SolarChat!

I am trying to image the sun in WL using a standard DSLR and Nikon 600mm telephoto lens. I have experimented with a Baader ASTF white light solar filter, but (naturally) the results are not up to the quality of others I see on this forum. I have read that when using the Baader filter, adding their Solar continuum filter and IR cut filter will enhance contrast and sharpness significantly. I understand why this works, but I don't think there is an easy way to add these two filters to my system as they are designed for astronomical telescopes and not DSLR lenses. I thought I could find an IR cut filter that could be added, however. My question is this: Would adding the IR filter alone make any discernible improvement? I have attached a sample photo. This is the best I have managed with just the simple gear I have.

Randall Benton

Wow! I think what you have got is already possibly the best you can, these are really crisp!

I have no idea what aperture a 600mm lens has but I think the limit for seeing solar granulation (resolved) is around 80-100mm aperture.
You will need to take maybe 100-500 shots then stack them in Autostakkert 2 and then sharpen them, this will make the biggest difference. However I think you may be doing this already as the images are very sharp, well done
Alexandra

Totally agree with Alexandra. There is a marginal improvement in contrast with IR cut, UV cut, Continuum but cheaper and massively more useful is stacking a series of single shots (maybe not as many as she says would still work, I have tried 10 or 20 and it is worth doing) from a camera using Autostakkert or Registax. (Both free to download)
Nice shots
Robert