Filters. Any good for general viewing?

[M.]

Just been doing some reading up on filters as I'm thinking of investing in a set this weekend.

I was just interested in seeing what you guys reckon to the use of filters for general viewing, do they really make that much difference?

Also, is generic non branding just as good, or "you get what you pay for" apply here.

I was thinking TS optics or similar.

What do you use?

[Guest CodnorPaul]

I wouldn't personally bother with coloured filter sets - they did very little if anything for me and I much preferred the unfiltered view from dark skies.  Now a neodymium filter is useful when viewing from anything other than completely dark skies, mine lives in the EP then, and also good for Mars.  And I also find my UHC-S filter good on nebula when you do get under really dark skies - they don't do that much from my back garden but get to Kelling Heath or Belper and they come into their own.  Either way don't expect miracles from them - they certainly help in the right conditions, but you cant beat a really dark sky

[M.]

I was thinking just the slightest improvement for Saturn ring observation would be well worth it, also it adds another element to the hobby.

I've got a bit of spare cash for this weekend, just uncertain what to buy.

Thanks for your comment, retailers do sex them up as being a must have it seems.

[Doc]

I have used filters in the past to view planets and they do help, the ones to try are:

 

23A or 25 light red filter is great for bringing out contrast between the light and dark  areas on Mars. It also darkens the blue sky background making it easier to see Venus in the daytime.

 

56 or 58 light-green filter brings out the great red Spot and cloud bands on Jupiter.

 

80A  blue filter may let you see high clouds near the limb of Mars, and can bring out detail in the belts and oval clouds of Jupiter. If you have a big telescope, this filter may also let you see some detail in the clouds of Venus at high magnification.

[+Ibbo]

I have used coloured filter for planetaary viewing and for me they worked

 

I also have a couple I use with the 300mm dob UHC and an O3 maily

[Tweedledee]

Here are some brilliant resources for the usage of nebula filters...

http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/8655-filter-performance-comparisons-for-some-common-nebulae/

 

Nebula filters tend to be more effective on scopes with more light gathering power. I gather that unless you are lucky enough to have really dark pollution free skies, nebula filters are generally best on scopes larger than 8". Though it is certainly worth a try using filters with your scope especially if you get out to a dark site.

 

Somewhere on this forum I'm sure I've seen a similar resource for the use of colour filters to bring out planetary detail. Hopefully someone else will link to it for you.

 

Here is a .pdf I've just found which might be useful regarding planetary filters...

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CE0QFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fproject-nightflight.net%2Fcolor_planetary_filters_small_telescopes.pdf&ei=P6OVVbrEIOS6ygOrtJG4Ag&usg=AFQjCNFNX5bIoBzNQ_SameLSR9J4u4O8Ag&bvm=bv.96952980,d.ZGU&cad=rja

[M.]

Thanks guys.

I have a better idea of what to get now.