The L-eNhance fitler is a light pollution killer: The Optolong L-eNhance fitler is an anti-light pollution filter best known for transmitting narrow bands of light. Let's look at how it performs for Astrophotography.
Introduction
The Optolong L-eNhance web site says it best:
Optolong L-eNhance is a dual-band pass filter which has been designed for DSLR (digital SLR), color CMOS and monochrome CCD cameras. The convenience and cost effectiveness of this filter allows amateurs to image a rich selection of astronomical images, even in bright, heavily light-polluted areas. It effectively isolates the H-Alpha, H-Beta, and Oxygen III nebula emission lines and achieves a maximum transmission of up to 90%. The performance of this filter delivers images that superbly control.
In short, if you shoot typical Deep Space Objects from your backyard time machine, this filter filters out the frequencies of light that you're likely to see from backyard lights, streetlights, houselights, and even Christmas lights. Let's take a deeper dive:
Key Specifications
- Brand & Model: Optolong L-eNhance
- Type: Narrow-band filter
- Price Range: $250 or so
- Key Features:
- Isolates key frequencies for emission nebula
- Blocks 90% or more of the unwanted light from terrestrial sources
- Comes in 2", 1.25", and clip-in formats for versatile camera types
- Best For:
Design & Build Quality
- Multi-coated optics
- Proven results
- I use one!
Performance & Features
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Ease of Use
- Assuming you have a typical time machine camera, you add a filter drawer to your color camera imaging train and put this in it. That's it.
- Counterintuitively, while it blocks 90% of the light, it lets in the important light so your images actually get better, faster, with less imaging time
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Turns your backyard color camera into an amazing photon collector
- Compared to the cost of a monochrome camera and LRGBSHO filters and a filter wheel, it's 10 times less expensive!
Cons
- If you forget to move it out of the imaging train, it can dramatically reduce the light you do want from sources that aren't emission nebula
- It's cheap compared to a monochrome camera, but it's still a fairly expensive single piece of equipment
Who Should Buy This?
- Ideal for anyone who has light pollution in their skies and still wants to take amazing astro photos in less time
- Best suited dedicated astro color CMOS cameras
Final Verdict
If you don't live in the middle of a dark sky site, you should buy one.
Light pollution is an ever increasing issue, making it difficult for astrophotographers within urban environments to collect detail on deep space objects within the night sky. Designed for enhancing nebulosity from light polluted environments, this filter effectively blocks unwanted light from street lamps and other urban sources. Key nebula wavelengths H-Alpha, H-Beta, and Oxygen III, are effectively isolated with a high transmission of up to 90%, revealing nebulosity with stunning clarity. With its premium build and versatile design, this Optolong L-eNhance is engineered for excellence and I'm kicking myself for buying one, forgetting about it, and taking almost two years to install it!
A game changer for astrophotographers, this versatile dual-bandpass filter helps you reveal stunning detail on emission nebulae. Its precision off-band blocking minimizes unwanted light interference for beautiful contrast and clarity. It's ideal for use with DSLR, mirrorless, and dedicated astronomy cameras, and its design provides exceptional detail from corner to corner. Housed within a highly durable, threaded metal filter cell (or a nice clip-in filter holder if you're using it with a DSLR/mirrorless camera) and featuring high quality coatings, this filter is built to last.
Where to Buy
- High Point Scientific
- Agena Astro
- Amazon (the cheapest option as I write this)
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FAQs
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Q: Will it work with my DSLR?
A: It will if you buy the clip-in version -
Q: Is it good for taking pictures of the Moon and planets?
A: It isn't going to hurt those pictures, but it's not going to help, either. I'd take it off for planetary, just to make sure you're getting all the light you can. -
Q: Can it help take better galaxy pictures?
A: Not really, but again, it won't hurt. Galaxies are broad-spectrum targets, unlike an emission nebula. It won't hurt exactly, but I'd take it off.