Re: [APML] H-alpha solar photography nightmare

["Bert Katzung" <katzung1@attbi.com>]

Hi Steve:
That's interesting! Now that their website is closed I can't go back there
to check it out so can you tell us more about it?
Bert

Bert Katzung
katzung1@attbi.com
www.astronomy-images.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sky Optics" <sbarnes@skyoptics.net>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2002 3:33 PM
Subject: RE: [APML] H-alpha solar photography nightmare


> Hello,
>
> Lumicon did make a solar H-alpha filter for observing
> prominences only. It is safe and intented for solar viewing (if used
> properly).
>
> Steve Barnes
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-astro-photo@seds.org [mailto:owner-astro-photo@seds.org] On
> Behalf Of Emmanuele Sordini
> Sent: October 6, 2002 5:33 PM
> To: astro-photo@seds.org
> Subject: [APML] H-alpha solar photography nightmare
>
> Hi everybody,
> here comes a report of my troubles with a Lumicon H-alpha filter (which,
> by
> the way, has nothing to do with Lumicon going down the tubes). Some days
>
> ago, I met with a friend of mine in an attempt to use his Lumicon filter
>
> for observation and photography of solar prominences and the like.
> We used a 102-mm Vixen achromat refractor, for which an adapter was made
> to
> fit the IR prefilter on the objective lens, which is conceived for a 8"
> SCT. Here are my first use impressions:
>
> 1) The Sun looks like a very bright red fireball, too bright for anybody
> to
> tell such elusive features as prominences. Probably the filter is made
> for
> photographic use, not visual.
> 2) Focusing is, as usual, a pain in the butt, even with my Nikon F3
> equipped with D red-dot focusing screen and DW-4 magnifier.
> 3) Needless to say, we didn't notice any prominence whatsoever, even
> adjusting the filter tilt. I saw breathtaking pictures of the solar
> chromosphere but I've actually seen no hint of anything through that
> filter. Perhaps should the bandpass be even narrower?
>
> So here come my questions:
>
> A) Are any structures supposedly visible with an H-alpha filter so
> difficult to find? I have a hunch we should have used a high
> magnification
> (i.e. 100x at least) and should have carefully scanned all the Sun
> border
> for something. Am I correct?
> B) Is focusing the same as deep-sky of regular solar photography?
> C) Are there any special tricks that I am not aware of, or is the filter
>
> out of order (which I strongly doubt)?
> D) What can be seen/shot through those filters?
> D) How does the Lumicon compare with other competing products (Daystar,
> Coronado,...) as to usability and performance?
>
> I apologize for my long post but I am in dire need of answers. Any help
> will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance and clear skies,
>
> Emmanuele Sordini
>
>
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