OPTOLONG VS BAADER Narrowband Ha and OIII filters comparison by Fényes Lóránd

[Laura Ge]

OPTOLONG VS BAADER

Narrowband Ha and OIII filters comparison by Fényes Lóránd

http://fenyeslorand.hu/optolong-vs-baader/

 

I’ve been using the Baader narrowband filters for a year now.*I was pretty happy with the product except the continuous fight *to optimize and adjust*the flat filed of the OIII filter.*Since I had the opportunity to test both Baader and Optolong products I was very excited to see their performance under the*same condition.

Observation point:*Hungary, Piliscsev

Date:*11.02.2016

Seeing:*6/10

Transparency:*7/10

Sky quality:*faint light pollution from south (Budapest, capital of Hungary is 30 kms away)

Expositions:*10 min each

Telescope:*SkyWatcher Esprit 100/550

Mount:*SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6 GT

CCD:*QHY IC8300

Reductor:*Riccardi Reducer 0.75x

Filters

Baader Ha 7nm 36mm

Baader OIII 8.5nm 36mm

Optolong Ha 7nm 36mm

Optolong OIII 6.5nm 36mm

Guiding:*QHY5L-II

 

Quick summary

I made the same processing steps for*the fair comparison: dark, flat, flatdark.*Grey box: exactly the same area, same luminance values (C: 73%, M: 67%, Y: 65%, K: 80).

The signal-to-noise ratio of Baader HA filter measures lower contrast.*The halo*around the bright stars seems to be much more softer when using Optolong filter. I placed the more reflective side of the filters point away from the chip (on Baader filters the V marks the preferred orientation). *Of course it is not a general rule and it is not only because of the filters. It depends on every system, for example in an optical system that put a lens or series of lenses close in front of the filter it can cause reflections. I have reflexions with Baader and Optolong too but the difference is visible.

 

 

Quick summary:

I made the same processing steps for*the fair comparison: dark, flat, flatdark.*Grey box: exactly the same area, same luminance values (C: 73%, M: 67%, Y: 65%, K: 80).

I had hard time with bader OIII since it results a rather uneven picture. It can be a major problem when dealing with very*faint*objects (there is a strong need to use the “curve” command). So even with the finest pics it requires lots of post-processing.

On the other hand the* Optolong filter shows* better contrast.*Since it does result a very even background it is easy to process images

 

Quick summary:

It is a big difference. Optolong filters have better, balanced flat.

[loulou7331]

http://www.astronomik.com/en/news/chinese_copies_en/

[olivdeso]

???

 

Laura, are you selling these filters?

 

I would be more impressed if optolong has not copied the EOS astronomik clip system. This is a redflag to me. And frankly speaking, this kind of message confirms my first feeling about optolong.

 

There is no need of such "hiden" marketing message on our forum.

 

Just make good products and let us judge by ourselves.