Light Polution filter for a 50mm DSLR lens?

[NeilFawcett]

I'd like to experiment with how much a light pollution filter would improve a telescope. I'm aware there's 2" light pollution filters for eye pieces, but I believe these will not fit on a traditional 50mm camera lens.

Is anyone aware if there's a similar filter as the Sywatcher 2" one (http://www.firstligh...ion-filter.html) but for a 50mm DSLR lens?

I just want to experiment (cheaply) to see how much such a filter would improve viewing at my location.

[JamesF]

I've just purchased step-down rings (two, one to fit the 58mm thread on the Canon kit 18-55mm lens and one to fit the 52mm thread on the 50mm f/1.8) together with a 2" Skywatcher LP filter. The rings step down to 48mm, which is the thread size on the filter. All from Brizzle cameras:

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-stepping-ring-52-48mm.htm

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-stepping-ring-58-48mm.htm

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-skywatcher-light-pollution-filter-2-inch.htm

Of course it's been cloudy since they arrived so I've not had the opportunity to test them, but if you'd like a pic with the filter in place I'm more than happy to do one.

James

[JamesF]

Should have said. Total cost for the filter, stepping rings and postage was just over £40.

James

[Keiran]

Thats the way to do it.... grab yourself a couple of stepdown tings, and then you can fit any 2" filters to your camera

[NeilFawcett]

I've just purchased step-down rings (two, one to fit the 58mm thread on the Canon kit 18-55mm lens and one to fit the 52mm thread on the 50mm f/1.8) together with a 2" Skywatcher LP filter. The rings step down to 48mm, which is the thread size on the filter. All from Brizzle cameras:

http://www.bristolca...ing-52-48mm.htm

http://www.bristolca...ing-58-48mm.htm

http://www.bristolca...lter-2-inch.htm

Of course it's been cloudy since they arrived so I've not had the opportunity to test them, but if you'd like a pic with the filter in place I'm more than happy to do one.

James

Think I follow...

OK, so you can basically get adapters to go between the camera lens filter thread and the 2" Skywatcher's thread? And the 2" thread is actually 48mm?

My two lenses are:-

- 52mm filter thread on a 50mm lens - http://www.kenrockwe...kon/5018daf.htm

- 67mm filter thread - http://www.kenrockwe...on/18-105mm.htm

So if I bought the Skywatchers 2" filter, what adapters would I need to get for my 52mm and 67mm camera threads? Would it be:-

- To allow me to put the Skywatcher filter on my 50mm lens - http://www.bristolca...ing-52-48mm.htm

- To allow me to put the Skywatcher filter on my 67mm lens I'd need to use the previous adapter in conjunction with this one too? - http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_cp_ph_0

I assume the 67mm lens would be impinged quite a bit.

[JamesF]

OK, so you can basically get adapters to go between the camera lens filter thread and the 2" Skywatcher's thread? And the 2" thread is actually 48mm?

Exactly so, and you have the correct choice of step down ring for the 50mm lens too.

It does look a bit more involved for the 67mm lens thread though whilst it looks like your proposed solution would work I agree that it may not be the greatest idea for a lens that size. On the other hand, to try it is £2 plus the postage

It is possible to get some filters as just an unframed square of coated glass, but even then I'm not sure they're big enough to give a clear view through the larger diameter lens.

James

[devilgas]

not sure if you are using a canon dlsr, however astronomik do a range of clip in filters - http://www.astronomi...ter-system.html for canon EOS dslr's.

they are fitted into the camera, so can be used with lenses and scopes with very little faff. iirc, FLO stock these filters.

[NeilFawcett]

not sure if you are using a canon dlsr, however astronomik do a range of clip in filters - http://www.astronomi...ter-system.html for canon EOS dslr's.

they are fitted into the camera, so can be used with lenses and scopes with very little faff. iirc, FLO stock these filters.

Nikon

[Black Knight]

Aha! An inexpensive way of using my 2" LP filter on my Canon!

[NeilFawcett]

Aha! An inexpensive way of using my 2" LP filter on my Canon!

Will be interesting to see how much of my local light pollution can be cut away.

[Black Knight]

Will be interesting to see how much of my local light pollution can be cut away.

I currently use mine attached to my coma corrector (and Canon DSLR). Works quite well for the sodium lighting we are afflicted with here. Tends to add a bit of a colour cast, but that is relatively easy to sort out in post-processing . Using it with my Canons kit lens will be a new trick for me!

[NeilFawcett]

I currently use mine attached to my coma corrector (and Canon DSLR). Works quite well for the sodium lighting we are afflicted with here. Tends to add a bit of a colour cast, but that is relatively easy to sort out in post-processing . Using it with my Canons kit lens will be a new trick for me!

Well, like I said, I want to get a feel for how much my local light pollution can be reduced with such a filter. I'm looking to buy a telescope but obviously don't want to get one only to discover light pollution severely hinders me.

I also like doing time elapsed exposures of the sky with the DSLR, so once again, if the filter helps improve the exposure, great!