Light Pollution Filter: Parafocal With Zwo Rgb?

what light pollution filter is parafocal with zwo rgb filters

The ZWO LRGB filter set is a popular choice for astrophotographers seeking true-to-life colour reproduction in their images. The filters are designed to minimise light pollution, with a spectral gap that suppresses light pollution from sodium lamps and a precision off-band blocking feature. The ZWO LRGB filters are also noted for their high transmission rates, fine optical polishing, and anti-reflection coatings. While some users have questioned the parafocal nature of the ZWO LRGB filters, it is generally agreed that the filters are parafocal, with a thickness of 1.9+/-0.03 mm. This thickness contributes to the overall parafocal performance of the optical system.

Characteristics Values
Filter Set Premium LRGB Imaging Filter Set
Filter Size 2" Mounted
Filter Thickness 1.9+/-0.03 mm
Thread M48x0.75
Transmission Over 90%
Coating Anti-reflection coated on both sides
IR-Cut Built-in
Precision passbands Partially block light pollution from sodium lamps
IR blocking 700nm to 1100nm
Spectral "gap" Minimizes the effect of light pollution

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The ZWO LRGB 36mm filter set includes four unmounted filters

The ZWO LRGB 36mm filter set includes four unmounted 36mm filters for Red, Green, Blue, and Luminance. The filters are a great match for the ZWO five-position colour filter wheel. They are also compatible with any filter wheel that accepts 36mm unmounted filters, such as the ZWO EFW7. The ZWO LRGB 36mm filters have high transmission, with over 90% transmittance at pass-band, and are anti-reflection coated on both sides. They also feature IR-Cut to block infrared wavelengths from 700nm to 1100nm, eliminating the need for a separate IR-cut filter.

The ZWO LRGB 36mm filters are fine-optically polished to ensure accurate 1/4 wavefront, resulting in superior images. Additionally, they have a thickness of 2mm, making them more parfocal. This set of filters is designed to create beautiful, correct-colour images of planets and deep-sky objects when used with a monochrome astronomy camera. The precision passbands of the filters include a gap between red and green to improve colour balance and partially block the sodium line at 589nm, suppressing light pollution from low and high-pressure sodium lamps.

The ZWO LRGB 36mm filter set is an affordable option for those seeking to enhance their astrophotography. It is perfect for those using the ZWO EFW7 and similar filter wheels, providing high-quality images with accurate colour rendering. The filters' high transmission, anti-reflection coating, and IR-Cut capabilities contribute to their superior performance in minimising the effects of light pollution.

Overall, the ZWO LRGB 36mm filter set offers a great combination of features, including high transmission, anti-reflection coating, IR-Cut, and light pollution reduction, making it a valuable tool for astrophotographers looking to capture clear and accurate images of celestial objects.

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Precision passbands block light pollution from sodium lamps

The ZWO Premium LRGB Imaging Filter Set includes precision passbands that partially block light pollution from sodium lamps. The filters are available in 1.25" and 2" mounted sizes. The ZWO LRGB2 Filter Set includes four 2” mounted astrophotography filters that pass red, green, and blue bands of light, as well as the full luminance spectrum across the visible band. The precision passbands of the LRGB filters include a gap between red and green to improve colour balance and partially block the sodium line at 589nm to suppress light pollution from low and high-pressure sodium lamps. The blue and green filter passbands overlap slightly to include emission from OIII to help achieve a more natural colour when imaging nebulae.

The ZWO LRGB filters also block infrared wavelengths from 700nm to 1100nm, which means a separate IR-cut filter is not required. Each filter has a transmittance of at least 92% in the band and is optically polished to 1/4 wave to help achieve superior images. All surfaces have multi-layer anti-reflection coatings for increased transmittance and elimination of ghost reflections. The filters have a thickness of 1.9mm. This set is not suitable for imaging with DSLRs or one-shot colour astronomy cameras because they include a Bayer array to achieve colour images intrinsically.

The ZWO 36mm LRGB Filter Set includes four 36mm unmounted LRGB filters. Red, Green, Blue, and Luminance. They are a great match for the ZWO five-position colour filter wheel. The filters have high transmission (over 90%), are anti-reflection coated on both sides, and have IR-Cut built-in. The ZWO 36mm LRGB filter has better transmission, better coating, and better colour separation. It is fine-optically polished to ensure accurate 1/4 wavefront. More than 92% transmission at the pass-band. Infrared wavelength 700-1100nm cut-off. Precision off-band blocking. Multi-layers anti-reflection coating. Small spectral “gap” to minimize the effect of light pollution. More parfocal - thickness 2mm.

Broadband nebula filters generally pass light in a 50-70nm band in the blue-green part of the spectrum, including blue-green light from H-beta (486nm) and OIII (496nm and 501nm), while blocking light from sodium and mercury vapour lamps. Many such filters also pass light in the red portion of the spectrum, including H-alpha light at 656nm, although the human eye is not particularly sensitive at this wavelength. Because their passbands are in the blue, green, and red, all of these filters appear somewhat greenish-purple to the eye.

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IR blocking from 700nm to 1100nm eliminates the need for an IR-cut filter

The ZWO Premium LRGB Imaging Filter Set includes four 36mm unmounted LRGB filters: Red, Green, Blue, and Luminance. These filters are designed to be parafocal, with a thickness of 1.9+/-0.03 mm or 2mm. While some users have reported issues with the filters not being perfectly parfocal, it is more likely that this is due to other components in the optical system rather than the filters themselves, as 'parfocal' applies to the whole optical system.

The ZWO LRGB filters also feature IR blocking from 700nm to 1100nm, which eliminates the need for a separate IR-cut filter. Infrared (IR) light, spanning 700nm to 1000nm on the electromagnetic spectrum, is invisible to the human eye, but can be detected by camera sensors. An IR-cut filter is typically used to block IR light during the day to prevent distortion of image colours, ensuring true colour representation. By incorporating IR blocking into the LRGB filters, ZWO has eliminated the need for an additional IR-cut filter, simplifying the imaging setup.

The IR blocking feature of the ZWO LRGB filters ensures that only visible light passes through to the camera sensor during the day. This results in accurate colour reproduction in the images, as it mimics what the human eye would typically see. Without an IR-cut filter or IR blocking, infrared light would distort the colours in the image, making them appear unnatural.

In addition to IR blocking, the ZWO LRGB filters also offer precision passbands that partially block light pollution from sodium lamps while allowing OIII emission from nebulae to pass through. This results in more natural image colours. The filters also have high transmission rates, with >92% transmittance, and are fully multicoated to ensure optimum images.

Overall, the ZWO Premium LRGB Imaging Filter Set offers a comprehensive solution for astronomers and astrophotographers seeking to capture accurate and natural celestial images. By incorporating IR blocking from 700nm to 1100nm, ZWO has successfully eliminated the need for a separate IR-cut filter, streamlining the imaging process and enhancing the user experience.

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The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is for astrophotographers

The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is a high-end piece of equipment designed for advanced astrophotographers. The set includes four 2" mounted filters that pass red, green, and blue bands of light, as well as the full luminance spectrum across the visible band. These filters allow for high light transmission and minimal optical distortion, resulting in clear and bright celestial images. The L filter boosts resolution and contrast, while the R, G, and B filters provide detailed images of nebulae, comets, and planets.

One of the standout features of the ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is its ability to minimize the effects of light pollution. The filters include a precision passband that partially blocks light pollution from sodium lamps, while still allowing OIII emission from nebulae to pass through. This results in more natural-looking colours in the final image. Additionally, the filters have a built-in IR-Cut feature, eliminating the need for a separate IR-cut filter.

The ZWO LRGB 2 filters also boast excellent transmission rates, with over 92% transmittance at the passband. This, combined with their superior optical coatings and good colour separation, helps to create superior images. The filters are optically polished to 1/4 wave accuracy, ensuring sharp and detailed photographs.

Another advantage of the ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is its parfocal design. Each filter has a thickness of 1.9 +/- 0.03 mm, ensuring that they are all the same thickness and can be used interchangeably without the need for refocusing. This feature is particularly useful for astrophotographers who want to capture multiple images with different filters without having to adjust their equipment each time.

Overall, the ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is an excellent choice for advanced astrophotographers seeking high-quality, accurate colour images of celestial objects. With its ability to minimize light pollution, excellent transmission rates, and parfocal design, this filter set provides a comprehensive tool for capturing stunning images of the night sky.

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The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set has a thickness of 1.9+/-0.03 mm

The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is a premium 2” LRGB filter set for use with monochrome astronomy cameras. The filters are designed to be parafocal, with a thickness of 1.9 +/-0.03 mm. This thickness is important for achieving parfocal performance, as the filters need to be the same thickness as each other to work optimally. The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set also has precision passbands that partially block light pollution from sodium lamps, while passing OIII emission from nebulae to achieve a more natural image colour.

The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is ideal for use in ZWO manual and electronic filter wheels that use 2" filters mounted in cells with M48x0.75 threads. The filters have a transmittance of >92%, are polished to ¼-wave, and are fully multicoated to ensure optimum images. The set includes four 2” mounted filters that pass red, green, and blue bands of light, as well as the full luminance spectrum across the visible band.

By taking individual images with each of these filters and a monochrome astronomy camera, and then combining the separate images with standard processing techniques, you can create beautiful, correct-colour images of planets and deep-sky objects. The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set is designed to approximately equalize the sensor response of the ASI1600 monochrome camera, and the RGB colour combination is weighted to approximately 1:1:1 for accurate colour rendering.

The ZWO LRGB 2 Filter Set also blocks infrared wavelengths from 700nm to 1100nm, eliminating the need for a separate IR-cut filter. The precision passbands of the filters include a gap between red and green to improve colour balance and partially block the sodium line at 589nm, suppressing light pollution from low and high-pressure sodium lamps. The blue and green filter passbands overlap slightly to include emission from OIII, further enhancing the natural colour when imaging nebulae.

Frequently asked questions

The ZWO LRGB Filter Set is a set of four 36mm filters in red, green, blue, and luminance colours. The filters are designed to be used with monochrome astronomy cameras and are optimized for the ASI1600 camera.

The ZWO LRGB Filter Set has a transmission of over 90%, is anti-reflection coated on both sides, and has IR-Cut built-in. The filters are fine-optically polished to ensure accurate 1/4 wavefront and have a thickness of 1.9+/-0.03 mm, making them more parfocal.

The ZWO LRGB Filter Set minimizes light pollution by partially blocking the sodium line at 589nm, suppressing light pollution from low and high-pressure sodium lamps. It also features a spectral "gap" to further minimize the effect of light pollution.

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