Light polution filter for nocturnal cityscapes - any pointers for WB, PP, etc.?

SSGGeezer · 07-22-2018, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

But hey, I could be talking out the back of my behind for all that I know... now how polite was that version.

Turn around Mr. K! The Red enhancer works a treat if you have sodium lighting ruining your dark skies when you want to shoot some astro. I don't know about the high priced versions in the OP's post but the simple Hoya Red Enhancer improves how much contrast you get when the sky isn't quite as dark as you want due to cities and neighbors with security lights.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-22-2018, 10:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

Turn around Mr. K! The Red enhancer works a treat if you have sodium lighting ruining your dark skies when you want to shoot some astro. I don't know about the high priced versions in the OP's post but the simple Hoya Red Enhancer improves how much contrast you get when the sky isn't quite as dark as you want due to cities and neighbors with security lights.

Sounds almost like the old days of black and white, when a red filter gave you black skies.

Evie · 07-23-2018, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Madaboutpix

Hey, quite a few reactions to my original post. Definitely thanks to everyone for contributing and providing perspectives so far.

Not that much love for and some reservations about the somewhat pricey dedicated light pollution filters, it seems. Suggestions regarding cheaper alternatives such as Hoya's Red Enhancer / Intensifier. And now - admittedly after some googling - I even learnt what the Bortle scale refers to ...

I remain curious, though, what Rollei's Astroklar will actually give me in the field and in post. If anything forum-worthy comes of it, I shall be back with images.

We will be waiting for samples!

A lot of filters shows what waves do they filter out, but I did not find for this one filter to compare.
For example, Hoya Red Intensifier:

Pure Night:

Astronomik CLS filter:

Not all filters provide transmission data, but if you check, most of them covers the same wavelength (+-). So this is the reason I went with the cheapest one, Hoya Red Intensifier. But it would be interesting to compare the results side by side. Though it is full moon, I might try taking my own sample shots on Wednesday, they forecast a clear evening and night.

Also, there is an Astrophotography group in Pentaxforums

for like-minded.

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07-22-2018, 06:42 PM	#16
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by Kerrowdown But hey, I could be talking out the back of my behind for all that I know... now how polite was that version. Turn around Mr. K! The Red enhancer works a treat if you have sodium lighting ruining your dark skies when you want to shoot some astro. I don't know about the high priced versions in the OP's post but the simple Hoya Red Enhancer improves how much contrast you get when the sky isn't quite as dark as you want due to cities and neighbors with security lights.

07-22-2018, 10:55 PM - 1 Like	#17
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,815	Originally posted by SSGGeezer Turn around Mr. K! The Red enhancer works a treat if you have sodium lighting ruining your dark skies when you want to shoot some astro. I don't know about the high priced versions in the OP's post but the simple Hoya Red Enhancer improves how much contrast you get when the sky isn't quite as dark as you want due to cities and neighbors with security lights. Sounds almost like the old days of black and white, when a red filter gave you black skies.

07-23-2018, 08:34 AM	#18
Evie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 121	Originally posted by Madaboutpix Hey, quite a few reactions to my original post. Definitely thanks to everyone for contributing and providing perspectives so far. Not that much love for and some reservations about the somewhat pricey dedicated light pollution filters, it seems. Suggestions regarding cheaper alternatives such as Hoya's Red Enhancer / Intensifier. And now - admittedly after some googling - I even learnt what the Bortle scale refers to ... I remain curious, though, what Rollei's Astroklar will actually give me in the field and in post. If anything forum-worthy comes of it, I shall be back with images. We will be waiting for samples! A lot of filters shows what waves do they filter out, but I did not find for this one filter to compare. For example, Hoya Red Intensifier: Pure Night: Astronomik CLS filter: Not all filters provide transmission data, but if you check, most of them covers the same wavelength (+-). So this is the reason I went with the cheapest one, Hoya Red Intensifier. But it would be interesting to compare the results side by side. Though it is full moon, I might try taking my own sample shots on Wednesday, they forecast a clear evening and night. Also, there is an Astrophotography group in Pentaxforums for like-minded.

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