WHY, WHEN and HOW to use Dwarf 2 filters - PLUS MASSIVE ISSUE! :-(

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Dwarflab seems to be taking the issue very seriously (taking the time to investigate during the Chinese Spring Festival) and is currently checking with their filter supplier, fingers crossed that there are few affected filters out there and that they will be easy to trace!

[@StargazerMan]

Thanks for testing Cuiv! Was there any official public reply regarding the filter? Thanks.

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

Thank you very much for your critical assessment. I ordered Dwarf 2 just now and hope that this issue has been resolved meanwhile. I will also evaluate my 1.25 inch Optolong L-Extreme, which should fit into that filter holder.

[@TechJeeper]

Thanks Cuiv! I see DWARFLABS shared an update and a test method for replacement. Great testing and great work explaining the issue!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Just saw that, thanks for the update!

[@capnrob97]

Can someone share the update and test method here? I am not on facebook

[@jonathanr2830]

Thank you very much! Very good information. I feel confident that DwarfLab will respond in a positive manner, based on their exceptional, first-rate attention and focus on continuing improvements with their Dwarf II to date. You have contributed much to that grand effort. I am looking forward very much to getting mine, soon. Again, thank you!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Fingers crossed!

[@jamesmcenhill4037]

I think dwarf lab should be giving you a cut off the sales figures because its down to you that I felt confident enough to pre order mines and no doubt there are more people like myself who have done just by watching your streams, fantastic cuiv keep up the good work

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I wish I had an affiliate link lol

[@dersupra]

ditto. It was this channel that made me take the jump after about a month of looking around. I'm glad I did also. The D2 is amazing for what it is.

[@martynh5410]

Nice review and great discussion about this UHC filter. Assuming that your Spectrometer is accurate then this data does indeed deem the filter response to be useless. I’d guess there are some substantial variations in the production batches of these filters. This means it’s hit or miss for the consumer. Sadly most consumers don’t own the gear to test filters!

[@windrider23]

Thanks Cuiv, you reviews and updates of the Dwarf2 are great. Hopefully this issue will be corrected before the February shipping of preorders. I have a preorder in and have been wondering about filters for the Dwarf2. Knowing it's use for standard and astro photography. I was hoping you could recommend filters for the Dwarf2. Again thanks for keeping us new astrophotography hobbyist informed and entertained.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I'll be testing filters with it at some point!

[@andesastro]

You really gotta change the channel’s name to Cuiv, The Productive Geek. Really in depth review, thank you for your effort. Im not so interested on this product but i see me buying it for a family member to try to lure them to the hobby or at least get a companion for darker skies excursions! Cheers & clear skies!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Pedro!

[@playcapturereplay9371]

Great review on the UHC filter - will wait until the issue has been addressed.

[@leonardorser3455]

Keep up the good work. Between you and several other youtubers...I'm learning tons of stuff. Thanks

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad the videos are educational!

[@dow4hurst]

Cuiv, thank you for checking the UHC filter’s spectrum. Since the scope accepts 1.25” filters we can add a more precise filter, such as the ones you have checked. However, for the price of the scope versus other filters, I do hope that Dwarf Labs can have the filter manufacturer replace all the defective filters. It was your analysis of the IDSA and Optolong filters that made me think to ask!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

We'll see! They're sending me a replacement so it's a good start!

[@metalmasher6251]

I look forward to Dwarf Labs response to your discovery. There has been negative aspects uncovered by yourself and other early testers/users. But as you state, Dwarf Lab has been very good at addressing the issues and making changes. I hope it was a situation of early filter batches (sorry to everyone who has them) but that it will be remedied with new filters. I am also very interested to see nebulae images with the dual band filter you spoke of in the video. It is currently $239 US and an investment that is almost half the cost of the telescope. Small money compared to more expensive rigs to be sure but for us buying the Dwarf 2, it’s an interesting idea. Provided UHC filter (hopefully one that is correct) vs dual band filter. Thank you for the video. I am still eagerly awaiting my Dwarf 2’s arrival at the end of February if all things go well. My anticipated camping trip at an international dark sky area is in May and I am very excited and nervous about the results.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hopefully your Dwarf 2 will work out great!

[@carloslugardo3527]

Because of you I bought one Dwarf2 on December and waiting to arrived in Georgia USA

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Fingers crossed it works out well for you!

[@tinblue]

Thanks. It baffles me this info isn’t provided in the box.

[@pavre69]

i wonder if that filter is not more to used as a filter to cut out the haze in the sky or surrounding light when taking pictures of "nature"?

[@brian-g4dvb384]

As a newbie i fond this video very informative. Thank you !

[@paullewis7818]

Thank you again for a very informative video and also your help with the Dwarf 2. Can't wait for my pre ordered D2 to arrive. On the subject of filters, someone has amazingly got quite a good photograph of Jupiter on the Dwarf 2 using a polarising filter, its by no means perfect but, considering Dwarf 2 is reportably so poor at Planetary Photography. you can clearly see the gas bands and is much better than ive achieved using my DSLR connected to my Scope. Ive never used filters before what are your thoughts.

[@starShelter]

Great telescope for simple astrophotography. Unfortunately this hobby is very expensive for most people.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Exactly

[@cryptonite8495]

This video is nine months ago. Did you ever find out if you got a faulty filter with your early unit? Did DwarfLab later ship an improved UHC filter?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It was an early manufacturing issue, they recalled the filters from that batch and newer filters are fine apparently!

[@jimmyhelms2109]

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge on the Dwarf II. Will the Dwarf II track a solar eclipse?

[@jameskurzynski2386]

Thank you for your review! I didn't get the deluxe package, but I do own some 1.25" narrowband filters. Question: I was thinking about getting a 1.25 duo band to use when the Dwarf II arrives. Would you recommend that? What duo band filters would you recommend?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I haven't tested dual band filters yet, but you probably will be fine with something like the L-eXtreme or L-eNhance

[@jameskurzynski2386]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Excellent! Thanks!

[@josephfoster6110]

Love your attention to detail and your backing it up with great data and testing. I have an interest in this device and your info is just indispensable to my decision process! It looks like a cheap cool travel unit where I would be an opportunistic photographer based on where I might end up! Thanks so much! Peace J

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad it's being helpful!

[@Lord_Whiteley]

Is that a Blue Sky I can see in Tokyo - get imaging :) My DwarfII is on Pre-Order, so hopefully all the issues and new features will be sorted out by the time it arrives (mid February). in the mean time I have bought a Benro Polaris (Astro 3-axis version) to take to Tenerife next month - it’s an awesome device and I bought it after watching a video from Nico Carver. It’s not EQ though, but you can get a least 2 minute subs - maybe you should check it out or ask Benro for one to review ???

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I would love to test out the Benro - I thought it was equatorial though!

[@Lord_Whiteley]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek it’s Alt-Az but it is GoTo and very compact. Nico managed to get 2minute exposures with an 85mm lens

[@FrootyRecords]

Hey Cuiv, do you know the Dwarf 3 is coming out? Lots of improvements. hope you get one to review. :)

[@astroberg4774]

Hi Cuiv what would be a good dualband and narrowband filter upgrade to these filters be? I get the feeling dual 7nm would be to narrow for 10sec subs? Thank you

[@kolchak357]

Have you tried any other filters that you own? If so, do they work well with the Dwarf? With such a small diameter lens, I’d assume an aggressive filter could give a dim image. Maybe something less aggressive, like a Baader Moon & Skyglow? Just thinking out loud here.

[@larryhibbitts2099]

Great video as always Cuiv. Just a question - if you had another filter that you knew WAS good, and was the same size - you could just swap it in, correct? Based on their previous activity, I'm sure DwarfLabs will make this right.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes, it's a standard 1.25" filter!

[@michaellubrecht7224]

My Dwarf 2 just arrived. The UHC filter was packaged in a separate case from the ND filters, and I'd read that a new (correct) filter is now being included, which appears to be the case. I should be using the scope over the next night or so and can hopefully report back.

[@quasar9111]

got mine last week all 3 filter in separate little boxes, seems ive got the new ones

[@duncanbrown3422]

Have you tried using the dwarf 2 with the 37mm x2 lens and a converter ring that I see advertised on you tube,I would be interested in seeing your results

[@stal1963]

You mentioned the Optolong L-Extreme which will cost around 300$, almost as much as the Dwarf II itself. Do you recommend any other filter with 1.25“ - dual-band or tri-band - that would be beneficial for a beginners tool like a Dwarf II?

[@quasar9111]

got mine last week all 3 filter in separate little boxes, seems ive got the new ones

[@alanharbinson9004]

Very useful videos thank you! If you were to use something like the optolong l-extreme on the dwarf ii would it still be able to detect enough light to plate solve and track objects?

[@alanharbinson9004]

Hi, am still interested in the answer to this question. Grateful if you can consider 🙏

[@KipRode]

Hello, would it make sense to get an equatorial wedge like the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer and align the dwarf 2 with Polaris?

[@damnye996]

question, im just looking at nature, or mountains, or a sunset on the horizon and stuff do i need any filter?

[@Gaelmart]

Can you point us to a good filter.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Need to test other filters with it first!

[@chhupparustom]

Can you provide a link to the manufacturer of the spectrometer you've referred to? Thanks!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Here it is! www.goyalab.com/product/indigo-visible-spectrometer/

[@PowerScissor]

Does anyone know what would happen if I'm tracking a bird with the telephoto lens, and it flies in front of the Sun? I'm nervous it would ruin the sensor, or would a quick pass be fine?

[@davidwiniger3799]

Link to extreme filter 1.25”? Thanks. Sorry. Couldn’t understand brand due to accent.

[@marcopinna7754]

Ciao Cuiv, great video as usual and thanks for your test. I checked in your videos but I didn’t see the test with spectrophotometer … did you do it or not? I think it will be very useful to watch a video about the filter testing and the instrument usage. Thanks again for your fantastic job. Ciao. Marco

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Maybe it wasn't obvious enough, but "The massive issue" section of the video is the result of the test with spectrometer.

[@marcopinna7754]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek sure and this is not your first video when you test filters that are not exactly what the Vendor has declared. I’d like to learn your methodology because I would like to be able to test my filters and understand if I could use with specific objects without risking to loose some frequencies in the spectrum. I saw several spectrometers projects on the net but I don’t known which could be the right one to be used for this specific purpose. Any advice about the instrumentation ? Well done again and thanks for your efforts. Ciao. Marco

[@fazergazer]

So, I can’t recall. Do the filters that come with the dwarf have standard 1.25” filter threads? Ok I answered my own question looking at the Comments section. Yes!

[@N9XY]

Thank Cuiv. How do you calibrate your Spectrometer?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Mercury Argon lamp emission peaks and Neon lamp emission peaks

[@sky-watcher]

Excellent video!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad you liked it!

[@leboch65]

Cuiz, did dwarflab indicated to u which manufacturer supplied them the uhc filter?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not at this stage

[@HeyApos]

Hi and thanks, which spectrometer are you using?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Goyalab Indigo!

[@AstroSoundscape]

I get the impression Cuiv that this type of filter issue would be very common, I'm guessing there is little to no QC on these filters. Very frustrating as they're basically charging people for a useless piece of round glass.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Dwarflab has issued a statement on their various platforms with a special method to tell them about filter issues so they can replace them, so at least there's that. The supplier might apparently have mixed up substrate for another client...!

[@dersupra]

have you tried catching the Heart Nebula with the filter? That would probably be a good test... IF you can see it. I'm in the US and I think its visible to us right now

[@ppoinha]

Hey Cuiv, since you in contact with the dwarflab guys, any idea when they start shipping to us mere mortals ? Beginning of Feb or end ?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Sorry I don't know! But over on the Facebook group, some seem to have received it already!

[@PowerScissor]

They changed the word February to March on their website. Did not email their pre-order customers. I haven't gotten a single update from them. From what I gather they use a Facebook group...but I'm not going to sign up to Facebook so I can get updates on a purchase. While I've been waiting for the Dwarf II I've purchased a telscope, then a ZWO camera, now a tracking mount. I hope the Dwarf purchase works out...but at least I'll have a telescope to use now if it doesn't. Maybe they are being super responsive on Facebook, and to the KZbin influencers that are advertising their products....but us lowly customers who purchased a pre-order haven't gotten a single email update for the change in shipping date.

[@ppoinha]

Yeah I hope we don't get burned and get this in 2025.

[@mjmorrill081]

Ask them for a 3x Barlow to observe planets please?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not sure the weight of a Barlow would work well! The small aperture is really a limiting factor as well...

[@NMHC1978]

those filters are they 1.25" types

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep!

[@NMHC1978]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Nice so i can use my other filters as my l-optolong 1.25"

[@angusfraser5562]

cuiv what spectrograph do you use?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Goyalab Indigo

[@rsayers4270]

Hi,have you tried your own narrow band filters yet?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not yet!

[@rsayers4270]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek looking forward to when you do,Dwarf 2 ordered,cool channel to warch while i’m waiting😀

[@HaroldMcDermott]

Oh no I was pointing its at the sun without filters because I couldn't find the sun with it so dark, hope I didn't hurt nothing, I live in the northern hemisphere so sun's quite aways south😮

[@denodan]

I have a 2" optolong L extreme filter I can tape to the filter holder

[@johndoiron9615]

I've seen people use adapters for those.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I should do the same!

[@BERSERKR212]

I have seen a video of somebody using an adaptor which you can put on the magnetic filter holder exactly the same way as the one puts on the normal filters. After that you can put/screw/mount the 2" filter in the adaptor. So when you already using a 2' filter for your normal astro gear it's very simple. You only have to order the adaptor. But the main question here is where can you order them . . . . and I can remember which video it was where I saw them . . . .

[@mercury7]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek so the adapter is on Amazon, it’s a 1.25 to 49mm adapter, then you also order a 49-48 step down ring

[@charlesm.1638]

Can I use my battery pack by connecting it directly to the Dwarf 2?

[@mercury7]

I think it’s been determined the battery has to be installed but has a pass through feature, so if you plug it in, enough juice goes to power the camera with the remainder charging the battery…. Unconfirmed but pretty sure that’s how it’s designed, will not power up plugged in with battery removed

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Mercury7 is correct, this matches my tests

[@charlesm.1638]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek thank you. I was thinking of I wanted to do a series of long exposures for different parts of the sky.

[@mercury7]

Cuiv, unrelated to filters but was wondering if you ever gained any insight in to how the camera is able to track off level….. ie, it should not have worked when you polar aligned without having a special mode to where the alt motor did not track. I’m still trying to figure how that is achieved…. Only thing I can think of is the camera performs some type of guiding at beginning of exposure and then sets the motor speed accordingly….if that’s true though then it should track no matter how much you tilt it.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

The initial calibration, does three plate solves, and should be enough to measure the inclination of the camera as far as I can tell? It doesn't do pure equatorial I would assume, just the Dec motor will effectively move much lrss

[@djregan9121]

Hi Cuiv... Thanks so much for this video! Question: Have you heard if folks have experimented with other 'off the shelf' filters with the DWARF II? Curious if other off-the-shelf filter suppliers can provide filters that could be used with the DWARF II. If you have had any success with other suppliers, would it be worth another video? Thanks Cuiv. --DJ

[@mercury7]

Would not be surprised for dwarf lab to just put out a statement that if you ordered the premium package and you suspect the uhc is not performing well we will send you a 20 refund, no replacements….. that’s what I would do, kill that headache quickly and let people order them on their own. Seems unrealistic to source these filters at the price point needed, the amount of batch throw always are probably huge with any serious qa like the premium filter manufacturers do…. So probably best for Dwarf to exit that game quickly if it’s going to be an issue. They can still probably offer the solar filters safely in the premium package…. I would advise them not to try to replace any of the uhc filters…. Not worth the effort

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

We'll see what they end up doing!

[@peterwoolliams1283]

Worth plotting the curves on top of each other for a closer comparison. Sounds like buying a low cost generic UHC would be better value? ?you drying your clothes on the roof?!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Those are my neighbor's clothes on his roof :p

[@graemefryer6227]

Still waiting for my dwarf 😞

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hope it arrives soon!

[@denodan]

THE UHC Filter is useless anyway, they don't block light pollution from LED lighting, which is increasing

[@michaelcamilleri6849]

It is still useful for emission nebula with LED (broadband) light pollution. The UHC filter (if working to spec) reduces broadband light pollution by about 60% whilst hardly reducing the emulsion lines for Ha,Hb and Oiii. This will greatly increase the signal to noise ratio and improve the images. It is not useful for broadband targets such as clusters and galaxies or reflection nebula as it reduces the brightness by ~60% and for faint galaxies and reflection nebula in particular this greatly increases the exposure time and makes the effects of sensor noise worse.

[@andrevanzegveld]

Sponsored by dwarf?????

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

For pointing out a massive issue in their filter?

[@familylopes7230]

Thanks for the warning. Solution: There are many instructions online on how to make a DYI spectrometer. Google Theremino and you will find some options. The software allows calibration and gets pretty accurate. I’m in the process of finishing building one precisely to test my filters. Cheers!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hope it works great for you!