Which H-alpha filter

[John78]

Im in the market for a H-alpha filter, 1.25" mounted as a present for myself , I have budgeted £100 for said filter and after looking around there are a multitude of options.

Skywatcher - 35?nm, £50
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-sky-watcher-1-25-inch-hydrogen-alpha-ccd-filter/p1537409?mkwid=sdpkaijch_dc&pcrid=89741440259&kword=&match=&plid=&product=1537409&gclid=cjwkeaiavztcbrdvnooaoa2j3xisjabxpjn93uzsmyc9ppti0xokdf5eugitac3jdxl0u-6jwlebeboc0qfw_wcb

Baader - 35nm, £67
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/narrowband/baader-narrowband-ccd-emission-line-h-alpha-filters-125.html

Altair Astro - 7nm, £85
https://www.altairastro.com/Altair-Astro-Premium-Narrowband-7nm-Ha-CCD-Filter-1.25.html

Astronomik - 12nm, £96
http://www.tringastro.co.uk/astronomik-h-alpha-12nm-ccd-125in-filter-4131-p.asp

ZWO - 7nm, £103
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/products/filterfilter-wheel/zwo-narrowband-1-25-filter/

Baader - 7nm, £105
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/narrowband/baader-narrowband-ccd-emission-line-h-alpha-filters-125.html

 

The 35nm Baader and Skywatcher don't look like candidates when the 7nm's are pretty close in price, the Astronomik 12nm seems expensive - but how does it perform?  The ZWO looks to be identical to the Altair except the branding and I'm pretty sure the Baader 7nm is well respected - and also the most expensive which isn't necessarily a problem.

 

There really doesn't seem to be much I can find online regarding reviews or comparisons on the available filters - its probably quite subjective and quite dependent on far too many variables also, so what are peoples general thoughts??  At the minute my imaging options are a 130PDS or a 200mm F4 SMC Takumar lens if that makes any difference to the selection process?

[steppenwolf]

For your budget, the Baader 7nm is hard to beat but any 1.25" filter will only be suitable for sensors up to the size of a KAF 8300 sensor (22.48mm diagonal) - this will not be suitable for a DSLR camera without some fairly heavy vignetting - not totally unusable but challenging!

[Adam J]

Totally depends on the camera, what are you using?

[Thalestris24]

Hi

I've fitted a 2" filter to the front of my Takumar 200mm via an adapter. Similarly via the 130pds Baader MPCC Mkiii cc.

Louise

[SonnyE]

I use the Badder HA7nm, in 1.25" myself. I have confidence in Badder products.

I didn't know squat about it, but a friend uses one and recommended it because my interest is toward Nebulae, and particularly the red ones.

It's the only HA I have, and so far I've been very happy with the results I get with it.

My main imaging camera is a color CCD. (Orion G3)

[newbie alert]

Baader have a good reputation on filters..and the astronomik clip in filters have had positive results...just got to decide which bandwidth you want to shoot at and your cameras capabilities might be the decider..

[iwols]

do you use the ha filters seperate to lrgb or inline with them and what instance would you need the ha cheers

[John78]

So at the minute I'm just experimenting with an ASI120MM but will get something better in the new year...

The sensor size comment I think I should be OK, best case I'll buy an ASI1600MM which happens to be the FW and filters I already have and worst case I'll buy a 314L second hand when one comes up.