Best Telescope Filters in 2022

Last update: January 18, 2023

Are moon filters worth it?

Are telescope filters worth it?

If you're serious about astronomy, then telescope filters are definitely worth the investment. They help to improve the contrast and clarity of your view, and can make a big difference in your overall observing experience.

Can I use alcohol to clean my telescope?

No, you should not use alcohol to clean your telescope. Alcohol can damage the optics of your telescope and is not a good cleaning solution for delicate instruments.

Can you look at the sun through a telescope with a solar filter?

You can look at the sun through a telescope with a solar filter, but you need to be very careful. The sun is incredibly bright and can damage your eyes very easily. Solar filters block out most of the sun's light, so you can safely look at it through a telescope.


10"x10" Solar Filter Sheet for Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras Review:


It largely performs as promised; excellent stuff! The filter has a comparable feel to a sheet of extremely thin metal foil. It may be folded and cut to fit any form you desire. My DSLR telephoto lens has a simple cap that I fashioned, and it works beautifully. I cut a rectangle from an old $1 folder I had lying around. I taped it down where the folds met after folding it around the end of my telephoto lens. It was then necessary to cut the filter, wrap it over the folder cap's edge, and secure everything with duct tape. As a result, the filter fits very tightly on the lens but is still easy to remove and reattach.I captured some images of the sun using this (attached). The tiny sunspot is readily visible. If you want to capture pictures of the sun in general or are going to the eclipse in two weeks, I would highly recommend this device.



BP-1212 - Silver-Black Polymer Solar Filter Film Sheet (12" x 12") - 1 ea Review:


It largely performs as promised; excellent stuff! The filter has a comparable feel to a sheet of extremely thin metal foil. It may be folded and cut to fit any form you desire. My DSLR telephoto lens has a simple cap that I fashioned, and it works beautifully. I cut a rectangle from an old $1 folder I had lying around. I taped it down where the folds met after folding it around the end of my telephoto lens. It was then necessary to cut the filter, wrap it over the folder cap's edge, and secure everything with duct tape. As a result, the filter fits very tightly on the lens but is still easy to remove and reattach.I captured some images of the sun using this (attached). The tiny sunspot is readily visible. If you want to capture pictures of the sun in general or are going to the eclipse in two weeks, I would highly recommend this device.



Meade Instruments Series 4000 MoonFilter: ND96 , Black - 7531 Review:


I've used this filter for more than seven months, and I find it to be really helpful. It reduces the Moon's brightness, which can occasionally be too intense, while simultaneously enhancing the contrast of the Moon's surface features, most notably the lunar Mare. And practically any phase of the Moon is suitable for that purpose. However, once the Moon has passed first quarter, the filter is more important than anything else for blocking out the glaring glare. Although it's basically the only option when you have only a few minutes to get the scope out and look because of clouds coming and going, I rarely use it. Instead, I probably use it four to five evenings a week. This is purely out of laziness and a desire to go and look quickly. This works well for observing the five brightest planets, especially Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, in my experience: On Mars, it lessens the planet's glare and improves the visibility of the Maria and other features like the polar cap. On Jupiter, it kind of deteriorates the image but improves the belts' contrast and visibility. Additionally, it enhances the contrast between the rings and the clouds on Saturn, bringing out the bands and imperfections in the clouds. Since the filter is just a tinted glass, I've discovered that when applying it on any object, a minor refocusing has been required. However, it was nothing serious—just a minor adjustment to the telescope focuser. It doesn't actually improve the quality of the image compared to an unfiltered image, therefore I wouldn't recommend it for lunar photography (unless you're using a device that doesn't allow you to alter the exposure, like a cellphone). Instead, it merely makes you require a higher ISO and longer exposure. However, I highly recommend this if you frequently observe the Moon and don't like having a golf ball-sized black patch in your eyesight for the following 5 to 10 minutes. Additionally useful for really long-term observation when sketching and needing to see what you're doing.



Celestron 94244 Enhance Your Viewing Experience Telescope Filter, 8", Black Review:


In preparation for the 2017 solar eclipse, I needed a solar filter for my new Celestron CGEM II 800 HD Celestron CGEM II Edge HD Telescope (8" OTA) so I selected this filter because I trust Celestron products.This is my initial impressions review and will provide more details later. I felt compelled to write a review now in order to help others who interested in this product but hesitate because it hasn't received any reviews. Why 5 stars? It may not perform like a more expensive glass solar filter but for the price, the build quality is exceptional and my initial observations with a 25mm eyepiece are quite acceptable.Having used both Baader and Thousand Oaks solar filter products, it appears as though this filter is a hybrid of those types. The outside surface has a silver reflective coating, while the inside is a bl ack polymer film. The end result is a slight change to the sun's natural white to a pleasing yellow tone. More importantly, the sun appears quite sharp with no degradation of optical quality. I need to take some high magnification photos to confirm this observation.Although the film is exposed and needs proper care to avoid damage, it does seem quite solid. I especially appreciate that its frame is made of a sturdy plastic material; it is solid enough that you cannot flex its frame. The filter is also very lightweight at 4.3 oz (121 g) making it one of the lightest solar filters that I have tested.A summary... more details to follow in about a week.Pros:s- Inexpensive and is designed to fit the Celestron 8" scope (I have the newer HD model)s- Combines the characteristics of both the Baader and Thousand Oaks solar films.- Includes velcro straps for additional safety.- Very lightweight and sturdy.Cons:s- None that I have observed yet. I still need to test high magnification using this filter.Additional recommendations:sBecause the filter material is exposed, I highly recommend purchasing a hard case to protect this filter when not in use. This is not a negative observation because even the glass filters should be protected by a hard case. I will update my review as soon as I find a suitable case for this filter.To add later:s- How this filter performs in high-resolution photography.- Photos of the sun.



Orion 05662 1.25-Inch 13 Percent Transmission Moon Filter (Black) Review:


The moon appeared fantastic through my new 8-inch Orion dobsonian, but I continued to use this filter throughout the eclipse until the moon was entirely hidden. The moon was so large that looking at it without any filters was practically uncomfortable. With the filter, I was able to observe the shadow move across craters and fissures comfortably. I am looking forward to another clear night so that I can continue to investigate the surface in greater detail.the one possible drawback. The threads appear to be really simple to remove.



Gosky 12x50 ED Glass Monocular- Ultra HD Multi-Coated Waterproof Monocular Telescope-BAK4 Prism for Wildlife Bird Watching Hunting Camping Travelling Wildlife Secenery Review:


The Gosky 12x55 High Definition Monocular Telescope and Quick Smartphone Holder - 2018 arrived in prefect condition. The unit has lens caps for front and back that can be connected with the hand cushion grip strap so they do not get misplaced. The 12x magnification is good with great light capture capability for such a unit. The focus is wide range and easy to use. Recommended using a tripod to avoid hand shaking movement for taking photos.The Smartphone adapter is ok but doesn't fit phones with cases. Remove the case to get best fit and the camera lens close enough to the adapter so a clear photo can be taken. The case that comes with the Monocular won't fit both it and the phone adapter. If you buy an after-market hard case both will fit if you configure the adapter so both pieces are laid together disconnected and expanded to maximum. The case is a tight fit but does work without damaging anything.I haven't taken photos yet but they should be suitable quality.



Celestron 94243 Enhance Your Viewing Experience Telescope Filter, 6", Black Review:


I was pleased with how sharp the sun seemed when I used this on a Celestron Evolution 6 telescope to view a partial solar eclipse. The light level was superb and quite easy on the eyes, and I did not feel any heat. I advise using this solar filter. It is a top-notch item.



Solomark 1.25 Inch UV IR Cut Block Filter Infra Red Filter CCD Camera Interference Uv Filter Review:


I love astronomy, but my checkbook often finds itself abused by my favorite hobby. I am always looking for that gadget that will do what the high end stuff does with at a much lower cost. More often than not, I end up disappointed. Not this time! This filter is excellent. I live is an area with some light pollution. I can still see a faint glow from the Milky Way on really,really good nights. The major stars in most every constellation are visible almost every clear night, so I am not looking for a light pollution slayer. I wanted to boost contrast... And boost contrast it does. The sky becomes much blacker and the nebulas become much brighter. It is amazing! From my house, I can not see any nebulosity in the eagle nebula. I put this filter on, and the nebulosity became immediately evident. The lagoon nebula is usually just a streak of nebulosity around the two stars next to the cluster. With this filter it became much larger with the dark streak dividing it popping right out. The triffid is usually a challenge, it was easy to spot with this filter. He blinking planetary became very bright and easy to see. It really does work. It will do nothing for galaxies. I tried but it just makes them dimmer. I didn't bother with globular clusters, expecting the same results, but if you like finding nebulas, this is the filter to get.



Celestron 1.25" Moon Filter Review:


While this filter won't transform your life, it can undoubtedly be useful for some casual moongazing if you have a strong telescope or a full moon that is particularly brilliant. With this, I could see a lot more moon craters. I'm pleased I got it for the recent supermoon event and have it on hand. Although it made viewing a little bit simpler, it wasn't actually necessary for photography as your camera will already attenuate the light when it switches to a shorter exposure time because it is a neutral density attenuation. In a nutshell, I'm glad I have it and, if I lost it, I probably would buy it again.


Do I have to align my telescope every time I use it?

No, you don't have to align your telescope every time you use it. However, it is recommended that you do a quick alignment check before each observing session. This only takes a minute or two and will help ensure that your telescope is pointed in the right direction.

Do I need a filter to see Jupiter?

No, you don't need a filter to see Jupiter. However, using one can enhance the contrast of Jupiter's cloud bands and make the Great Red Spot easier to see.

Do telescope filters work?

Yes, telescope filters work by blocking out certain types of light. This allows for a better view of the target object. Different filters allow for different amounts of light to pass through, so it is important to choose the right filter for the job.

How can I make my telescope Clearer?

If you want to make your telescope clearer, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure the lenses are clean. You can clean them with a soft, dry cloth. If they're really dirty, you can use a lens cleaning solution. Just be careful not to scratch the lenses. Second, adjust the focus. The focus knob is usually located near the eyepiece. Turning it will make the image sharper or blurrier. Finally, make sure you're using the right eyepiece. If you're not sure which one to use, start

How do I get the sharpest picture of the moon?

There are a few things you can do to get the sharpest picture of the moon. First, use a tripod to keep your camera steady. Second, use a long exposure to capture as much light as possible. Third, use a high ISO to increase the camera's sensitivity to light. fourth, use a telephoto lens to get a closer view of the moon. Finally, use the manual focus setting on your camera to make sure the moon is in focus.

How often should you collimate a telescope?

It is generally a good idea to check the collimation of your telescope regularly. How often will depend on how often you use the telescope and how well you keep it maintained. A good rule of thumb is to check it every few months or so. If you use your telescope frequently or notice that the images are not as sharp as they used to be, it is a good idea to check it more often.