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Do any of you use filters with your binoculars?

I was wondering if I could use a couple of 2" UHC types to get some decent views of nebula (if the binoculars would gather enough light with the filters in place), and also maybe a pair of polarizers or NDC's to cut down on moon/planet glare.

Is there an easy way to mount 2" filters to non-threaded bino objectives?

BTW - I'm picking up the Nikon Action Extreme 12x50... which is what this would apply to specifically.

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A couple of times I have used my two 2” Orion filters (a broadband and a narrowband) on my 10X50 binos by friction-fitting them into the housing that extends beyond the objectives. The outside diameter of the filters is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the housing, so I used strips of 1/8” craft foam as a shim. The temporary installation is quite easy to do, and the foam holds the filters securely, but I have to be careful when installing them to avoid scratching the coating on the objectives with the metal rim of the filters.

The filters work with binoculars similarly to how they work for a ‘scope. The most interesting aspect of this exercise is that it makes it easy to compare the effectiveness of the two filters.

Most of my viewing is just for the sheer enjoyment of the aesthetic experience rather than trying to add hard-to-find objects to my life-list. For the most part, viewing the heavens through these filters detracts from the overall aesthetics rather than enhances it so I haven’t repeated the experiment very often. (Actually, I haven’t used the filters on my ‘scopes very much for that reason too.) But I’ve kept the narrow foam strips and will probably try again to see the Veil and North American nebulae when I’m at a dark site.

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Bill

Oberwerk 25X100IF; Garrett Signature 15X70
Captain's Helmsman 7X50; Minolta 10X50
Pentax Papilio 6.5X21
Couch Potato Binocular Mount
Manfrotto 503 mount / Acuter tripod (Gitzo clone)
Vixen fork mount / Manfroto 3246 tripod
William Optics Zenithstar 80

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