Shooting narrowband with a DSLR?

[Black Knight]

... using a 1.25" filter wheel and Baader narrowband filters. Would it work? I would expect quite severe vignetting, but is there anything else I would need to think about?

[Merlin66]

Yes, it will work.

The resolution will be restricted by the Bayer filter matrix in the DSLR.

[Black Knight]

Yeah, I'd thought of that. And obviously the sensor isn't as sensitive as a CCD, but I have these filters knocking around, so I thought I might give it a go. Assuming I can get focus, that is ...

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[Digz]

Id be interested to see the results, Im intrigued how narrow band on a DSLR will work and how effective it would be.

[JCJC]

It's definitely possible to do narrowband. I used a 2" Ha filter IC1805 - Heart Nebula Not exactly sure why but don't tend to see too much OIII or SII stuff with DSLR, maybe they're significantly less sensitive. Ha seems quite common to do though.

May as well give the 1.25" filter a go

Jordan

[Merlin66]

Sometimes those wavelengths fall " through the cracks" - the dips between the RBG Bayer matrix filters....bumma.

[Digz]

Pretty impressive Jordan.

Without trying to go to OT and get away from the original thread, but will this only work with a modded DSLR? I ultimately plan to get a dedicated CCD but whilst I save and learn the ropes I can possibly start to invest in narrowband filters and try them out on my D200.

[JCJC]

Hi Digz,

hmm, the reason people mod the DSLRs is too increase the Ha sensitivity. Not exactly sure how much it increases it, but, it is a lot. You could try it, it might be better though to save the filter money and get the CCD earlier.

It will work, but exposures will need to be longer/more of them to get the equivalent lack of noise and 'deepness' in an image.

Jordan

[Black Knight]

It's definitely possible to do narrowband. I used a 2" Ha filter IC1805 - Heart Nebula Not exactly sure why but don't tend to see too much OIII or SII stuff with DSLR, maybe they're significantly less sensitive. Ha seems quite common to do though.

May as well give the 1.25" filter a go

Jordan

Wow, Jordan, that's really good! Definitely gonna give this a go now .

Digz, when I get the chance (and the weather behaves ), I'll post my pics.

Jordan, I know you used 20 minute subs for your Heart Nebula image, but do you have a sense for how much extra exposure time might be required to do Ha using a DSLR?

[Merlin66]

Modding the DSLR typically improves the response to Ha by up to 50-80%!

Still, it's only one pixel in four.....

[Black Knight]

Modding the DSLR typically improves the response to Ha by up to 50-80%!

Still, it's only one pixel in four.....

True. I guess that makes the pixel count of my 500D 1188x792. Worth a go I think though, given what Jordan managed above.

[JCJC]

Hi Andy,

Definitely worth a go! Shorter exposure times should be fine, the longer the better really, up to a point. Tbh, 20mins is pushing it noise wise with DSLR, 5 or 10mins is good. The night I took that was particularly cold and helped reduce the noise, your 500D should be better there though

Jordan

[Black Knight]

Thanks Jordan. Can't wait to give this a go now .

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