Great video - pretty clears up my mind as to the go/no-go upgrade from an L-Extreme to L-Ultimate! Would very much like to see PI processing videos for the Bubble and Thors Helmet. A belated Happy New Year!!
Both are beautiful images and the filter did a great job. I had the L-eNhance and L-eXtreme filters but the halos were more than I could handle, although, I understand some people have versions with very limited halos. Your technique of removing the halos worked a treat so it just goes to show that in the right processing hands, halos are not necessarily an issue.
Thanks Logan! My L-Extreme was pretty good on halos. I know a lot of folks ran 2 inch filters in front of the reducer/corrector. I always wondered if filter location in the image train impacted halos.
I've been using the Ultimate for about a year with an f/4 10 inch [1 000 mm] scope - love the results from my Bortle 6 location. But yes, the halos and reflections are clearly evident [Alnitak, I'm looking at you...] With that exception, I think the filter gives stunning results and I'd highly recommend it.
Great video James, I think Optolong filters do seem to suffer a little from halos! My L Extreme has bad halos on bright stars! I guess it would push the price way up though, if it were completely halo free! The L Ultimate does look like a good filter! You did a great job on processing the halos out👍 Great job, clear skies!
Interesting. I know that Optolong makes a "F2" version of the L-Extreme. I didn't think the L-Ultimate would work with hyperstar. Good to hear that it's working for you.
Thank you for the review. I also shoot from Bortle 5-6 skies and I found that if I went to 10 minute subs, the L-Ultimate performed far better then the L-Extreme. Far better being defined as about twice the nebulosity captured during the 10 minute exposure. Obviously your mileage may vary.
Love this James! Love to see both workflows if you are bored 🤪 Do you have any experience with the Antlia filters (Quadband for OSC)? I dont have any filters as yet and have the same camera 533MC pro so wondered which would be more beneficial? I'm in bortle 5 too. That being said, the Optolong Ultimate does look like a good option. Cheers Si
Thanks! I have not had a chance to try out the Antlia filters. The Antlia quadband filter looks to be a more of a light pollution filter than a narrowband filter. If you're wanting to take narrowband images then something like the L-Ultimate would be better. I don't think B5 requires a light pollution filter.
@@DSOImager That’s what I thought. Assume the 1 1/4 inch would be good to use with the 533MC and my Askar 65PHQ? When would you choose a 2 inch filter? Using a larger sensor like a 2600 ??
I'm in bortle 8-9. I have an L-enhance. $220. I wonder if L-ultimate is worth it. I've been using my ZWO ASI533MC , and filter for 10 months or so. I'm older, so time isn't on my side. Need to decide I guess, if it's worth it.
I would love it if Optolong came out with an L-Extreme S with SII in it.7NM would be fine to start with. Or if they came out with a O+SII to pair along with the L-Extreme and L-Ultimate.
I would use them only to capture the Ha signal (maybe the O3 on bright galaxies like M33). Then use that collected Ha data to combine with broadband data for a HaRGB image.
Interesting looking filter.
Indeed!
Great comparison James Thors helmet turned out a treat, hope you have a happy new year & clear skies
Thanks Tich, happy new year and cs!
great images and great filter comparation. Love that Thor's helmet :)
Thanks Antonio!
Thank you for this detailed comparison and review, much appreciated!
Thanks for watching!
Great video - pretty clears up my mind as to the go/no-go upgrade from an L-Extreme to L-Ultimate!
Would very much like to see PI processing videos for the Bubble and Thors Helmet.
A belated Happy New Year!!
Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well!
Thank you for the review and comparisons! 🔭
My pleasure!
Both are beautiful images and the filter did a great job. I had the L-eNhance and L-eXtreme filters but the halos were more than I could handle, although, I understand some people have versions with very limited halos. Your technique of removing the halos worked a treat so it just goes to show that in the right processing hands, halos are not necessarily an issue.
Thanks Logan! My L-Extreme was pretty good on halos. I know a lot of folks ran 2 inch filters in front of the reducer/corrector. I always wondered if filter location in the image train impacted halos.
I've been using the Ultimate for about a year with an f/4 10 inch [1 000 mm] scope - love the results from my Bortle 6 location. But yes, the halos and reflections are clearly evident [Alnitak, I'm looking at you...] With that exception, I think the filter gives stunning results and I'd highly recommend it.
Alnitak, ruining astrophotography since 1888! lol
I have the L-Ultimate and didn’t have any problems with HH but I’m at F4.8 so that could be why maybe because a little slower 🤷🏻♂️
Great video James, I think Optolong filters do seem to suffer a little from halos! My L Extreme has bad halos on bright stars! I guess it would push the price way up though, if it were completely halo free! The L Ultimate does look like a good filter! You did a great job on processing the halos out👍 Great job, clear skies!
Thanks Simon! I never noticed bad Halos with my L-Extreme. That said I don't recall using it on targets with really bright stars.
I use the Lultimate in my v4 hyperstar on my c11 it works great..
The lextreme I use on my other c11 with .7 reducer.
Interesting. I know that Optolong makes a "F2" version of the L-Extreme. I didn't think the L-Ultimate would work with hyperstar. Good to hear that it's working for you.
Looks a good filter James I think the Antlia filter does a better job with the Halos but this still looks a capable filter.
Clear skies
Good to hear. Antlia also has a Sii/Oiii filter.. I bet that one works real well with the Ha/Oiii one for SHO.
Thank you for the review. I also shoot from Bortle 5-6 skies and I found that if I went to 10 minute subs, the L-Ultimate performed far better then the L-Extreme. Far better being defined as about twice the nebulosity captured during the 10 minute exposure. Obviously your mileage may vary.
Thanks Wayne! That does make sense that a longer exposure would be needed with the narrower bandpass.
Love this James! Love to see both workflows if you are bored 🤪 Do you have any experience with the Antlia filters (Quadband for OSC)? I dont have any filters as yet and have the same camera 533MC pro so wondered which would be more beneficial? I'm in bortle 5 too.
That being said, the Optolong Ultimate does look like a good option.
Cheers Si
Thanks! I have not had a chance to try out the Antlia filters. The Antlia quadband filter looks to be a more of a light pollution filter than a narrowband filter. If you're wanting to take narrowband images then something like the L-Ultimate would be better. I don't think B5 requires a light pollution filter.
@@DSOImager That’s what I thought. Assume the 1 1/4 inch would be good to use with the 533MC and my Askar 65PHQ? When would you choose a 2 inch filter? Using a larger sensor like a 2600 ??
I'm in bortle 8-9. I have an L-enhance. $220. I wonder if L-ultimate is worth it. I've been using my
ZWO ASI533MC , and filter for 10 months or so. I'm older, so time isn't on my side. Need to decide I guess, if it's worth it.
It will block out a lot more of the light pollution vs the L-Enhance. I suspect on most emission targets it will do a better job.
I would love it if Optolong came out with an L-Extreme S with SII in it.7NM would be fine to start with.
Or if they came out with a O+SII to pair along with the L-Extreme and L-Ultimate.
Yes! When Optolong reached out to me I did give feedback on a possible sii/oiii filter. Would make a lot of sense.
@@DSOImager please pressure them to allow you to be one of the first reviewers...
@@allenbaylus3378 Will do :)
How do you think the L-Extreme and L-Ultimate stack up for broadband galaxy targets?
I would use them only to capture the Ha signal (maybe the O3 on bright galaxies like M33). Then use that collected Ha data to combine with broadband data for a HaRGB image.
Which should i buy for my C8 HD with x0.7? Extreme or ultimate. The scope got aF7 ratio and i live in a B7
I would go with the ultimate. Since getting the Ultimate myself there is no reason for me to run the extreme.