Filter suggestion

[Kenboy]

Hi all

Looking for a filter suggestion for imaging DSOs in Bortle 5 skies 

I have an Astro modded Canon 550d +  canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 STM prime lens on a SA star tracker. 

Budget is < £100, any cheap filter that would bring about more DSO detail? 

thanks!! 

[Kenboy]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Svbony-Pollution-Broadband-Astronomical-Photography/dp/B07GB3QFTK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35V84CNR2GS93&dchild=1&keywords=astrophotography%2Bdslr%2Bfilter&qid=1612021571&sprefix=astrophoto%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-3&th=1

is the above a good idea? 

[discardedastro]

I'd avoid the no-name stuff from Amazon. Pretty dubious in terms of what you're getting.

The challenge with your budget is that when imaging with a prime lens/bigger sensor like you've got there the cost will normally be much higher than 1.25" filters etc - filter cost broadly scales as a function of coated area!

I'd save your money, wait a bit, and get an IDAS D1 or D2 in EOS body-mount format (though check the 550d can take these):

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/light-pollution-reduction-imaging/idas-body-mounted-filters-for-canon-eos-aps-c-and-rp.html

These will be much much better filters, a bit more robust, and crucially generally result in a much reduced colour cast than cheaper filters.

[tooth_dr]

6 hours ago, Kenboy said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Svbony-Pollution-Broadband-Astronomical-Photography/dp/B07GB3QFTK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35V84CNR2GS93&dchild=1&keywords=astrophotography%2Bdslr%2Bfilter&qid=1612021571&sprefix=astrophoto%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-3&th=1

is the above a good idea? 

Svbony is a budget brand but not unknown in the astro community.   As said above hard to know for sure the quality, it might be ok (but probably not brilliant to be honest).

Second hand clip filters do appear regularly on here for sale so there is potential for one to pop up.

But I agree with discarded astro, wouldnt spend £80 on the one above.

 

[rickwayne]

I agree that the best strategy is to wait until you can afford one of the really good ones. In fact you might want to look into one of the dual- or tri-band narrowband filters, people have reported some very good results with those and you already have an Ha-compatible camera. I have shot narrowband literally under streetlights with reasonable results (e.g.).

In the meantime, if light pollution troubles your images, you might want to look into upping your gradient-reduction chops in whatever software you use to process. I mean, no offense if you've already mastered that, but that's where I would go first. I've gone back to some of my old LP-sodden images with my newer skills and software this year and markedly improved them.