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Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter
Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter
Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter
Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter

Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter

by Daystar Filters
SKU DAY-DSZTCP
CA$2,093.00 - CA$2,093.00
CA$2,093.00
CA$2,093.00 - CA$2,093.00
CA$2,093.00
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  • Transforms Canon or Nikon SLR lenses into a Hydrogen-Alpha solar telescope
  • Optimized for high-contrast views of solar prominences
  • Internal Fabry-Perot etalon with USB-powered heating
  • Integrated telecentric lens system ensures a flat, evenly illuminated field
  • Accepts 1.25" eyepieces or camera bodies for flexible viewing
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
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  • Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter

    The Daystar Camera Quark Prominence Solar Filter transforms your standard Canon or Nikon SLR lens into a dedicated Hydrogen-alpha solar telescope. This all-in-one unit houses a precisely tuned Fabry-Perot etalon and an optimized telecentric lens system, placing high-contrast views of solar prominences within reach of your existing camera gear. Simply attach the Camera Quark between your lens and camera body to begin exploring the dynamic, ever-changing limb of the Sun.

    H-Alpha Solar Imaging with Your Canon or Nikon Lenses

    The Camera Quark leverages the investment you've already made in your photographic equipment. By attaching to the bayonet mount of your telephoto or zoom lens, it provides a direct, secure optical path for H-alpha observation. This design allows you to use your lens's zoom capabilities to go from wide, full-disk views to high-magnification close-ups of specific active regions without changing your setup.

    Integrated Telecentric Optics for a Flat H-Alpha Field

    At the heart of the Camera Quark is a custom, integrated telecentric lens system. This is not a simple Barlow lens; it is an optical component specifically designed to work with the internal etalon, ensuring the light rays entering the filter are parallel across the entire field. The result is superior field flatness and even illumination, eliminating the off-axis artifacts that can compromise H-alpha viewing in less-optimized systems.

    USB Power and Versatile Mounting for Field Operations

    Designed for portability, the Camera Quark is powered by a standard USB connection, allowing it to run all day from a small, palm-sized battery pack or any USB power source. For secure attachment, it includes a reversible combination mounting foot. This foot features standard tripod threads for use with photographic tripods and a Vixen-style dovetail for a solid connection to any astronomical mount.

    Camera Quark Prominence vs. Chromosphere: Choosing Your View

    Daystar offers two versions of the Camera Quark, tuned for different solar features. Understanding the distinction is key to selecting the right tool for your observing goals.

    • Chromosphere Model Advantage: The Chromosphere version uses a narrower bandpass. This increases contrast on the Sun's turbulent surface, making it the superior choice for resolving fine details in plages, filaments, and granulation.
    • Prominence Model (This Model): The Prominence version has a slightly wider bandpass. This makes the faint, delicate structures of prominences appear brighter and more distinct against the black background of space, delivering the most dramatic views of solar ejections and loops on the Sun's limb.

    Manual Control: Important Lens Compatibility Notes

    The Camera Quark is a fully manual device that does not electronically communicate with your lens or camera. You must be able to manually set your lens's focus to infinity and control its aperture. Lenses that require electronic control for these functions ("focus-by-wire") may not be compatible.

    Additionally, for lenses with large apertures, Daystar recommends using a front-mounted red, orange, or yellow colored glass filter to act as an energy rejection filter (ERF). This reduces the heat load on the internal etalon, ensuring stable and safe operation during extended viewing sessions.

  • How do I power the Daystar Camera Quark in the field?

    The Daystar Camera Quark is powered via a standard USB port. This allows you to use it with any common portable USB battery pack, the same kind you would use to charge a smartphone, making it easy to power during a full day of solar observing away from AC outlets.

    Can I use an eyepiece with the Daystar Camera Quark instead of a DSLR?

    Yes. The Camera Quark includes an adapter that allows you to insert a standard 1.25" eyepiece. This lets you use your SLR lens and Quark combination as a visual Hydrogen-alpha telescope, not just an imaging system.

    What's the difference between the Camera Quark Prominence and Chromosphere models?

    The two models are tuned for different features. The Prominence model (this one) has a slightly wider bandpass, which makes faint prominences on the solar limb appear brighter and with higher contrast. The Chromosphere model has a narrower bandpass, which is better for revealing fine surface details like filaments and plages against the bright solar disk.

    Do I need an additional filter for my lens when using the Camera Quark?

    For lenses with large apertures (typically over 80mm), Daystar recommends using a simple colored glass filter (red, orange, or yellow) on the front of your lens. This acts as an Energy Rejection Filter (ERF), reflecting excess heat and light before it enters the lens, which protects the internal Quark components and improves thermal stability.

    How would I use the Camera Quark with a 300mm telephoto lens to frame a total solar eclipse?

    A 300mm lens with the Camera Quark provides an excellent field of view for capturing the full solar disk with room to spare. During the partial phases, you would image as normal. During totality, you would remove the entire lens/Quark assembly to capture the corona, as H-alpha filters block coronal light. The Quark is for observing the chromosphere and prominences, which are visible right up to the second and third contacts.

    Will the Camera Quark work with my fast f/2.8 zoom lens for capturing solar flares?

    Yes, but you must stop the lens down. H-alpha etalons require a slow, near-parallel light cone to function correctly. While the internal telecentric lens helps, you should manually set your f/2.8 lens to f/8 or slower using its aperture ring for best results. Fast f-ratios will result in a wider, less detailed image.

  • Available Options For Canon, For Nikon

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