Optolong L-Pro Filter Review (Astrophotography Camera Filter)

Optolong L-Pro Filter Review:
A Broadband Astrophotography Filter for Urban Light Pollution
Optolong L Pro Filter: bit.ly/3IZrpP7
Full Review: astrobackyard....
I’ve recently had a chance to review the Optolong L-Pro filter (2 types) for astrophotography from my light-polluted backyard in the city.
I’ll be using this filter with a Canon 5D Mk II to capture the Pleiades star cluster through a compact refractor telescope.
I’ve chosen this target for the L-Pro because I want to showcase its ability to produce natural-looking images of broadband astrophotography targets from the city.
Please stay tuned until the end of the video for my results!
Special Thanks to Optolong!
#astrophotography
Music:
Zane Alexander - XXXDrug
/ xxxdrug
Juno Dreams - Be With Me
/ juno-dreams
Zane Alexander - Ampersand
/ ampersand
Zane Alexander - V o i d
/ v-o-i-d
Affiliate Links:
Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

[@joestafford8775]

I like this one already, because i'm not having to wake up at 4:30 in a morning to watch it :) Thanks Trevor!

[@denispol79]

I m also at Bortle 8 zone. My L-pro is a real life saver! Sometimes I also use this filter on a guide scope when taking narrowband images and the sky is just too bright to see small stars at 2sec exposure on a guide camera. I can also recommend a seller. I bought a set of 9 Optolong filters from him. Made a really good price.

[@YTMegiddo]

"Our price: $199.00 ($149.00 for the 1.25 version)" Expensive, but nothing like I thought it was going to be! Very nice results!

[@patrickbisaillon307]

Thank you for this video, it answered questions I had before purchasing the filter. I wish to underscore how clear and easy to understand this video is, specifically for a not so experienced astrophotographers. Again, thank you very much.

[@davideaton5642]

Hi Trevor, Love your reviews. One piece of info that seems to be consistently missing on astro filters (not just from you) is how many stops of light loss do you get from each filter? This is surely an important consideration when the idea is to catch every available photon.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I'd like to know that too

[@rodbell4222]

Took me almost 9 months to get my L-Pro due to Corona Virus...I will try this on the Dark Shark Nebula, in my Bortle Class 5 sky in Perdido Key, Florida...Great review Trevor, as always! God Bless...

[@supernova5712]

wow i never expected stock to perform that well, kudos to the filter too. Congrats on HighPoint, looking forward for that celestron

[@czarpeppers6250]

This seems like it would be perfect for me, since I live in a class 4 area. So something that isn't very aggressive would be perfect for that little bit of improvement.

[@MattB-xi3rb]

And all this time I was looking at that with my eyes and couldn't figure out what it was, this video helped

[@bzztbzztboy]

download google sky map and you'll never need to as that question again!

[@robertfield4103]

Production skills for you videos are only exceeded by your image capture and pp. Seeing the image, only one word comes to mind - WOW!

[@chrisdavis6789]

Great work Trevor, fantastic image from your skies. Always like your videos for the information and passion you have for Astronomy and Imaging.

[@tonyveroni3600]

Trev, wow, I am sold on the L Pro! I am in a fairly dark sky with nominal light pollution, due to a nearby town of 20k. I am in dark rural Shallow Lake Ontario, about twenty minutes from Owen Sound, to the east, Sauble Beach is roughly 20 clicks to the west, very dark. Pleiades is one is my absolute favourites, and it shows very bright in my sky, so the L pro should be amazing on my T3i, attached to my 8” scope . The new music tracks are terrific. Keep doing what you do. I so appreciate your help in learning via your tips! Tony V Keep

[@flemdogmillionaire239]

Thanks to this review, I just purchased this filter. Awesome job Trevor !!

[@WilliamShaheen]

Trevor - another fine video, thank you. On the point of using a modified DSLR and its red tint, have you tried on considered a custom WB using, say, a digital gray card? That's what I used when I had a modded Nikon D5300 and it was very effective. It may even be useful with an unmodified camera when using the Optolong L-Pro. I plan to test and compare myself. Thanks, Bill in Gold Canyon, Arizona

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Great work Trevor. I love Pleiades always.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Nice pic. Thanks for the review. Am trying to decide in my Bortle 6 sky to buy an L-Pro or L-Quad Enhance Filter.

[@TxCwby]

Next on the list. Trevor, off hand question...how long did it take for you to start pulling down images once you got started in earnest (5yrs ago?). Still wrestling with dew heaters and basic camera settings, proper focus, etc. i know i’m close, but “ahhh!” :-). I mean that in a “i’m suffering doing what i love most” kind of way!

[@pault5947]

That small star cluster at 10 o'clock to the small pipe sticking out of the right hand side of the roof DISAPEARS at 9:14!!!!! Pause at 9.13 and use the 'full stop' key to advance slowly and see. Anyone know why this is?????

[@richardw2977]

Added to my wish list. Thanks for checking it out.

[@TrillShatner]

Very cool, I often take chances on expensive filters. Will definitely be renting this for my next trip to Marfa :)

[@beebebop]

Thank you for this great review, Trevor. Lovely image too!

[@rkeele82]

Definitely going to have to pick one up! Thanks Trevor for the great review!

[@DeanJohnson67]

very timely! I just ordered one of these Wednessday! shipping shows it should be here Monday! Woot!! oh ya great video as usual ;)

[@astrofotoperu]

Great review Trevor!! Love the music too!!

[@SAYALI9847]

Please try to photograph the helix nebula it's so beautiful

[@darshanbalotre8507]

Hey even u do deep sky imaging ?? Cuz i dont know any deep sky photography fans in india.

[@darshanbalotre8507]

Hey even u do deep sky imaging ?? Cuz i dont know any deep sky photography fans in india.

[@SAYALI9847]

@@darshanbalotre8507 no I am just the curious one interested in astrophotography

[@jasonpdoyle]

Unfortunately that object is fairly low in the sky for Canada. He may have to travel out of the city to even have a chance to image it.

[@flyalaz]

Another great job Jean L..., I mean Trevor. Love your vids. Wish list will eventually kill me.

[@adibonts]

Hey man I'm a big fan but please get a wire lavalier mic! Cheap ones like Boyo can increase production value instantly!

[@laidbackobs]

Great review Trevor. It would be interesting to see how it performs with the ASI294MC-Pro.

[@gengotaku]

Awesome picture!! I have been struggling with light pollution in my region and wonder if this filter works on a T6i!! Keep up the good work!!!

[@konrak81]

great pic Trevor love your channel keep the videos coming

[@alanalain4884]

Interesting. Some good, some bad... For good it seems to be with the Pleiades, it removes sharpness and definition on the more fainted stars that seem more crip and sharp without the filter on more basics shots, like would be a M.Way one with single exposure, but may be it's my eyes... (Yet, look at the star cluster shown more down at 9.17 after the transition, it seems blurred, stars close to one another that were very defined and well separated just disapeared or look muddy with no separation). I think it's much more important than the tree leaves than can be shot separately and later composited). Again I understand that it will help in heavilly light poluted areas with many subs taken. and the Pleiades picture looks awesome, but you seem to loose information on faint stuff to better the more visible one in some less elaborate cases. It's probably more made for deep sky object and to allow longer exposures. I still wonder why the Pleiades look so sharp and crisp whereas the transition shown with a single frame taken clearly shows what I mention above.

[@ryanherron1423]

My filter came in today testing it out tonight!!!!!!!

[@Roymac01]

Great videos Trevor. You explain things in an easily understood manner. I've been watching loads of them the last few days as I dive headfirst into Astrophotography. I'm hoping the dark skies here west of Peterborough will soon bow to my will! Sadly it's too bad you appear to be a Habs fan. SIGH! I'll let it slide though. :)

[@JBowlofcereal]

I bought the 2 inch L-pro 6 months ago from the Starizona store and rarely take it off my ED80CF. Definitely pulls more to the blue side though

[@astrophotonics9470]

I have a few of the Optolong filters, including the one you reviewed, there great.

[@mattsmith010171]

Great to see you using a stock DSLR just to compare what you should be able to get out of one with some one who's so experienced at astrophotography. Question through doesn't the Baader moon and sky glow filter cover almost the same light spectrum? Always love your videos and keep up the great work.

[@Ed-yj8ts]

Apologies if this has been answered. What white balance do you use with the filter? I have a Hutech modified Canon 6D. Dialing in white balance is very tricky for me. I want to think adding a LP filter further obfuscates that. Great video.

[@toddnoseworthy1447]

Recently purchased an IDAS light pollution filter (D2) and an Optolong Ha filter. Can you demonstrate or detail how you remove the color tinging that occurs when using filters?

[@cheesification]

I see Astrobackyard and I click. It’s 12am. Another couple of minutes is ok :D

[@cheesification]

Took UHC filter out of cart. Added L-Pro Shopping done. Time to sleep :)

[@marstrooper2045]

Me too. I love to have a channel like his.

[@waynescave3844]

Great vid as usual Trevor thankyou!! Going back to mounts (like your new one!!!) I have celestron advanced avx mount and head. BUT i got the polar aligning scope for it and at 51.44degrees latitude its impossible to view the full view as the Latitude adjustment knob is right in the way!?? Is frustrating! Any tips mate??? Keep up the great work. Wayne

[@candykanefpv]

Hey so, when you get sent stuff to review it would be greatly appreciated if you do a small little disclaimer at the beginning bascailly saying "blabla company sent me this for review, (at a discount, for free)..." or even "i bought this of my own money" That kind of transparency is always great on here.

[@stew_redman]

Just re-watching this in 2020. I have a few Optolong filters now. All great. All still come in a box with a Ha filter picture on it :D

[@markolabor6964]

Gonna order an optolong l pro clip in for canon eos :)

[@ZBOYDMARK]

Great image Trevor. :-) Have you ever used an IDAS LPS-D1 filter, if so how do you think the Optolong L-Pro compares?

[@ZBOYDMARK]

Most of the comparisons I've seen with the LPS-P2 and LPS-D1 shows they are practically identical other than the D1 tends to give slightly more balanced blacks while still holding onto the Ha colour. Where as the P2 is the older version and the blacks can have a red saturation as its not clipped back as much. It would be interesting to see how the L-Pro compared.

[@ZBOYDMARK]

Stever thanks for the input, I think 🤔 but I don’t think you quite get the point of a channel that has been created to promote a hobby and introduce new people to it. Everyone can read a graph generated in controlled conditions, but very often the real world use of a product under varied conditions yield different results. My question was simply to ask if any comparisons had been done. If folks take your opinion then they’d never ask a question and people who are new to the hobby might be put off asking if they get pissy responses. But thanks all the same. 👍

[@mrtambourineman6107]

If you used an APS-C size sensor DSLR with a telescope, would that increase the focal length as it does wth camera lenses. E.g. a 90mm full frame lens is 135mm on an aps-c, or a 50mm prime, is actually a 75mm prime...anyone know??

[@jamesdougan8789]

congrats on the sponsorship is that a SCT in the celestron box ???? you lucky bloke cheers james D

[@austinlankford1082]

If you look closely at the side of the box it almost looks like it says CGX-L....

[@johngiromini5745]

@@austinlankford1082 That appears to be the CGX-L tripod on the top box; the CGX-L mount comes in a more square box. You may have noticed the smaller boxes by the door? That's likely to be the two counterweights. If it is the -L, that is a beast.

[@austinlankford1082]

I was actually strongly considering that mount but couldn't find a good review of it. I just ended up investing in a MyT, hopefully I made a good decision!

[@jamesdougan8789]

@@austinlankford1082 yes i am also very interested in the CGX to buy for a mount i like the internal cables and the belt drives and spring loaded worm drives and i would like to look at the new operating software and how good the tracking is unguided they had a bit of trouble with the first ones with the worm drives as far as i know they have fixed the problem it was only a adjustment to assembly but it looks very sturdy and strong and a newer design ...i am after acurite tracking and stability with a new mount cheers james D

[@austinlankford1082]

James Dougan I believe that both the early CGX and CGX-L mounts had issues with the belts sliding off of the gears as well. The main thing I was looking for in a new mount was the ability to do remote imaging in my backyard observatory. Through the mount cabling and the homing sensors were a big deal to me, I just wasn’t able to find anyone who said they liked Celestron’s implementation. Since the USB port on the mount is only compatible with the PWI software. All the reviews that I read said it was not ASCOM comparable.

[@ias2423]

Hi, what's the difference between putting the filter beside your lens or in front? I see you always put it inside your camera and not outside

[@spo5egy]

This looks promising even for night time lapses and other general camera work!

[@z28rgr8]

First, thanks for your videos. I'm new and have been watching intently. I have many questions, but only one for now related to this filter. I live in a Bortle class 4 area. Would I see great or minor benefit from these filters? Cheers!

[@luukcarspotting6699]

Hey Astro, Yesterday I took a milkyway picture in a fairly light polluted place. I used a nikon D80 with settings: f/2.8, ISO 1600 and a shutterspeed of 10 seconds. I took 3 pictures at once and found on 1 picture a strange really big blue dot (more a drop of water) on the bottom left corner. Do you know what it could be?

[@luukcarspotting6699]

Stever Haha yeah I inherited it from my grandpa 3 weeks ago with some pretty expensive lenses :)

[@waynescave3844]

Im at Bortle 4 trevor and a newbie and dont use any filters as yet.. thinking of using a UHC for gathering more detail???

[@TheFurryHypothesis]

The APSC version of the filter seems to be sold out. I can't find it on the site.

[@WhiteWulfe]

Any plans to do comparison shots between the previous ones you've used (the Astronomik ones) and this L-Pro? I'm curious as to what kinds of differences there are in the end ^_^

[@ManosZafirakis.ShapeMixStudio]

Hi Trevor ! Do you believe that the optolong l-pro is also suitable for visual ? Thanks

[@johnadastra1754]

Just wondering if this type would be parfocal with other filters in my filter wheel, or would it require a refocus. Might be a better replacement for my Lum in LRGB images.

[@doctorschulte9751]

I’ve been thinking about the effect of LED lighting for weeks. The color temp is so much more natural I doubt any filter will help and I fear the would moving to LED streetlights will be terrible in the fight against light pollution.

[@argafirmansyah]

very good video, nice work...can you compare this L-Pro filter with UHC from optolong as well, please just 1 raw image comparisson? I live in bortle 8 sky and used Optlong UHC. I really want to see if there's any big different in performance between this filters.

[@AlexanderA80]

Compare it with CLS filter please. And can you share one RAW image with this filter and with CLS?

[@AlexanderA80]

@Stever's Narrow-band Imaging Channel I have CLS filter. It's interesting to see in real examples how good or bad will perform CLS and L-Pro in same city's light pollution conditions. All samples in internet are very different and L-Pro filter is too expensive for buy it to just test..

[@3thomasH]

Hi Trevor, How would you compare the Optolong L-Pro to the IDAS LPS-D2? I am fighting mostly high pressure sodium streetlights. Thanks for any advice you can give me. Tom Harvey

[@LeendertCordemans]

Nice information. Is this like the Nisi clear-night filter?

[@eduardomenezes4924]

Hi Trevor, did you manage to get a Milky Way shot from your backyard using this filter after all? Please don’t forget to try it. Cheers!

[@garbageman9145]

Hey brother, do you know if I shoot this with a monochrome camera what it would it would look like, how would you render to get the colors back

[@Huntington12345678]

Hi, Trevor! Really enjoy your channel. So informative. I was wondering, if I already have a decent UHC and an Optolong L-eNhance, is there any point in getting an L-Pro? Why or why not?

[@XPFTP]

lot of these channels dont answer posters ?s.. sort of sucks . as i like to learn more on filtering with a ir moded dsl and i can not find i guess the answers... not for light pollution. but for better nebula imaging... Ha and O3 i guess is what i need to let thru ..

[@michaellovell4390]

Love your videos!

[@BenGieCruz]

I know this is old but, where you ever able to shoot the milky way with regular lens using this filter???

[@wanderingquestions7501]

I was shooting automatic repeating 30s exposures last night thru a Canon 7Ti and have a frame that had a circular light spot; perfectly round and stationary. There was no flash and so no light to reflect off of some flying bug. Memory error? Anyone see anything like that?

[@robertesensee3494]

I live in a class 7 zone and my sister lives out in the country a bit further out and she is in a class 4 zone. Would you use this filter in both zones or drop it when I got to the zone 4 zone? Many thanks from Texas!

[@Mohammed-zo3qq]

Hi trevor, out of your broadband filters which do you think is best?

[@mrtambourineman6107]

90second subs at 1600ISO - sounds good 👍

[@strelnikoff7]

Ok, after some research - and because I could not find Optolong L-pro for Nikon full frame to buy (it exists but I haven't found it yet) - I have looked into few other options - as clip-on filter for Nikon full frame unmodified camera. Can you or anyone else - compare/comment on STC Astro-Multispectra vs. Astronomik CLS vs. Optolong L-Pro ? Which one is ... well - better?

[@darshanbalotre8507]

Hello sir, I am really inspired by your work and i want to do deep sky photography. Canon 200d, 2x teleconverter, 70-300 lens and tripod thats all i have. So is this enough for getting started ?? And plz give me some tips cuz i dont have star tracking mount. Thanks ❤❤ from INDIA.

[@paulsmaglik5063]

High Point Scientific is a great company I have been working with them for years. I bought a ton of stuff from them and their technical support is the best and a fast response.

[@njbmods]

Hey Trev, Would this Optolong L Pro filter suit a canon eos r mirrorless? Thanks 😊

[@ppi57]

Hey Trevor, I wonder how cost effective it is to order from HP Scientific, with the exchange, duty, etc

[@qwertyu2387]

I'm a beginner so forgive me my ignorance but would you recommend this filter given I'm using ZWO ASI 1600 colour uncooled?

[@scott_meyer]

All of the street lights in my city are the new broad spectrum LED. Filters don't help much with that type of lighting.

[@davidrylatt4749]

Can I ask how do you remove the blue cast in post I'm new and struggling a bit with it

[@ivanaguilar2827]

what kind adapter you use from your camera to the telescope ? Minute 4:16

[@Brentwood123]

Will the Optolong L-pro filter screw onto a 2inch eyepiece ?

[@agustinarturoreynososantos1514]

Was your t3i modified? Regards!

[@Sourcecode01]

I just got the zenithstar 61, using with my cannon 600d, everything is looking great and got good shot of Orion last night (first night trying) my polar alignment is an issue though, using the app it always drifts off the etching ring after a short while, tried adjusting but I feel I am missing something massive, any advice welcome. Cheers!

[@sayfog]

Download AstroTortilla and start plate solving, it can be a pain in the ass to set up but it does wonders

[@JMECO73]

the Picard insert😆😆😆😆

[@nathansheppard2179]

Hey! Newfoundland flag in the back??? And, GO!

[@123Nabru]

nice video, you should do a compare video EQ6-R vs CEM60 :)

[@SiddharthaSanjibPhotography]

Square filter available ?

[@blapidarious780]

I was hoping to get one for my Canon 5D mk IV but unfortunately they don't fit. Great video though 🙂

[@haleyhuang9787]

Optolong has the full frame filter for Canon

[@alanalain4884]

@@haleyhuang9787 Don't work with all Canon, and not with the 6 D II or 5D IV...

[@petervisima4798]

High Point's website shows that the filter is on backorder. Bummer.

[@wizardz7938]

What no promo code for us?

[@markstanford2315]

Highpoint Scientific is a topnotch outfit.

[@tabiApo41013]

where to buy those red light torch (spotlight) ? thanks i'm sorry i don't know right words..

[@denispol79]

Hi, search for "headtorch led red". There are tons of them on Ebay

[@tabiApo41013]

@@denispol79 Hi , many thanks to you..

[@MrMarcinp1]

Optolong l-pro or Astronomik CLS canon unmod ???

[@alanalain4884]

Cautious, the CLS clip on don't work on 5D IV and 6D II I believe, check their site compatibility chart if you didn't buy yet.

[@gabewrsewell]

they make clip in filters for nikon?! finally!

[@melisaliu9914]

Hello Gabe, I am Melisa,yes, it is Optolong's Melisa mentioned in the video. Clip-Filter for Nikon FF cameras will be available on Nov.8th, the dealer will upload soon, applicable cameras: D600/D610/D700/D750/D800/D800E/D810/D810A/DF, , applicable lens: All Nikon lenses released after 2003

[@gabewrsewell]

Melisa Liu Thanks for responding. Any knowledge on whether clip in filters for APS-C nikon cameras are a possibility?

[@gabewrsewell]

Stever haha yep, i had my hopes up because that's what I've been searching for and i got my hopes up here because I had forgotten all the nikon clip ins i've ever seen were for full frame anyways. Oh well, i have a William Optics Z61 with the flattener, and it looks like a 2" filter will fit perfectly in there just like trevor shows in the video. win some lose some! ;)

[@marlonmc8080]

Buuutt light streets are not white LED light, are they?

[@utkarshmishra2766]

I think you applied noise reduction too much on this

[@ryang709]

Newfoundland Flag :)

[@wenjiliu3654]

I think that's from Japan...

[@youngbeter8684]

You should do VR Skyrim, it’s a breath taking view

[@ama168william]

A RASA???

[@scienceisawesome_]

4:13 moth

[@MarkGuinn59]

If you are not using a custom white balance when shooting with your LP filters you will never get correct color. Never.

[@MarkGuinn59]

@Stever What WB settings do you use? Is the camera modded or stock?