Standard filter for photographing the moon and planets with webcams
This filter is designed to block IR. This is the ideal filter for cameras that do not have significant UV sensitivity. These are primarily webcams, industrial cameras (Mintron, DMK without IR filter) and the LPI or DSI from Meade.
IR blocking prevents blurry ghost images. Since optical systems with at least one lens are usually only corrected for the visible spectrum, different focal points result for visible and infrared light, causing a blurred ghost image in addition to the actual image. Most webcams are also sensitive to IR, so you have to prevent them from capturing the blurred image by simply blocking it.
How it works
The purpose of the IR block filter is to adapt cameras without a built-in filter to the spectral sensitivity of the eye. This is necessary because most optical lens systems are corrected for the 400 to 700 nm range, which corresponds to human vision. Depending on the manufacturer, cameras have sensitivities between 380 and 1000 nm, which means that they also make the uncorrected areas in lens systems visible. The IR filter also offers protection against dust particles and airborne particles – like the MC clear glass – as neither of these restrict the visible spectrum in any way.
Tips and further information
As dust covers, e.g. for Schmidt-Cassegrain, Schmidt-Newton or digital SLR cameras.
Suitability of the filter
- Visual observation (country): Limited suitability, only as dust covers
- Visual observation (city): Limited suitability, only as dust covers
- Conventional film: Limited suitability, only as dust covers
- CCD astrophotography: Very good, when using optics that contain refracting optical elements
- DSLR astrophotography (unmodified): Conditionally suitable, only as dust covers
- DSLR astrophotography (astromodified): Conditionally suitable, only as dust covers
- DSLR astrophotography (modified with MC clear glass): Very good, when using optics that contain refracting optical elements
- Webcam / video (Planets): Very good, when used with optics that contain refracting optical elements
- Webcam / video (deep sky): Very good, when used with optics that contain refracting optical elements
Technical data for the filter
- The filter is suitable for use with all aperture ratios
- Transmission is typically 97-99%
- Homofocal with all other Astronomik filters
- Filter thickness: 1 mm
- Not sensitive to moisture, does not age, scratch-resistant
- Fine-optical polished carrier material
- The filter is supplied in durable packaging
