What's your favourite general purpose filter?

[Andrew*]

You may choose two filters, but only if they are both in first place! If I've forgotten any just post them in this thread.

I realise the result may be biased by users like me who've only ever tried a small handful of filters and only know of the more commonly cited ones.

Andrew

[Astronut]

I can only vote for the only one I've got - Astronomik UHC. I've only had chance to use it briefly once since I got it so maybe I shouldn't have voted.

[iancandler]

I had an orion skyglow in 1.25" and though it did what it said on the box I wasnt that happy with it.

A little while ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a couple of lumicon deepskys (1.25 and SCT fit) in a sale and have never looked back since.. Theyre ideal for my smaller aperture scopes.

[John]

This is an interesting survey

I guess we do need to bear in mind that these filters don't all do the same job so it's not a straight "race" in that sense.

John

[acey]

Only filter I have is Lumicon UHC so I voted for that. For nebulas it's indispensible. Though the view of some bright ones (eg M42, Blinking Planetary) is better without.

[nitram100]

Just out of interest, has anyone tried the seben orbinar UHC and OIII filters?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orbinar-1-25-UHC-Filter-Deep-Sky-More-Contrast-New_W0QQitemZ380013190407QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380013190407

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orbinar-1-25-OIII-Filter-Deep-Sky-More-Contrast-New_W0QQitemZ380013188035QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380013188035

They're a very attractive price, how bad can they be?

[russ]

Just out of interest, has anyone tried the seben orbinar UHC and OIII filters?

Not tried them but at least his right up is honest and informative. Quite tempted to try an OIII in my 10".

For the purpose of this vote i've gone with the Baader Neodymium. You simply don't any more 'General Purpose' than this filter. I leave it in for almost everything.

Russ

[nitram100]

Quite a good description isn't it? I think i might order the UHC for my 10" Newt and then post a review.

In regards to this thread, i also use my baader neodymium more than any other filter, i couldn't see the GRS on Jupiter or Cassini division from my light polluted back garden until i used this filter.

[russ]

I've stuck both in my Ebay watch list. But i won't bid on the UHC

[nitram100]

I've stuck both in my Ebay watch list. But i won't bid on the UHC

8)

They've got loads anyway, i've been watching them for the last week and they just relist new ones when sold out.

[russ]

Excellent. My skies are quite poor, so it would be good to see what they can do to improve the view of certain targets. 10" aperture should be ample :sunny:

[Macavity]

Baader "Neodymium" and "Contrast" are quite similar - Except latter adds a bit o' "-Voilet" for achromats.

So I'll claim a (minor!) moral victory whichever of these wins...

[Andrew*]

Thanks for the great response guys.

Neodymium seems to take the lead!

Andrew