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Antlia Quad Band Light Pollution Filter - 2"
Antlia Quad Band Light Pollution Filter - 2"

Antlia Quad Band Light Pollution Filter - 2"

by Antlia
SKU ANT-QUAD-2
CA$281.00 - CA$281.00
CA$281.00
CA$281.00 - CA$281.00
CA$281.00
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  • Passes four key nebula bands: H-alpha, S-II, O-III, and H-beta
  • Peak transmission of >92% for critical emission lines
  • Broad bandpass designed to cope with faster optics up to f/2
  • Cuts out most of the orange-yellow light from 589nm and part of the blue light from LEDs
  • Adds high transmission in the near-infrared (NIR), plus the near-ultraviolet (NUV)
  • 2mm +/-0.05mm optical substrate with Lambda/4 or better transmitted wavefront
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Antlia Quad Band Light Pollution Filter - 2"

    The Antlia Quad Band Light Pollution Filter is a light suppression filter for color and monochrome cameras, with >92% peak transmission of the main H-alpha, S-II, O-III and H-beta emission lines. Its broad bandpass is designed to cope with faster optics up to the f/2 focal ratio, and its 2mm optical substrate has a transmitted wavefront of Lambda/4 or better. By cutting out most of the orange-yellow light from 589nm and part of the blue light from LEDs, it is able to shoot most deep sky objects from a Bortle 8 location to Bortle 1.

    A Quad-Band Filter for Bortle 8 Skies: >92% Emission Line Transmission

    With peak transmission above 92% for H-alpha (656.3nm), S-II (671.6nm and 673.1nm), O-III (495.9nm and 500.7nm) and H-beta (486.1nm), and 92% for NII (654.8nm and 658.3nm), the high transmittance of the main emission lines enhances signal-to-noise ratio and contrast. The filter can shoot most deep sky objects, such as galaxies, reflection nebulae, emission nebulae and star clusters, from a Bortle 8 location to Bortle 1.

    Capturing the Full Spectrum: Visible and Near-Infrared (NIR) Signal

    The Antlia Quad Band adds high transmission in the near-infrared (NIR) region, as well as the near-ultraviolet (NUV). This takes advantage of the high quantum efficiency of the latest cameras in the NIR, a region less susceptible to artificial light pollution. Certain full-spectrum objects, like the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83), possess significant signal in the NIR, so you can possibly capture them with more contrast under light-polluted conditions.

    • Camera Compatibility: The filter is more suitable for cameras with AR protective glass, which capture both NIR and visible band signals. With UV/IR cut protective glass, the visible band signal is retained, but the IR cut limits your ability to capture targets with infrared signal.

    Designed for Fast Optics up to f/2: Lambda/4 Wavefront

    Antlia gave the Quad Band filter a broad bandpass designed to cope with faster optics up to the f/2 focal ratio. Fast optics shift a filter's passband, and a broad bandpass tolerates that shift better than a narrow one. The single, non-glued optical substrate has a transmitted wavefront of Lambda/4 or better and parallelism of less than 30 arcseconds.

    • Mechanical Design: Housed in Antlia's ultra-thin, black anodized, laser engraved 2" (M48x0.75) cell, designed to minimize vignetting by maximizing the clear aperture. The substrate is 2mm +/-0.05mm thick.

    Antlia Quad Band vs. Dual-Band Filters: A Wider Range of Targets

    Dual-band filters that pass only H-alpha and O-III are made for emission nebulae. The Antlia Quad Band passes the main emission lines plus NUV and NIR light, and it makes it possible to shoot over 95% of deep sky objects, including galaxies, reflection nebulae and star clusters.

    • Dual-Band Advantage: A narrower passband generally gives a darker sky background on emission nebulae.
    • Antlia Quad Band Advantage: By passing more of the spectrum, including the NIR, the Quad Band filter covers more target types from a light-polluted site. The added short-wavelength transmission makes good color balance easier to achieve.

  • What makes the Antlia Quad Band filter different from a typical broadband light pollution filter?

    The Antlia Quad Band filter passes the main emission lines (Ha, SII, OIII, Hb) with high transmission (>92%), plus NII at 92%, and adds transmission in the near-infrared (NIR) and near-ultraviolet (NUV) regions. This spectrum design improves signal-to-noise ratio and contrast by capturing signals in the visible bands and the NIR, while maintaining good color balance.

    Will the Antlia Quad Band filter work with my f/4 telescope?

    Yes. Antlia designed the broad bandpass to cope with faster optics up to the f/2 focal ratio, so an f/4 system is within that range.

    Can I use the Antlia Quad Band filter to image galaxies like the Whirlpool (M51) from the city?

    Yes. The filter can shoot most deep sky objects, including galaxies, from a Bortle 8 location to Bortle 1. Certain full-spectrum objects like M51 and M83 possess significant signal in the near-infrared (NIR), so you can possibly capture them with more contrast under light-polluted conditions, provided your camera does not have UV/IR cut protective glass.

    Do I need a special camera to use the Antlia Quad Band filter?

    No special camera is required: Antlia designed it for both color and monochrome cameras. It is more suitable for cameras with AR protective glass, which capture both NIR and visible band signals. With UV/IR cut protective glass, the visible band signal is retained, but the IR cut limits your ability to capture targets with infrared signal.

    Why is the Antlia Quad Band filter not recommended for visual observation?

    It is designed as a light suppression filter for color and monochrome cameras, and night visual observation is not recommended. Part of its design, the NIR transmission, is aimed at camera sensors and adds nothing the eye can see. Never look at the Sun with this filter, as serious eye damage will result.

    How does the Antlia Quad Band filter handle modern LED light pollution?

    The filter cuts out part of the blue light from LEDs, along with most of the orange-yellow light from 589nm. White LEDs emit over a broad spectrum, so no filter removes all of their light.

  • Filter Type Quad band anti-light pollution filter
    Recommended Cameras Color and monochrome cameras with AR protective glass
    H-alpha Transmission >92% @ 656.3nm
    S-II Transmission >92% @ 671.6nm & 673.1nm
    O-III Transmission >92% @ 495.9nm & 500.7nm
    H-beta Transmission >92% @ 486.1nm
    NII Transmission 92% @ 658.3nm & 654.8nm
    Additional Transmission Near-Ultraviolet (NUV) and Near-Infrared (NIR) regions
    Light Pollution Suppression Cuts most orange-yellow light from 589nm and part of the blue light from LEDs; usable from Bortle 8 to Bortle 1
    Blocking ≥OD4 @ 300-1050nm
    Recommended f-ratio Designed to cope with optics up to f/2
    Filter Size 2" Mounted (M48x0.75 threads)
    Filter Thickness 2mm +/-0.05mm
    Substrate Optical, single / non-glued substrate
    Transmitted Wavefront Lambda/4 or better
    Parallelism < 30 arcsec
    Surface Quality 60/40 (S/D) per MIL-O-13830
    Not Recommended For Solar imaging, night visual observation

    • Antlia Quad Band Light Pollution Filter - 2"

      × 1

    • Protective case

      × 1

  • This product is covered by Antlia's 3-year warranty against delamination.

    Warning: Do not look at the Sun with this filter. Serious eye damage will result if you fail to observe the warning.