97 replies to this topic

[bjkaras]

Does Lumicon no longer have an H-Beta filter?

[Starman1]

Does Lumicon no longer have an H-Beta filter?

Lumicon has not made an H-ß filter since ~2016.

Right now, there are no Lumicon filters at all other than a few remaining in dealer stocks.

OSI (the parent company) are moving to new quarters, and it is not a sure thing there will be more Lumicon filters, ever,

unless the current owner sells the name to someone else, or decides to make them again.

It's possible that Lumicon filters will be made again, but only the owner knows if or when, and he hasn't even told his employees.

JMI, Farpoint, Lumicon, Astrodon are all in Limbo.

[rocketsteve]

Lumicon has not made an H-ß filter since ~2016.

Right now, there are no Lumicon filters at all other than a few remaining in dealer stocks.

OSI (the parent company) are moving to new quarters, and it is not a sure thing there will be more Lumicon filters, ever,

unless the current owner sells the name to someone else, or decides to make them again.

It's possible that Lumicon filters will be made again, but only the owner knows if or when, and he hasn't even told his employees.

JMI, Farpoint, Lumicon, Astrodon are all in Limbo.

PM sent.
 

[Chad7531]

Lumicon has not made an H-ß filter since ~2016.
Right now, there are no Lumicon filters at all other than a few remaining in dealer stocks.
OSI (the parent company) are moving to new quarters, and it is not a sure thing there will be more Lumicon filters, ever,
unless the current owner sells the name to someone else, or decides to make them again.
It's possible that Lumicon filters will be made again, but only the owner knows if or when, and he hasn't even told his employees.
JMI, Farpoint, Lumicon, Astrodon are all in Limbo.

I have a Lumicon Hb that was tested at the factory in 2021.

[25585]

In another thread, a poster has remarked that Lumicon has "cult status" here on CN.

 

My appreciation for the brand goes back 30 years to my first OIII and UHC which were both Lumicon. Those filters have done me well, and it is only fairly recently that I bought another brand, an Astronomik UHC, that seems good too.

 

I have a modern Lumicon Gen 3 OIII, which is amazing in the right uses.

 

What is the best UHC/OIII for 5" (refractor) apertures, to reveal objects in wider fields that might make those objects harder to pick out otherwise.

[Starman1]

In another thread, a poster has remarked that Lumicon has "cult status" here on CN.

 

My appreciation for the brand goes back 30 years to my first OIII and UHC which were both Lumicon. Those filters have done me well, and it is only fairly recently that I bought another brand, an Astronomik UHC, that seems good too.

 

I have a modern Lumicon Gen 3 OIII, which is amazing in the right uses.

 

What is the best UHC/OIII for 5" (refractor) apertures, to reveal objects in wider fields that might make those objects harder to pick out otherwise.

You can't go wrong with Tele Vue (BandMate II Nebustar), Astronomik (UHC Visual), Lumicon (Gen.3 UHC) or DGM (NPB) for narrowbands.

DGM drops off that short list for O-III filters (too wide), but the other 3 are excellent.

Baader isn't playing in this game--their new dual band UHC-L has a 50nm bandwidth in the blue-green.  That's a bit narrower than their UHC-S (now discontinued), but still not a narrowband.

And their current O-III is still a single-line O-III, not a dual-line.

Edited by Starman1, 19 May 2023 - 09:19 AM.

[G8wayg8r]

When considering whether to buy a 1.25" filter or a 2" filter, screwing a 2" filter in and adapter for 1.25" eyepieces would allow you used multiple eyepieces without the annoyance of repeatedly unscrewing and screwing the filter when you want to change eyepieces.  I'm having trouble finding information regarding any deleterious effects (if any) of paying more to buy one for the many. Anyone ever try this approach? I've got a 1.25" Orion Sky Glow from the 90s and I'm interested in a filter to help improve contrast for visual observation of nebula.

Edited by G8wayg8r, 28 June 2023 - 05:45 PM.

[ButterFly]

When considering whether to buy a 1.25" filter or a 2" filter, screwing a 2" filter in and adapter for 1.25" eyepieces would allow you used multiple eyepieces without the annoyance of repeatedly unscrewing and screwing the filter when you want to change eyepieces.  I'm having trouble finding information regarding any deleterious effects (if any) of paying more to buy one for the many. Anyone ever try this approach? I've got a 1.25" Orion Sky Glow from the 90s and I'm interested in a filter to help improve contrast for visual observation of nebula.

You just have to be careful to not smash the filter when putting the 1.25" eyepiece into the adapter.  Some eyepiece barrels are long.  A screw on 2" extension tube at the end of the adapter can help avoid that, if you need to.

[Starman1]

When considering whether to buy a 1.25" filter or a 2" filter, screwing a 2" filter in and adapter for 1.25" eyepieces would allow you used multiple eyepieces without the annoyance of repeatedly unscrewing and screwing the filter when you want to change eyepieces.  I'm having trouble finding information regarding any deleterious effects (if any) of paying more to buy one for the many. Anyone ever try this approach? I've got a 1.25" Orion Sky Glow from the 90s and I'm interested in a filter to help improve contrast for visual observation of nebula.

And that is a reason why 2" filters are more 'universal'--they attach to the 2" eyepieces, the 2" to 1.25" adapters, and the front of 2" star diagonals, as well as 2" Barlows, 2" Coma correctors, etc.

 

Your Sky Glow is a broadband filter, with only a very small amount of contrast enhancement.

A true Narrowband (H-ß and O-III lines) is what you need, like:

TeleVue BandMate-II Nebustar

Lumicon Gen.3 UHC

Astronomik UHC Visual

DGM NPB

Orion Ultrablock

[G8wayg8r]

Thanks to all for the suggestions: ButterFly, I checked all of my DeLites and they fit nicely in the adapter without interfering with a 2" filter. I should get even better views with my 10" f/5 Dob once I find a wide-field eyepiece with an exit pupil of around 5 (or slightly more) so I can get (hopefully) a bright 1.5 degree FOV with my old eyes.  Starman1, thank you for the recommendations. I'm on the lookout for preowned for now. For the price, that Orion filter looks like a good first buy, although I would be more than thrilled with any on your list, new or preowned.

 

Andy

[bshay]

I just purchased an Optolong Oiii filter and used it for the first time a few nights ago with my (new to me) Orion EON 120, in Bortle 2 skies.  I was quite impressed.  It gave me the best views I've ever had of the Lagoon, Trifid, and Swan nebulae.  It was a bit less impressive on M57 but I definitely noticed an increase in contrast over no-filter. I recommend it very highly!

[Starman1]

I just purchased an Optolong Oiii filter and used it for the first time a few nights ago with my (new to me) Orion EON 120, in Bortle 2 skies.  I was quite impressed.  It gave me the best views I've ever had of the Lagoon, Trifid, and Swan nebulae.  It was a bit less impressive on M57 but I definitely noticed an increase in contrast over no-filter. I recommend it very highly!

So this is a brand new Optolong O-III filter with the 18mm bandwidth, and not the older one with a 25nm bandwidth (i.e. you purchased a new one, not a used one?)?

Your skies are very dark, so a narrowband (O-III + H-ß) filter would have performed better on M8/M20/M17 than the O-III because so much emission in those nebulae is from hydrogen.

The O-III might work a bit better than the narrowband in heavier light pollution.

 

As an aside: M57 is one of a handful of planetaries that isn't really helped much by a filter use.  Magnification helps more with that one.

[mountain monk]

Don,

 

I have the old 2” Bandmate NebuStar. Is the II Bandmate much different, worth the upgrade? Thanks.

 

Dark skies

 

Jack

[Starman1]

Don,

 

I have the old 2” Bandmate NebuStar. Is the II Bandmate much different, worth the upgrade? Thanks.

 

Dark skies

 

Jack

The BandMate II has a much narrower bandwidth and greater contrast.

So, yes.

[mountain monk]

Thanks. I'll order one from you.

 

Dark skies

 

Jack

[Captain Jim]

Greetings,

 

This is a great thread!  Thank you, Don for your insight and technical expertise  The buyer's guide and Knisely Summary you posted are very helpful. I have a (hopefully) related question:

 

I have a 2" Celestron Ultima Edge 30mm eyepiece and am wondering if there are enough wide-field targets (e.g. M42) to justify buying a 2" filter (Nebustar Type II or another Npb). 

 

I have a 1.25" DGM Npb that works fantastically on my Baader Mark IV 8-24 zoom and is able to boost the contrast and enhance the visibility of the Ring Nebula under Bortle 7 skies.  I also have a 9mm Morpheus and I'm thinking of getting the 12mm Morpheus at some point.  The 2" filter will fit the 30mm and the zoom (I think) but not the other two.

 

If the 2" filter doesn't make sense, then I will likley pick up a 1.25" Nebustar because of red/blue differences (noted by Don in Post #10 on this thread).

 

I would appreciate any insight and advice available. 

 

Good seeing,

 

Jim

[Starman1]

2" is the "universal" size.

It fits 2" eyepieces, 2" to 1.25" adapters, 2" star diagonals (on the front), 2" Barlows, coma correctors, etc.

So 2" filters can be easily used with 1.25" eyepieces.

1.25" filters, on the other hand, only fit 1.25" eyepieces.

 

Not all 2" to 1.25" adapters are threaded for 2" filters, but most are.

[Captain Jim]

2" is the "universal" size.

It fits 2" eyepieces, 2" to 1.25" adapters, 2" star diagonals (on the front), 2" Barlows, coma correctors, etc.

So 2" filters can be easily used with 1.25" eyepieces.

1.25" filters, on the other hand, only fit 1.25" eyepieces.

 

Not all 2" to 1.25" adapters are threaded for 2" filters, but most are.

 It's funny because I can honestly say I've never looked at the bottom of the 2"-1.25" adaptor long enough to realize it's threaded.    Thanks for the tip, Don. That makes getting the 2" an easier choice.

[Starman1]

 It's funny because I can honestly say I've never looked at the bottom of the 2"-1.25" adaptor long enough to realize it's threaded.    Thanks for the tip, Don. That makes getting the 2" an easier choice.

Before you thread a filter on, though, check to see none of your eyepieces will touch the filter.

If the adapter is short, you can always add a barrel extender to the adapter, and extenders come in lengths of 5-50mm so you can add the length you need quite easily.

[sky-man]

Send me a picture of the filter and the box in a private message and I'll try to narrow it down.

If the filter has no markings on the filter housing, however, it is pre-2012.  Just when might be determinable from the box.

 

 Don good afternoon. My name is Adel. Can I ask you to help me find out when this filter was released?

 

 

 

What can you say about this filter? Thank you in advance. 

 

 

I tested this filter using a simple spectroscope, followed by measuring the brightness of the desired spectrogram lines using a histogram of the area in Photoshop. I looked for lines on the spectrogram using the Fraunhofer lines - Hb and those closest to Oiii. The transmittance percentages were as follows, shown in the figure. But these are approximate measurements, since the price of the spectroscope is $10. The Lumiсon Oiii gen3 filter on the spectrogram was purchased in 2023 in Farpoint. Lumicon UHC is old, I wanted to ask you about the year.

 

I’ve been using this UHC filter lately with a 100mm binocular that I built myself from two SW 1025 tubes. The filter shows breathtaking views of NGC 7000, Veil, and the Bat.

 

Edited by sky-man, 15 November 2023 - 05:38 PM.

[Starman1]

The knurled top identifies it as post 2001.

The black & clear box identifies it as post 2005.

It's from the great period between 2005 and 2012, and the transmission figures are higher than average.

It's a keeper if you use 1.25" filters at low powers.

That O-III is superb, too.

A couple great filters.

[sky-man]

Thank you very much Don. I'm surprised how well you understand these filters.

[Starman1]

I worked next door to Lumicon from 2005-2012.

I've owned Lumicon filters since the early '80s.

I'm sad they are now out of production, but there are some very nice equivalents available today.

[sky-man]

Don, I also have this filter, can you tell me what year it is??

 

 

 

 

 

[Starman1]

The 2nd picture reveals it is from the 2012-2016 era.

The coatings did not extend all the way to the edge of the filter.