Just How Good is the Antlia 3nm Oxygen III NB Filter? Antlia 3nm vs. ZWO 7nm

In this video I compared my new Antlia 3nm OIII Pro Imaging filter with my current ZWO 7nm OIII filter. Since I have an open position on my ZWO EFW, it was very convenient to make a good quality comparison. I hoped and expected the Antlia to perform better since it was 3nm vs. 7nm and I was not disappointed!
The experiment took place on 12-29-22 around 9 pm. I collected nine 5-minute subs of IC 410 using the ZWO OIII filter but only kept seven. I then switched to the Antlia OIII filter where I again collected nine 5-minute subs but kept eight. The temperature of the ZWO ASI1600 was set at -20 degrees C. No post processing was done on any of the images.
Links:
Antlia 3nm OIII Pro Imaging 1.25in/31mm $300
agenaastro.com...
ZWO 7nm OIII 1.25in/31mm $129
optcorp.com/pr...
Astrodon 3nm OIII 1.25in/31mm $682
www.highpoints...
Chroma 3nm OIII 1.25in/31mm $575
optcorp.com/pr...
Baader 4nm OIII 1.25in/31mm $285
www.highpoints...
Optolong 6.5nm OIII 1.25in/31mm $159
agenaastro.com...

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Thanks, AstroQuest1. I know the Antila is for the money the best cost/quality, but I got the Optolong 2 Inch SHO-3nm Narrowband filters kit (Set of 3) for $998 for the set of 3 in 2" size. I think it's a step below the Antila SHO-3nm filter, at Camera-Concepts has the set of 3 for $1054.00 if anyone looking, I am only a customer!

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the info! That is a good price, I don't know if is a step below - Optolong makes good filters as well. Cheers

[@anata5127]

2” filters are for full-size sensor cameras, which cost a lot. Full-size sensor requires top notch scope, which costs a fortune. So, it is practical to have 294mm camera, small and inexpensive wide field scopes, like AstroQuest1’s ones), second hand 31mm Astrodon or Chroma filters for the same price as 2” Antila. As a result, pictures will be better; much better for lesser cost. Better SNR, better colors, better resolution, better everything.

[@Aero19612]

Great comparison, Kurt! Totally agree about performance of the Antlia 3nm Oiii filter compared with the ZWO Oiii. A couple of years ago I imaged the Horsehead. Alnitak is still laughing at me and my ZWO Oiii. I don't know if it's a halo or a "Smiley Face" emoji. Getting ready to do the horsehead again with the Antlia. I'm still expecting a halo, but much reduced. BTW: you'll love the Ha and Sii filters as well. Wise to start with the Oiii though.

[@AstroQuest1]

Ha Ha, Yeah I got that Alnitak smiley face as well. I might just break down and get them or at least another one really soon! Having the extra space on the filter wheel really helps when doing these comparisons. Cheers Kurt

[@kenkoskela3357]

Hey, Kurt! I enjoyed this comparison, in part because I bit the bullet last year and switched my narrowband from the ZWO 7nm's to a set of the Antlia 3nm's. I shot through Ha as my first image with the new filter (from a busy Chicago suburb) and was blown away by the improvement. The difference with Ha is considerably more pronounced in terms of picking up nebulosity from light-polluted areas. And, as you point out, the Oiii really helps get brighter stars under control. I really love these filters... expensive, but makes a big difference in my imaging. Thanks for your videos... always informative and enjoyable to watch.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the comments Ken. Good to know there is a big difference in the Ha as well especially since I just ordered that one as well. Cheers Kurt

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Cool comparison Kurt! I love my Antlia filters and honestly just don't see a difference between them and the Astrodons I have. I was just lucky and bought my Astrodons used for about the same price as the Antlias new.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the additional info about the Astrodons. Not many people have both to compare with. Cheers Kurt

[@tamrich7762]

Thank you Kurt! For the excellent review on the Antila filter,unfortunately at the moment I’m very happy with my OSC setup and the Altair Quadband 2” filter.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the feedback Tam. No reason to change, I have been using a OSC recently and loving it as well. Cheers Kurt

[@yosmith1]

Thanks for sharing this comparison. My goal this year is to switch to the ultra narrow band filters, but I have been hesitant based on some of the negative examples with the various brands. Antilia has been on my short list though. Have a great year!

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks Neil. Yeah looking for reasonable priced filters seems like a crap shoot. Good Luck

[@AF29007]

I've been running the Baader ultra-narrowband Ha, Oiii and Sii filters and have had absolutely no complaints. Really good filters. Those Antlia filters are a good buy, too.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for info. I have some other Baader filters and have been very happy with them as well. Chher

[@tostativerdk]

Very useful video! Might I ask what bortle you live in?

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks, yeah I have Bortle 5.5 at my locationdirectly overhead. Looking south it gets very bad as we are very close to Bridgeport and NYC is off to the SW.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Great comparison Kurt sadly I can't afford to go mono but if that day does happen I think Antlia will be ones on the top of the list as they seem to be good performers.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, it took me a while as well. This hobby certainly is not cheap! Cheers

[@Chris_NGC6188Ara]

Hi Kurt, I have the same image train (1600mm and filter wheel) as yours and have been looking to purchase the Antlia filters to swap out my ZWO NB filters. Have you notice any increase /change with vignetting with the Antlias? I'll be getting the 1.25" screw types filters the same road you went down.

[@AstroQuest1]

Hey Chris, I had not noticed any change in the vignetting. At least with the OIII filter. Good luck! Kurt

[@anata5127]

It could have been great to take 4-5 frames, then stack images with and without calibration, then analyze images with Pixinsight. Important data are: your bortle, image scale of your system, your guiding accuracy, then SNR, eccentricity, FWHM and number of stars. This could have been scientific approach. I don’t make videos, not good enough speaker and teacher. But here are results: winner is Chroma (!), close second is Astrodon, then massive gap and comes Antila, Optolong and ZWO. I knew that this will be the case. You know it as well, don’t you.

[@AstroQuest1]

Possibly, but we will never know because I don't have those filters to test. The best experiment would be if you had all of them and test them on the same night at the same time which is why I was able to compare it against the ZWO. I would love to get a hold some Chroma or Astrodon filters and do a comparison. I do have the guiding info and etc. but did not list it since I was only really comparing the two filters and the the the other variables did not change.

[@anata5127]

@@AstroQuest1Yeh, I borrowed them for testing. Then, based on apparent and massive differences bought them.

[@AstroQuest1]

@@anata5127 Cool!

[@pcboreland1]

Pitty you did not include Astronomik, no halos.

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah, I assume they would be good as well - I just did not have any to test them.

[@bullshitvendor]

IDAS filters have very consistent manufacturing quality compared to the hit-and-miss of the budget alternatives. Paying good money for something that isn't manufactured to specs you could just as well throw the money in the bin.

[@AstroQuest1]

Yep, I agree. My favorite filter for my OSC cameras is the IDAS NBZ filter. It does a fantastic job! Cheers