About this product
Much more than a simple minus-violet filter.
Based on the popular Baader Moon&Skyglow filter, the Baader Contrast-Booster takes contrast enhancement and skyglow reduction to the maximum level possible from a filter. Not only does this filter significantly enhance planetary and lunar contrasts, but it also eliminates the damaging blue defocused haze present in achromatic refractors. Gone are the annoying blue halo and obscuring haze that surround and smear resolution and contrast. Subtle contrasts and colours are boosted, while displaying the full resolution your scope is capable of.
The Contrast-Booster combines a special proprietary melt of Neodymium glass with a carefully designed 23-layer dielectric long-pass blocker on one face and a 7-layer ultra-low antireflection coating on the other face. By aggressively filtering out the defocused blue wavelengths, a light yellow tint is imparted to objects (noticeably less than a typical yellow filter). The special coatings enable over 95% transmission across key portions of the visible spectrum (including H-Alpha). This results in a filter that retains the colours and colour contrasts in tough subjects like Jupiter, without excessive image dimming. Cloud bands keep their ruddy red hues but show more contrast. The Great Red Spot becomes accessible. Planets and Lunarscapes are set against a jet-black sky. The Contrast-Booster is a must for Solar observing (with Baader Astro Solar).
As many users have found, this is an excellent filter for Mars! The views of Mars with all telescopes (including reflectors and apochromats) benefit from the RGB filtration plus blue blocking.
Combined with the Baader UV-IR Cut filter, the Contrast-Booster makes the ideal filter set for digital imaging. Rather than add the cost of additional IR filtration (only needed for digital imaging), the Baader Contrast Booster has been optimised for visual use. Digital imagers can simply add the Baader UV-IR Cut filter when needed. The true 1/4 wave fine optically polished surfaces guarantee the sharpness and contrast of the image.
Review from Astronomy Technology Today comparing the Baader fringe killer, semi-apo and contrast-booster filters.
Customer reviews
Average Rating (9 Reviews): | |
Baader Contrast Booster Filter 28 February 2024 | Darren
Yes it's expensive but the difference more than makes up for the price of these top quality filters, Fitted to a sky-watcher star travel 120 ota and it does make a real big difference when viewing.
Great delivery service and product 02 November 2023 | Susan
Thank you for a great product and the delivery service to me in Australia was excellent. DHL courier service excelled.
05 April 2023 | Andrew
A simple must have filter for any telescope user. Cuts chromatic aberration to zero with excellent light transmission. Purchased it for my Startravel 120 and made tons of difference to the image. Also says it can be used with my 200p reflector. Sadly, I now need to wait until later in the year for Jupiter and Saturn to be visible and in a favourable position. It will probably be cloudy when they are.
08 November 2022 | Peter
I bought this to see if it would reduce the colour fringing on my SW 120 Startravel refractor - it does! and has proven to be such a good addition to the telescope that I have left it permanently in place.
I should say that I am very happy with my SW achromatic refractor, it's only real drawback being the inevitable yellow/violet fringing present when viewing bright objects like the Moon, something which this (admittedly expensive) filter pretty-well eliminates altogether.
FLO's usual outstanding service means they are always my first choice for astronomy.
Peter
16 October 2022 | David
Nice filter! Brings out detail in Jupiter and Saturn's surface. Also has some IR/UV cut so works well with planetary cameras. Very happy with extra detail i am able to achieve. Superb service from FLO as always!
15 December 2021 | Ian
Bought this for the planets. Basically Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. I was pleased with the benefits i got, especially on Jupiter. Definitely a worthwhile addition to my filter collection. First class service from FLO
Baader contrast booster filter 07 December 2021 | Alastair
Wished I'd purchased this filter months ago. A beginner for nearly a year with a refractor telescope and what an amazing difference with the images that now have the chromatic aberration removed. The images are amazing especially with the Orion Nebula. Thanks FLO for the swift delivery and well packed as usual.
09 October 2020 | Nigel
I've only managed one observing session since the Baader Contrast Booster filter arrived so my impression may change in time. But, I'm impressed with this filter. I live in a Bortle 6 area which has recently taken out the sodium street lights and replaced with LED and this filter reduces considerably that white glow glow in the night sky. My targets have shown against a darker sky than normal. When viewing the moon I fancy the maria are more contrasty however the moon was near full at the time so this may change at other phases. So far I'd say it's a worthwhile purchase.
24 August 2020 | Joseph
Most useful filter..EVER ..IMHO..
MARS filter..
Testing the Baader Contrast Booster on my Apo and 6 sct brings out the Red Spot and Belts ESP FESTOONS clearer than the moon and skyglow..def helps contrast and bad seeing perfect for Mak and SCT uses who dont want too feel they've been robbed of some contrast due to central obstructions ..much better than that cheap green / yellow filter thats not as sharp, plus a much more NATURAL view!
PS:Also works a treat on bright doubles like Rigel helping to mitigate scatter, light flares up the lens and intensity of the Primary star so close faint companions can be seen ..I recommend this and maybe a yellow to help split some others like Antares even ...was marvelous on a mates achro (NO BLUE HAZE) and an ED on Mars..NO RED SPILLOVER That can happen with Mars!.
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