Fitting filters to canon 15x50is binos

[Stu]

This may be a crazy idea but I wondered about the possibility of fitting filters, OIII or UHC-S to my Canon 15x50is binoculars.

I have 2" filters, and understand that the Canons have 58mm threads. Does anyone know where I could get a step down ring to give this a go, and which size I would need, 58mm to 50mm?

Any comments or help appreciated.

Stu

[misterp]

Hi Stu,

No advice but maybe Bristol Cameras

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/c-step-down-rings.htm

Hope that helps

Ian

[BinocularSky]

Does anyone know where I could get a step down ring to give this a go, and which size I would need, 58mm to 50mm?

Try http://www.srbfilm.co.uk/ -- if what you want is not a stock item, they will almost certainly be able to make one for you.

[Stu]

Many thanks both. Ended up getting the step down rings from SRB and two 58mm Canon lens caps from Bristol Cameras.

I needed 58mm to 48mm step down rings and they fit very well, and hold the filters perfectly. Will mess around with neodymium and UHC-S and see what it does.

Thanks

Stu

[Pingster]

Cant wait to hesr about your first light.

[Stu]

Me too, but it's going to have to wait until after full moon which is swamping everything.

I tried briefly with a neo filter one side and UHC-S the other. Was surprised how little it dimmed the view on the UHC-S side so will do some experimenting and see what works best. Am just hoping that they may be useful to take to a dark site when a scope is not possible.

Stu

[Stu]

Have posted this elsewhere, but thought I would update this thread too.

I've just tried the binos with one OIII and one UHC-S filter which is all I've got currently. It's a lovely night out there but no chance to get the scope out unfortunately.

After only about 15 mins dark adaptation I managed to see the Eastern Veil with averted vision. Pretty chuffed really because with better night and at a darker site it means that the filters are worth using. Just scanning around the sky showed decent contrast and better viewing generally.

I also picked up M57 and M27 which I've not looked at in binos before.

Generally quite pleased with the results

Cheers

Stu

[alan potts]

58mm is a camera filter thread size you can buy step up and dowm adapters but I have never seen to a 50mm thread size, the camera thread near to this is 49mm and it easy to get your hands on.

Alan.

[Moonshane]

nice one Stu

I bet this would be good for NA neb too?

[Stu]

Thanks Alan. It turned out I needed 58mm to 48mm step down rings which work very well with the 2" filters.

Shane, I'll definitely be giving that a go from PSP assuming we have some decent skies. I thought I glimpsed it from Dorset without the filters but wasn't exactly sure of the scale I was looking for, I understand it is huge. I definitely saw brightening in the sky background in the right area.

Stu

[Moonshane]

Hi Stu

It's large but not overly so. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America_Nebula I fit about half of it in my 6" newt and 32mm plossl in N Wales. It's very obvious indeed with good skies and an Oiii.

[Stu]

Sounds like a good one to try then. I think my binos have a 4.5° field if I remember correctly, should be plenty I guess.

Stu

[chuenmanc]

Interesting! Was it this item? http://www.srb-griturn.com/stepping-ring-58mm-lens-thread-to-48mm-accessory-size-2115-p.asp

[Stu]

Yes, that's the one

Stu

[chuenmanc]

Thanks may give this a try too!

[Stu]

Good stuff. I've certainly found it has an effect and am looking forward to trying from a nice dark site. I originally intended to get another OIII or UHC-S filter so they were matching pairs but it actually seems to work quite well with the mix. If I'm feeling rich I may get one in a while.

Stu