Astronomik CLS filter - with and without

[MintMark]

I took these a couple of weeks ago but only just got round to posting them, sorry about that :oops:

It's a comparison to show the effect of the Astronomik CLS filter. The images are just 15s at f2.8 ISO 800. I picked the most light polluted part of my sky, just above the roof line :) These images were taken 10 minutes apart.

You can see that the filter gives a much darker image with much less red. This is just as well since red is blown out in the non-filtered image. The filtered image has more stars visible and allows for longer exposures before the histogram reaches the middle of the graph. The histogram peak is narrower too, indicating less gradient. The gradient is still there though, so you still have to do some processing to flatten the sky intensity.

The clip filter itself is in a round metal frame which is sprung and fits into a recess in front of the camera's mirror when you have the lens off. It is quite a tight fit which means you have to apply some force get it in properly, and you might need to (carefully) use a tool to lever it out afterwards. Hopefully this will get easier with time.

The clip filter fits most Canon crop sensor cameras. Their website doesn't mention the 7D... I would be interested to know if it fits. It doesn't work with full frame cameras and it doesn't work with EF-S lenses. For me, it means I can't use it for very wide shots... perhaps an excuse to look for another lens.

Of course I have used the filter with a darker part of the sky and the longest exposure I have attempted is 3 minutes. The histogram reached almost half way, so that is probably the limit for my back garden. One day I'll process those images and post the result :)

[VIGER]

Way to Mark! Thanks for doing the test.

[troypiggo]

Good result and thanks for testing/posting.

[VIGER]

We need more guys like you.

[Celestron]

Nice test Mark . I didn't realise the problem with installing and taking it out tho .

[Adrena1in]

...it doesn't work with EF-S lenses.

Good comparison shots there. I must give mine a try on the horizons from my site, as they're terribly light polluted.

And yes, it's a pest they don't work with the EF-S lenses. I might have to hunt for a wide-angle or fisheye EF lens. ;)

[Celestron]

I might have to hunt for a wide-angle or fisheye EF lens. ;)


When you find a good one you have a sweet lens for sure ! Lot's ppl doesn't realize how good a FE can be . I haven't got one but someday maybe :( .

[MintMark]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone :) I didn't mean to abandon my thread... I've been playing with a new toy (telescope!). I'll just leave that hanging there ...

Anyway, I think a wide angle option to replace my 10-22 might be a tokina 11-16. It's supposed to have chromatic aberration, but maybe it won't be so bad. Other than that I looked at the 17-40L, but it's not that wide really with a crop sensor.

I'm working on another image taken at the same time as these. It actually shows some red nebulosity! I'm finding it hard to do fine adjustments to the curves in pixinsight LE... maybe I'm being too fussy. It's just that one small slip of the mouse on one of those control points and the pixels are everywhere!

I'll try and finish the image and post it. Then I'll take a picture of my new toy for you... of course I have questions to ask too :)

[beeng]

Oooh awesome :D I thought about getting one of these until I realized it wouldn't fit the 1d :(

[Adrena1in]

... new toy (telescope!). I'll just leave that hanging there ...Waiting to hear...

...replace my 10-22Careful, I regretted selling mine...

[VIGER]

I realized it wouldn't fit the 1d
__________________


Yep and I my 5D.
Bummer.

[troypiggo]

Might only be the Canon 10-22 that doesn't fit FF cameras. Could be Sigma, Tokina, and Tamron ultra-wides that do work.

[jblaschke]

Might only be the Canon 10-22 that doesn't fit FF cameras. Could be Sigma, Tokina, and Tamron ultra-wides that do work.

Canon's EF-S lens is designed to not mount on full frame bodies. Many of the Sigma, Tok and Tammy ultrawides are "digital only" in that they're designed for crop bodies, but unlike the EF-S, they can mount on the full frame cameras. Only they produce a heavily vignetted image circle rather than a full frame image. If you're fine with that, great. Otherwise, you might be better off hunting for a fast prime...

[VIGER]

The filter wont fit FF chambers of the 5d and 1D - no room it seems.

[beeng]

I've also been looking into that too Viger, and our only option seems to be gels style inserts :\

[foxtrot01]

Does anyone know if the clip-in filters will work with 3rd party UWAs like the Tokina 11-16mm? I know they won't with Canon EF-S lenses, but what about other manufacturers "digital" crop body lenses?

[jsigone]

the EF-s lens has an extra step where it meets the body. If you have a Tonika already, just compare it to the kit lens.

[foxtrot01]

The problem is that I don't have the Tokina yet, I'm just considering buying it. Is anyone out there using it for AP?

[jsigone]

a friend has one, he uses to for landscaping with an astro background. IMO too wide to point straight up.

[troypiggo]

I don't have a Tokina 11-16, but looking at the photo on this page: http://www.tokinalens.com/products/tokina/atx116prodx-b.html it does appear to project into the body similar to what the EF-S lenses do. I could be proven wrong, but if you intend to use it with a clip in filter, I'd stay away. If you don't absolutely need to use a clip in filter, no drama.

[foxtrot01]

Great. Thanks for the feedback!

[MintMark]

Just hang on a few days! I've been asking this question all over the forum for months without a firm answer. I even tried taking the back off my 10-22 and using that with the clip in filter... it kind of works at 22 but any wider and the corners distort badly. I think the rear element gets too close to the filter, even though they don't touch.

Anyway, I've found a place to rent the Tokina 11-16, so I'm doing that over Christmas. Of course I will try long exposures at 11mm with my Astonomik clip filter. I'm pretty sure it will physically fit, but I want to find out whether the corners will be OK.

I've asked Santa for some clear nights...

[weeatmice]

There is no 77mm version of this filter? The clip version is only compatible with APS-C :(

[hollis_f]

Does anyone know if the clip-in filters will work with 3rd party UWAs like the Tokina 11-16mm? I know they won't with Canon EF-S lenses, but what about other manufacturers "digital" crop body lenses?

I've just bought one of these clip-in filters and I'm pleased to say it does work with the Tokina.

My view North towards Gatwick Airport...

http://www.frankhollis.com/temp/LightPollution-1.jpg

And, with the Astronomik filter...


http://www.frankhollis.com/temp/LightPollution-3.jpg

And, with the White-Balance corrected...

http://www.frankhollis.com/temp/LightPollution-2.jpg

[Mark Brim]

I've just bought one of these clip-in filters and I'm pleased to say it does work with the Tokina.



]

Camera settings for those images?

[hollis_f]

Camera settings for those images?

Damn! I forgot to change my LR settings back to include Exif!

They're shot with a Tokina 11-16 @ 11mm, exposure was 30s, f2.8, ISO1600.

[Joe929]

What a difference that filter makes. I was contemplating getting Astro tools as they have a filter for light pollution, however, getting rid of a majority of it from the start looks as though it is a better option. I like the the appearance of the second shot best. Using the filter also brought out the plane streaking across the sky, maybe not a good thing :lol:, but it allows the camera to pick up fainter objects.
Joe

[Joe929]

Also, what filter did you purchase to use with the Tokina?

[Joe929]

I see that you most likely purchased the Canon EOS clip after some quick research. I do have one more question, with the clip in place, can you still use a T mount to hook the camera to a telescope? Thereby eliminating the need to purchase a second filter for Astro photography through a scope instead of an UWA lens? Thank you for your time.
Joe

[cyberon]

From the Astronomik website, you can use the clip in filter with your T adaptor.

http://www.astronomik.com/en/eos_clip-filters.html#Anchor-Question-3604

[naddieuk]

I was thinking of getting one of these, then I noticed that it does not like EFS lenses. That includes the kit lenses, right? This severely limits my choices then. :(

[cyberon]

All EFS lens sticks out and hit the clip in filter, so cannot be used.

[jsigone]

I was thinking of getting one of these, then I noticed that it does not like EFS lenses. That includes the kit lenses, right? This severely limits my choices then. :(


works well w/ the nifty fifty:cool:

[naddieuk]

works well w/ the nifty fifty:cool:

Thanks, I will look into that. :)