Optolong 2" L-eXtreme f/2 Dual-Band Filter - LXTF2-200

The Optolong L-eXtreme f/2 filter is another must-have addition to the incredible Optolong filter line! It will allow you to collect narrowband data using the fastest astrographs such as the Celestron RASA, Hyperstar systems, and fast Newtonians. With an Ha and OIII bandpass of 7nm, you can be sure that you're collecting high-quality Hydrogen Alpha and Oxygen III data emitted from emission nebulae.

When performing astrophotography with a telescope that has a fast focal ratio, it's crucial to consider the correct narrowband filters. Optolong has reinvented their ever-popular dual band filter, the L-eXtreme, by optimizing it to work with fast focal ratio systems. This prevents bandshift, the loss in efficiency through your filters, by consequently pairing a fast focal ratio system with filters of a narrow bandpass (3nm or 5nm). The Optolong 2" L-eXtreme f/2 filter renders light pollution a non-issue, and with its high-contrast and anti-haloing coatings, you are sure to capture absolutely stunning detail on emission nebulae as well as hydrogen alpha hotspots within other galaxies!

This single 2" filter offers plenty to be excited about. The light pollution blocking capabilities of the filter will increase the contrast of your images. The nebulae itself will be bright and vibrant against the dark sky background with pinpoint stars. With this filter, you can properly and efficiently photograph emission targets with ultra fast imaging systems.

Perfect for the Fastest Imaging Systems
The Optolong L-eXtreme f/2 is best suited for fast imaging systems with focal ratios of f/2 - f/3.6. This includes popular telescopes like the Celestron RASA, f/4 Newtonians with a focal reducing coma corrector, as well as imaging accessories such as the Hyperstar systems. A phenomenon called "bandshift" occurs when you pair a very narrow bandwidth filter with a fast imaging telescope. This results in a loss of data and signal! The Optolong L-eXtreme is optimized to prevent bandshift and give you high-quality sets of dualband data.

High-Contrast, Anti-Halo Coatings
The coatings on this 2" L-eXtreme filter are not only responsible for preventing bandshift but also to improve contrast and reduce haloing. When photographing deep space objects, strong contrast between the background and the nebula itself is crucial. In addition, it is inevitable that you will eventually run into some very bright stars such as Alnitak or Sadr. With low quality coatings, these can produce large, unattractive halos around the star itself. Optolong has nearly mastered the art of halo prevention with the L-eXtreme f/2 Dual-Band filter.

Reduces Light Pollution
Narrowband filters innately reduce light pollution by blocking the wavelengths of light emitted from street lights, porch lights, etc. and only allow for a specific bandwidth of light to pass through the filter. Hence the name - narrowband filter. Reducing and almost completely eliminating the effects of light pollution are going to drastically improve the signal to noise ratio in your image as well as the quality. Reduced light pollution means less required exposure time to create an image equal to one using a lesser filter with more exposure time.

Perfect for Emission Nebulae
Emission Nebulae such as the Orion Nebula, Pac Man Nebula, North American Nebula, Bubble Nebula, and the Veil Nebula emit a lot of light within a certain wavelength (Hydrogen Alpha and Oxygen III). The L-eXtreme f/2 lets only these wavelengths pass through to hit your camera sensor resulting in highly detailed images. Narrowband imaging through the L-Extreme is the best way to cut out light pollution, capture stunning details within emission nebula, and increase image quality when using a once shot color camera or a DSLR.