TEST IDAS NB12 FILTER WITH 40MM LENS

Date: 2 December 2022

INTRODUCTION

The IDAS NB12 filter is a dual-band nebular enhancement filter that transfers OIII and H-alpha emission lines with a bandwidth of 12 nm in each band.

It should be noted that Full Spectrum cameras must additionally use an IR/UV cut filter such as IDAS HEUIB-II or any other IR/UV cut filter.

One of the most interesting features of the NB12 filter is to be able to use a short focal length together with a very open aperture, such as F2. Retaining a transmission of more than 85%. With other filters the transmission in the same conditions barely exceeds 50%.

This filter is available in M48 (for telescopes) and DR format (for Canon R cameras and EF lenses).

For my astromodified Canon R6 I will use the DR version together with the Talampas adapter, which allows easy insertion of the filter.

EDIT

Now that we know what can we achieve using NB12 with a single shot, let’s test it with 30 minute exposure time and the same settings above mentioned. We will then use Photoshop and the Art Panel Pro plug-in to stack, remove stars, separate channels and add them back together.

The resulting photo is the sum of channels and histogram stretching in each channel.

CONCLUSION

The test I have done shows how amazing this filter is. Being useful even in places with a lot of light pollution or moonlight.

As a conclusion I would say that NB12 filter exceeds my expectations.

All advantages:

-Faster capture session (Transmission over 85% at F2).
-Use of short focal lengths.
-It can be used with light pollution.
-You don’t necessarily have to made a mosaic.

For Landscape Astrophotograpgy, this filter is a revolution. Before testing NB12 filter, I needed to take many shots, use longer focal lengths and use a mosaic technique. Now, it is possible to save time and not worrying about light pollution or moonlight.