on the planets, I came to the conclusion that I can see as much detail without filter enhancement.

Post Extras:

craytab
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/10/11

Loc: Bethlehem, PA

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5225561 - 05/16/12 05:24 PM

If you simply want to darken something a Variable Polarizing filter might be a good option. I find it a huge help when viewing Venus and sometimes Jupiter. As for color filters, I have some but don't use them as I don't see an improvement. Perhaps I don't have enough experience or maybe I am in the faction who see no benefit....

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buddyjesus
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/07/10

Loc: Davison, Michigan

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: craytab]
#5225580 - 05/16/12 05:33 PM

I would go with an orange filter and another filter with neodymium(semi-apo or moon and skyglow.) Can get both orange and neodymium with the TV mars filter. If you go that route, I would get either #11 yellow(preferred as it really helps sharpness) or an #82a blue(helps, but too subtle for my tastes) for the second filter.

Post Extras:

epee
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 11/30/06

Loc: Suh-van-nuh, Jaw-juh

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: buddyjesus]
#5228276 - 05/18/12 12:24 PM

The "Mars Filter" Orion sells wouldn't happen to be a #30 Magenta would it?

Post Extras:

MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: Mendon, MA

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: epee]
#5228482 - 05/18/12 02:44 PM

There are several "mars filters" from Orion. Three colored ones, and a multiwave filter. No are listed as magenta #30 as far as I can see. Of course it's pretty convoluted. Often you don't see the transfer function graph until after you buy it since it comes in the box :-(

If someone find out where all these filters are listed I would like to know. I tried to make a spreadsheet of all the filter types and transmissivities, but you know...

Post Extras:

Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5228656 - 05/18/12 05:08 PM

Here is a link to the spectrum of transmission chart. It's a broadband filter, so the image through the filter is likely to appear like blue superimposed on red, i.e. magenta. Click on the spectrum picture underneath the picture of the filter.
http://www.telescope.com/125-Orion-Mars-Observation-Eyepiece-Filter/p/5599.uts?keyword=mars%20filter

Undeerneath, they explain the WHY of the bandwidth.

Post Extras:

Doc Bob
professor emeritus

Reged: 02/27/09

Loc: Maryland, USA

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5228807 - 05/18/12 07:36 PM

The filter I like best for general all around use is the Baader Semi-APO. Yields a boost in contrast and keeps pretty much color fidelity.

Bob

Post Extras:

MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: Mendon, MA

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5229334 - 05/19/12 08:47 AM

Quote:

Here is a link to the spectrum of transmission chart. It's a broadband filter, so the image through the filter is likely to appear like blue superimposed on red, i.e. magenta. Click on the spectrum picture underneath the picture of the filter.
http://www.telescope.com/125-Orion-Mars-Observation-Eyepiece-Filter/p/5599.uts?keyword=mars%20filter

Undeerneath, they explain the WHY of the bandwidth.

Thanks Don, after I posted I remembered the filter data sheets. I downloaded them all. I also have several other sets of docs now on the very much maligned filters :-)

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jgraham
Postmaster

Reged: 12/02/04

Loc: Dayton, Ohio

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5229478 - 05/19/12 10:41 AM

The absolute best filters I've ever used are a set of interference filters originally designed for RGB imaging. These filters offer very high transmission and sharply defined spectral regions. Venus through a blue interference filter is simply stunning. If you can find them, a complete set of Meade LRGB filters usually go for about $75. I ended up with two sets; one for imaging the other for visual.

Post Extras:

Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: jgraham]
#5229518 - 05/19/12 11:23 AM

John,
I agree, but it's too bad there is not a Y filter in there.
An RYB set would be spectacular.

Post Extras:

tmbuser6
sage

Reged: 07/01/11

Re: colored filters for planets new

[Re: Starman1]
#5229745 - 05/19/12 02:12 PM

Quote:

Mercury--yellow filter
Venus--blue filter
Mars--blue for clouds, ice cap
--red for dark markings
--yellow for dust storms
Jupiter--blue filter
Saturn--blue for disk, yellow for rings
Uranus, Neptune--no filter

Don, I should add that many find the #47 violet best for Venus, on Mars, as you partly noted, I find the #30 Magenta OR the #85 Salmon most effective. On Jupiter and Saturn, I don't find blue all that useful. I usually try a few different ones to see what works best for that situation, but have found #56 light green a nice contrast booster on Jupiter.

Regards,

Wayne

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