14 replies to this topic

[turbo399]

I was recently contacted by Optolong, a filter manufacture in China who asked me to test their filters. They sent me a set of 36mm un mounted LRGB and a set of 36mm Narrowband Filters, H-Alpha 7nm, OIII and SII 12nm. I was impressed when they arrived, nice packaging and presentation in a similar plastic case to the Baader.

Click here to view the article

[liors]

Thanks Terry for this nice review.

 

Lior

[MrJones]

Thanks. BTW StarGuy/Mr StarGuy is selling Optolong filters under his own name including 1.25" and 2" LRGB sets.

Edited by MrJones, 22 September 2015 - 03:54 PM.

[MartinW]

Really a nice review. It's good to know there's some more players out there making high quality filters.

[nicknacknock]

Terry,

 

Neat review - short and sweet!

 

I am no imager - strictly visual but used to seeing minute details - but I see a "substantial" difference in favor of the Baader filters except for the Red one which is nearly identical.

 

Of course this could be attributed to the conditions prevalent on the two days you imaged. Also, you have the high quality/resolution photos available VS the reduced resolution when you upload to CN.

[petert913]

Great review, Terry.  I guess we should assume the same with the narrow-band filters.

[Ohan Smit]

Sweet

[nicknacknock]

Terry,

 

Any chance of making the raw files available? As I mentioned - to my eyes at least - there is significant difference in favor of the Baader filters. However, viewing low resolution photos and comparing between them is not the best methodology to ascertain the true extend of the difference in performance.

 

Also, can you please report on the general conditions prevailing between the two evenings? In your report you don't mention if one evening was better overall than the other - something that could impact on the quality of the images.

 

Unless there is a hidden factor in favor of the cheaper Optolong filters, based on the images alone, I would go straight for the Baader filters were I an imager. If one is budget conscious or just starting and doesn't want to commit the extra $178 (maybe put the funds to the purchase of another accessory), the Optolong filters make sense. Otherwise, I can't see why one would not get the Baader filters   

[turbo399]

thanks everyone, petert913 I am expecting 6.5nm Optolong Narrow-Band Filters to arrive soon for further testing. 

 

nicknacknock

In my very first paragraph I wrote "carried out on the 15th and 16th August with similar average seeing conditions"

 

Here are the same images/clips shown above in higher resolution, you should be able to download from the following dropbox link https://www.dropbox....gT6zkBNAga?dl=0

[nicknacknock]

Thanks Terry!

 

Missed that bit about the weather conditions - my bad.

 

Just had a quick look at the Dropbox photos. Red one - difference so marginal I would have to say I couldn't see any appreciable difference. Luminance - slight nod to the Baader. Other two - very clear nod to the Baader.

 

Seeing the images in better resolution does help. If money is no object then the Baaders for sure. There is appreciable difference - yet not huge. However the Optolongs are quite good. $178 may not seem much, but it is still a 37% price difference to the Baaders and does buy one some more accessories as I mentioned.

 

I have attacked the Veil visually with apertures of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 102, 120, 152, 300 and 450mm (all but the last 2 refractors - last two premium Dobsonians) over the course of a few years and that's why I am so "critical" of the images in both the review and the Dropbox link as I can relate to them - they feel like the views I get through the eyepiece in the two larger instruments - especially the 18".

 

Is there a chance to see the end result for both filter sets? There is only one true color photo at the end of the review - I assume with the Optolongs - which is an excellent photo by the way. It would be nice to do a comparison of the final output. In color I expect any differences to be negligible which would make the Optolongs an even better value proposition, but would enjoy the comparison if you could provide the side-by-side view like the others.

 

Overall, it is good to see alternatives coming to the market. It challenges established players to raise the bar for their products or reduce prices and of course gives valuable experience and feedback to the creators of new products to come up with better versions in the future.

[thomas glynn]

Where can I buy a set of 36mm unmounted LRGB filters for $299.  I'd also like a set of narrow band filters also.  

[mpusatera]

Terry, 

 

Did you ever get the narrow band filters?  If so, how did they do?  I've been planning to make the jump to CCD and will be getting LRGB and narrow band, so this info is very helpful!

 

-Mike

[stephendej]

Hi Terry, I'm not an experienced astro-photographer but I do appreciate a good review no matter what the product. I must say some of your responders were a little to critical of your observation of this product, but I found It to be Informative and very well written. So keep up the good work. Steve

[Dom543]

Is the red spectral curve accidentally shifted to the right? Or is it true, that yellow is blocked out by the RGB set and additional IR is included over what the luma filter lets through? This must affect color balance.

 

Clear Skies!

--Dom

[pyrasanth]

I find the filter market a little bit like dog eat dog at the moment. We have Astronomik making claims that Optolong stole there technology using methods that would not be out of place in a James Bond film. I then read that Astrodon were taking a pop at what I presume is Baader (but not stated- as they seem to be the only company I can find with a 3.5 nm HA Filter). The market may be competitive but I find all of this very distasteful.

 

It is very much up to the user to test product to there satisfaction & complain to the manufacturers if they find anything amiss. Manufacturers and distributors squabbling among themselves is by its very nature distasteful & unprofessional. 

 

Never has the statement Caveat Emptor been more true!