Astronomik S-II 12nm XT Imaging Filter - Canon EOS APS-C Clip Filter
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The Astronomik SII filter is ideal for imaging nebulae showing sulfur emissions from both light-polluted and dark observation sites. It significantly enhances the contrast between objects emitting light at 671.7nm and 673nm (SII lines) and the sky background. The Astronomik SII filter completely filters out the emission lines from high- and low-pressure sodium (Na)- and mercury (Hg)-vapor lamps, as well as all lines of natural airglow and most of the distracting moonlight. For particularly high-contrast results, the Astronomik SII filter is optimised to prevent H-alpha light from passing through.
With a narrow bandwidth of either 12nm or 6nm and high transmission rates, the filter effectively blocks all unwanted light from wavelengths other than 671.7nm and 673nm from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR).
Difference between Astronomik 12nm and 6nm filters
The choice between 12nm and 6nm Full-Width-Half-Maximum (FWHM) filters depends on your imaging conditions and camera type. There is no universal "best" option - each FWHM serves a specific purpose.
The 12nm Astronomik Narrowband-Emissionline filters are better suited for use with typical DSLR cameras with CMOS sensors and CCD cameras with normal or high dark current or if you are observing from suburban or dark-sky locations. They are also the preferred choice for cameras with an integrated or dual guiding sensor, as they generally show more guiding stars compared to the 6nm filter.
In areas with little light pollution, the background signal in images is usually limited by the sensor's dark current rather than light pollution. Therefore, further suppression of the sky background by reduction of the FWHM does not bring out more details in the object.
Difference between Astronomik MFR and MaxFR coating
Both the Astronomik MFR and MaxFR coatings give you the best out-of-band blocking over the entire wavelength range from UV to IR, extremely high contrast, minimized stray light, no halos and needle-sharp stars.
- 12nm MFR-coated filters can be used in all instruments with aperture ratios from f/3 to f/∞ without significant performance loss.
Clip-Filter for Canon EOS APS-C DSLR cameras
Since 2007, we offer our extremely popular Astronomik Clip-Filters. The complete range of Astronomik filters is available as Clip-Filters for the Canon EOS DSLR cameras with APS-C sensors.
The Astronomik Clip-Filters offer a number of practical advantages that make them an ideal choice for astrophotographers:
- Installing and removing the Astronomik Clip-Filter is very quick and easy and requires no extra tools or modifications to the camera body. They can be changed at any time, even at night.
- All lens functions, such as focus, aperture, and image stabilization remain fully functional.
- The Astronomik Clip-Filters are held securely in place without stressing the high-quality glass.
- The Astronomik Clip-Filters are designed and optimized for use with both standard camera lenses and telescopes.
Through the Astronomik Clip-Filters, we were able to solve several common issues faced by astrophotographers:
- Large filters for large camera lenses are very expensive.
- Using a filter holder between the camera body and the lens prevents focusing to infinity.
- For very fast telescopes (low f-number) like the Vixen R200SS or the Takahashi "Epsilon" astrograph, a filter drawer or filter wheel cannot be used because the distance to the corrector lenses would be changed.
- Long exposure times lead to dust settling on the camera's sensor chip.
The Astronomik EOS APS-C Clip-Filters are made from black anodized aluminum.
Additionally, all Astronomik EOS APS-C Clip-Filters serve as an excellent dust shield, protecting the sensor during long exposures. If you only need a dust shield without filtering effects, the Astronomik MC-Clear EOS APS-C Clip-Filter is the right choice.
Use Astronomik filters for your Canon EOS APS-C DSLR camera and enjoy marvelous images with an ultra light equipment!
Compatible Canon EOS APS-C DSLR cameras
| Model | Compatibility |
| Canon EOS-1D (all variants) | No |
| Canon EOS 5D (all variants) | No |
| Canon EOS 7D | Yes |
The Astronomik EOS APS-C Clip-Filters fit into the original Canon EF to EF-M bayonet adapter and can be used with all variants of the Canon EOS M camera.
Compatible lenses and adapters
| Model | Compatibility |
| Original Canon EF-S series lenses | No |
| Lenses from third party manufacturers | Yes |
| M42 lens adapters | Yes |
| T2 lens adapters | Yes |
Astronomik XT-Filters
The new Astronomik XT-Filters are specifically designed for astrophotography with wide-angle lenses, delivering sharp and crisp star images all the way to the edges of the image. Since many years, Astronomik Clip-Filters are a popular and well known tool among astrophotographers worldwide. However, when using very short focal length lenses to take widefield images, standard Clip-Filters could introduce aberrations, stretching stars in the outermost corners of the image. To solve this issue, the new Astronomik XT-Filters are coated on an extremely thin substrate of only 0.3mm or 0.5mm thickness, significantly reducing these aberrations.
Despite the reduced thickness, the Astronomik XT-Filters maintain the highest optical quality: they are finely polished, free of any striae, residual stresses, and bubbles, and are suitable for the most advanced imaging applications. The Astronomik XT-Filters are manufactured using the same durable coating technology as all Astronomik filters. They are extremely scratch-resistant, unaffected by high humidity, and do not degrade over time. This ensures they retain their performance for years. As with all our filters, we underline this promise with a 10-year warranty.
Please note that not all Astronomik filters are available as XT-versions due to the complexity of manufacturing these ultra-thin filters. Currently, filters are produced that are predestined for photography with wide-angle lenses.
Technical Data
- Guaranteed transmission of more than 90% at both SII lines (671.7nm and 673.0nm)
- Typical transmission of 96% (12nm) at both SII lines
- Glass thickness: 1mm (except Astronomik OWB Type 3 and XT filters)
- Finely polished optical glass, free of any striae, residual stresses, and bubbles
- Extremely scratch-resistant and durable coating
- Completely resistant against high humidity and aging effects
- Astronomik MFR coating (Astronomik Deep-Sky RGB, UV-IR Block L-1, L-2, L-3, and Narrowband-Emissionline filters)
- Parfocal with other Astronomik filters
- Diffraction-limited
- Optimized spectral windows
- Delivered in a high-quality, long-lasting filter box
Due to the high-precision machining of the carrier substrate, all Astronomik filters are parfocal with wedge errors far below all common tolerances. Astronomik filters are diffraction-limited, ensuring that the optical performance (resolution and contrast) of your telescope is not compromised. Issues concerning focal distances and the exact alignment of images from each color channel are therefore effectively eliminated.
All Astronomik filters are ideal for modern cameras, including both CMOS- and CCD-based models, ensuring you capture the best possible images with your equipment. Sharpness, contrast, and the absence of any reflections and halos are guaranteed. Even with bright stars in the field of view, nebulae and galaxies will be captured with the finest structures.
Every Astronomik filter undergoes a rigorous quality control process before delivery. Additionally, each Astronomik Narrowband-Emissionline filter is measured using a high-end PerkinElmer Spectrophotometer to ensure it meets the specifications published on our website. On the back of each Narrowband-Emissionline filter box, you will find a label detailing the precise spectral data for that specific filter, including the maximum transmission and the recommended range of focal ratios.