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

Optolong Planetary Filter Kit - 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.

What filters are used for Planetary photography?

Photography of planets and deepsky objects can be achieved by the use of a monocrom 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 disturbences, 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 ligth, 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 protfolio IR-RGB. 

Imaging Target:

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

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 sharepmess of the image as most of the optics are designed for the visible spectrum, because it's very difficult to creat a lens with the same focal point for the visible and IR spectrum. 

It is used on a digital camera and teh video, which do not have an IR protection filter toward an image sensor or were remodeled. This is important because unfilterted 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

Creat 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, photograhers would use classical RGB fiters. 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.