Sunocular, Green filter

Use this section to discuss "standard" Baader/Coronado/ Lunt SolarView/ Daystar, etc… filters, cameras and scopes. No mods, just questions/ answers and reviews.
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Jordan Konisky
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Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Jordan Konisky »

Looking forward to receiving my new Lunt 8X32 Sunocular (yellow), Oberwerk 4000 tripod and binding strap in the next week or so.

Am wondering, has any added a green filter to the Lunt Sunocular? And if yes, how was this accomplished?

Jordan


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I have never tried adding green filters to the SUNoculars. My guess is that they would best be added over the objective filters. I never thought about it, they work good as they are but a green filter would probably increase contrast a bit.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Montana »

I would see what you think first, they work great as they are. If you have a green filter then hold it up to the eyepiece and see if it makes much difference, if not, no need to worry about it :) If the Sun came out today I'll try with my Continuum filter and see, I reckon it would be so dark it wouldn't be worth it.

Alexandra


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

Hi all.

I've added a green filter over the objectives of the sunoculars. These are just cheapo 'broad band' green filters for a camera lens, nothing special about £10 from Ebay for both. I made a gasket from sticky back foam tape that means I can take them on and off, but I leave them on.

The sunoculars are great without them, and i'm certainly not criticising them, I can see a slight red top edge and blue bottom edge to the sun, which I think is commensurate with a hundfred buck pair of achromatic binoculars. With the green filters this is reduced but not removed (the green filters are definitely not narrowband like a continuum filter!).

I'd be tempted to try continuum filters with them, but 2 x 2" continuum filters here in the UK is >£300.

I feel my cheapo green filters help a bit with contrast, but is not night and day. For me the biggest improvement in image is holding them steady, either jamming elbows on a fixed surface or mounting them on a tripod.

I do keep an eye on the second hand market for 2" continuum filters and at the right price I would buy them to swap for the cheapos i'm currently using. Like has been said green filters are not essential, it's just my obsessive fiddling and modding :lol:

With or without i'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with them Jordan.

Mark


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Mark,
It’s interesting that you made them work with the green filters. Yeah I think the more narrowband 540nm filters would remove the CA completely.

Still they work well without them.

James.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Jordan Konisky »

Mark,

A few days ago I sent you a PM email via the forum about setup, but it is no longer relevant so no need to respond. I will have a look using my continuum 540 nm. Will use my BINOS to compare view plus/minus the filter. However, I’ve had contract surgery on my right eye and a maturing cataract in my left eye so who knows what I will see. Yes, I know. Need to try the 540 in each eye. Will let you know of anything interesting.

All the best to all for a great 2023.

Jordan


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

Forgot to mention, the other thing that has become a permanent fixture on my sunoculars is a 'bino-bandit' glare blocker

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-Bandit- ... 4RN8Q?th=1

This I whole heartedly recommend...


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

marktownley wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:32 am Forgot to mention, the other thing that has become a permanent fixture on my sunoculars is a 'bino-bandit' glare blocker

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-Bandit- ... 4RN8Q?th=1

This I whole heartedly recommend...
Those would be useful!


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
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Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Jordan Konisky »

Already have the Alpine Bino-Bandit and have found it to be quite helpful. James worth the small investment.


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

As a 'development' here, I bought 2x Svbony 2" 0III filters yesterday - they were on amazon here for half price at £49.99 each, so couldn't resist a bargain! They have an 18nm bandpass.

When the arrive and I get to try them I will report back on how they work...


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Mark,
How are you going to attach them to the SUNocular objectives?

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
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Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 4:56 pm Mark,
How are you going to attach them to the SUNocular objectives?

James
Probably gaffer tape :lol:

I'm going to take a look tonight.


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

marktownley wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 6:31 am
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 4:56 pm Mark,
How are you going to attach them to the SUNocular objectives?

James
Probably gaffer tape :lol:

I'm going to take a look tonight.
You will figure it out, I am sure. You are a great tinkerer. Those filters should eliminate the CA and improve contrast even if the color seems unnatural. It took me some time to get used to the bright green of the 540nm filter. A friend of mine thinks it's atrocious!

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
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Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
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Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

Gaffer tape worked...

Image20230123_204301 by Mark Townley, on Flickr


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

A Lunt SUNocular mod!! Cool. :cool:

OIII filters. That's around 500nm right?

They look cool with the Bino Bandit shades and filters. Keep us posted on how the filters do on them.

Didn't you try a PST Ha bino mod once?

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

I've tried a binoviewer with a PST before but wasn't really for me.

In other news I have got to test the OIII mod this morning. I was doing Sunday morning chores, and while emptying the vacuum cleaner into the rubbish bin outside from what had been flat grey sky, breaks started to form. Chores on hold and I went to get the sunoculars. Stood in the back doorway, with my elbows jammed either side into the door frame I took a view.

There were no issues of transmission or image brightness, indeed the sky never properly cleared with high cloud always present and low level cloud scudding across the view. In a clear blue sky the image will be brighter still. There are reflections from the filter, like with a double stack Ha etalon, but twisting the filter in it's gaffer tape housing threw the reflection sufficiently. I could get a clear sharp focus on the limb despite less than ideal conditions, however was not able to see the sunspots. Looking at a web view shows todays spots were all pretty small, probably on the limit of visibilty in ideal conditions with the sunoculars, let alone in todays semi cloudy skies.

So, first impressions are very promising and certainly will be using again, hopefully next time in blue skies!

Mark


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Hopefully you’ll get some spots big enough to see next time. I bet there is no trace of chromatic aberration.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Jordan Konisky »

Mark, looking forward to your next impression. We got 8 inches of snow last night and a predicted temp of 0 F for tonight and -11 F for tomorrow night.


Jordan -
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Jordan Konisky wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 1:27 am Mark, looking forward to your next impression. We got 8 inches of snow last night and a predicted temp of 0 F for tonight and -11 F for tomorrow night.

WoW, that's cold. You will be able to do a snowlar observing session!


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Jordan Konisky »

:D


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SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
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Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by Jordan Konisky »

Here is my tripod setup for my Lunt Sunocular. The critical connector between my Oberwerk 4000 tripod and the Sunoculars is the SNAPZOOM universal binocular tripod mount that I purchased from B&H in the USA for $24.95. Also shown is the Alpine Products Bino-Bandit glare guard mentioned by Mark which cost $19.95.

Image
Image


Jordan -
SkyWatcher ED100 Refractor with Diamond Steeltrack Crawford Focuser
Celestron CG4 Equatorial Mount
Daystar Quark H-Alpha Chromosphere
Lunt CaK B1800 Filter Module
Lunt White Light Solar Wedge
ZWO ASI174MM, ZWOASI1600MM Cameras
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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by marktownley »

Both make quite a difference to vanilla hand holding...


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Re: Sunocular, Green filter

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Awesome upgrades on the Lunt sunnies Jordan.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

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