Favorite filters for visual observing?

[Muriel Dulieu]

I’m learning more about filters and would love to hear what people actually use at the eyepiece. If you have time, I’d be interested to hear:

• Which filters you own
• Which ones you reach for most often
• What kinds of targets you tend to use each on (planetary nebulae, emission nebulae, galaxies, etc.)
• And whether there are particular brands or specific models you feel make a real difference

I usually observe with a 10” Dob under Bortle 3 skies.

Thanks in advance!

-Muriel

[John Pierce]

i had accumulated a pile of filters, but really only used 2 on a regular basis...

1) an ND moon filter

2) a NPB nebula filter from DGM Optics.

the NPB filter is a H beta + O-III in one.    It makes nebulas like the Veil pop.   When you see color photos of the Veil, for instance, there's both O-III areas normally shown in bluegreen, and H-alpha areas normally shown in red.   Where there's H-alpha, there's also H-beta.    if you use a O-III filter, you only see those areas, and not the H rich areas, while the NPB lets you see both.  Same for regions like M8, the Lagoon Nebula, etc.

[Alex]

After getting dark adapted well enough throughout the night session, I'm starting using the Astronomic UHC on emissive nebulae (486nm (H-beta), 496nm (OIII), 501nm (OIII), and 656nm (H-alpha)) and strictly maintaining the adaptation (e.g. refraining from viewing bright targets until I'm done with my nebulae list). Would highly recommend it for emissive nebulae. 

Some color filters are helpful with planets, but that's more like for `technical` goals. But you need good quality ones to avoid image degradation.
A quality ND filter for the Moon is a good idea at 10"+, though you could go with the higher magnification instead and/or by scheduling its observing well before or after DSO gazing. As even with the ND its light is immense at 1:5.

[Ted Hauter]

I have several but only like the one version of 80A for Jupiter. 

They mostly degrade the image.

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[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Hey Muriel. For planetary nebulae and emission nebulae, I use both an OIII filter and an Ultrablock (same idea as an NPB or a UHC, with thru-put for both OIII and H-beta). Depending on the object, they each will get variously fancy results.

To my knowledge, galaxy filters or deepsky flters are a polite scam. Galaxies radiate across our visual spectrum.

As with other astro gear, mooching views is a fine idea. Check out other people's filters with your eyepieces.

[Ted Hauter]

Best $10 I ever spent*. Absolutely phenomenal color correct views that tried to bring out C14 detail in my Tele Vue 85mm. Enough said.

*Note: I  bought two. One was accidentally a blue filter in an 80A housing so I returned and bought another one and it was correct so careful of that. A simple mistake.  This 80A is a light blue with a slight gray tint that will look quite different from the standard stock blue one.

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[Ted Hauter]

It also looks different from other 80As.

[Tim Lorz]

Thanks for opening the topic Muriel! I have a filter for Emissions nebulae that I picked up from Orion years ago, but hardly use since it reduced the amount of light coming through that my eyes had a harder time seeing things to begin with. 

Ted: I am looking at the ICE 80A you recommended. I have a more tactical question: Would it make sense to get the 2" versions so that I can just swap out my eyepieces in my 2" to 1.25" adapter without needing to adjust filters?

Thanks,

Tim

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[Ted Hauter]

Hi Tim,

With Jupiter or all the bright points of light out there it is best to binoview planets if one is able as the view will be dimmed splitting the light to both eyes plus on bright objects and many dim objects can add significant detail to the image.

These are all 1.25 size as far as I know currently. I know Denkmeier was working on a two inch binoviewer years ago as got a peek at the prototype but not as yet.

That said sometimes two inch eyepieces can also provide a better view. I am starting to believe Mars in 2 inch might be better. My best view was 2 inch but I'm not so sure.

I'm a bit extreme when it comes to these choices. I believe there is one eyepiece(s) out there that will work best in a given scope. Everyone sees differently and this is one of the great topics today.

I was pushing for correct image eyepieces for years. Even the great Uncle Al, did not want to go there, things better left unsaid, understandably. (rip)

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[Mark Wagner]

I don't think Muriel was asking about colored filters.

I find most useful for deep sky: OIII, NPB and UCH types, and occasionally the H-Beta.

Of the UHC types, I have both Lumicon and Orion.

I will want to get an H-Beta soon, but it seems rather limited in applicable targets.

The NPB is my most used filter.

Mark

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-- 
Mark

[Muriel Dulieu]

Thanks for all the comments. I am looking specifically at filters to look at nebulae under bortle 3 sky. I am thinking of getting a UHC filter, and maybe a O III filter and a H-Beta filter as well.

I have been reading a lot about Lumicon UHC, DGM NPB, Astronomik UHC and Tele Vue Bandmate Type II nebustar UHC. Do some of you own all these and have compared them? Any advice on choosing?

Thanks

-Muriel

On Nov 12, 2025, at 3:10 PM, Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:



I don't think Muriel was asking about colored filters.

I find most useful for deep sky: OIII, NPB and UCH types, and occasionally the H-Beta.

Of the UHC types, I have both Lumicon and Orion.

I will want to get an H-Beta soon, but it seems rather limited in applicable targets.

The NPB is my most used filter.

Mark

On 11/12/2025 11:29, Ted Hauter wrote:

Hi Tim,

With Jupiter or all the bright points of light out there it is best to binoview planets if one is able as the view will be dimmed splitting the light to both eyes plus on bright objects and many dim objects can add significant detail to the image.

These are all 1.25 size as far as I know currently. I know Denkmeier was working on a two inch binoviewer years ago as got a peek at the prototype but not as yet.

That said sometimes two inch eyepieces can also provide a better view. I am starting to believe Mars in 2 inch might be better. My best view was 2 inch but I'm not so sure.

I'm a bit extreme when it comes to these choices. I believe there is one eyepiece(s) out there that will work best in a given scope. Everyone sees differently and this is one of the great topics today.

I was pushing for correct image eyepieces for years. Even the great Uncle Al, did not want to go there, things better left unsaid, understandably. (rip)

On Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 11:17 AM Tim Lorz <tim....@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for opening the topic Muriel! I have a filter for Emissions nebulae that I picked up from Orion years ago, but hardly use since it reduced the amount of light coming through that my eyes had a harder time seeing things to begin with. 

Ted: I am looking at the ICE 80A you recommended. I have a more tactical question: Would it make sense to get the 2" versions so that I can just swap out my eyepieces in my 2" to 1.25" adapter without needing to adjust filters?

Thanks,

Tim

On Wed, Nov 12, 2025 at 11:08 AM Ted Hauter <thgo...@gmail.com> wrote:

It also looks different from other 80As.

On Tue, Nov 11, 2025, 5:42 PM Ted Hauter <thgo...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Richard Navarrete]

I use uhc, oiii, and npb. I’ll often try all three and see which gives the best view. I’ve heard good things about the Nebustar, but have never observed with one.

Richard 

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[Muriel Dulieu]

Thanks Richard! Which brands are they?

-Muriel

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 28, 2025, at 9:42 PM, 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 I use uhc, oiii, and npb. I’ll often try all three and see which gives the best view. I’ve heard good things about the Nebustar, but have never observed with one.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/1225780979.2573600.1766986926236%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Jacob Ellwood]

Lumicon, Astornomik, & Televue UHC filters are all good. The DGM NPB is similar to a standard UHC filter with the extra Hb line. 

Like Mark, the NPB is my most used filter (80% of the time I'm using a filter)

Just buy a reputable brand such as the ones you mentioned. An Orion Ultrablock used could be a good find too (as a UHC filter).

In order of preference for deep sky:

UHC

OIII

H beta (the horsehead filter)

In my opinion,  I think everyone needs a UHC(or NPB) filter, the rest are just nice to haves.

I also enjoy really enjoy the planets. And have found the Baader "Moon & Skyglow" to really enhance the view of Jupiter. And the Baader "Contrast Booster" great for Mars. And a good old yellow #8 for Saturn. On the best nights no filter is best for planets, but I have enjoyed the different views with these filters when really studying the view.

Try out others at the next star party. If im there you can try mine.

-Jake

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[Richard Navarrete]

Orion uhc, lumicon oiii, DGM npb.

Richard

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.

[Muriel Dulieu Holzer]

My conundrum is the following. Please correct me if you know about this, or if you want to add something.

From what I read the DGM NPB and Astronomik UHC filters let the h-alpha lines, O III lines and H-Beta lines through, while the Tele Vue bandmate type II Nebustar UHC and Lumicon UHC only let the O III and H-Beta lines through not the h-alpha lines (red). 

So I was wondering if I want to see the h-alpha lines. From what I read, our yes can see the h-alpha lines as deep red which is why with some filters, the stars appear deep red. But the h-alpha lines from the nebulae are pretty faint so our eyes don't pick up on them very well and they appear more light grey. 
On one hand, I was thinking that it would be best to see all emissions from the nebulae and get all colors including red. On the other hand, if the h-alpha lines appear more grey they might drown the O III and h-beta lines a little bit which would offer less contrast and details. 

Anyway this is what I was wondering about, I am sure all these filters are very good. The DGM NPB is 30% cheaper, so that is a good argument for it. 

Thank you all for your help, I might ask to take a peak in your telescope at the next star party when you are using your filters.

[Brad Templeton]

Since the two lines are very close, can you discern the colour difference with your eyes between them, or do they both look the same?  Not that it's bad to see both as the same, better than not seeing the H-beta.