Do i need a ir filter?

[bm1980]

Hi all i have been doing a bit of web cam photography of the moon and saturn. My question is do i need the ir filter that i got with the spc 880 from morgans earlier this year? some people say i do and others say i dont

i spoke with the guy from astronomiser and he said that i dont with the 127 mak, the image below was captured without and although there is room for improvment in the capture and processing i cant see the need for the filter. Correct me if i am wrong but with the filter fitted i will be loosing more light as i also use a 2x barlow lense which also cuts light out.

Regards

Ben

[Merlin66]

The IR blocking filter will not reduce the visible light. It just stops the out of focus red IR light from spoiling your image.

[bm1980]

The IR blocking filter will not reduce the visible light. It just stops the out of focus red IR light from spoiling your image.

so i should fit the filter, and will i see improvments in the image quality?

[Merlin66]

Generally yes. It will reduce the IR "bloat" in images.

[bm1980]

Thanks Merlin ,i will fit the ir filter on my next outing.

Regards

Ben

[Clayton]

Ben,

Have you found an improvement with the IR cut filter?