LPro with packaging

Optolong L-Pro

Formats

  • 1.25″ Mounted
  • 2″ Mounted (48mm thread)
  • M77 Mounted
  • Canon EOS APS-C Clip-in
  • Canon EOS Full Frame Clip-in
  • Nikon Full Frame Clip-in
  • Sony Full Frame Clip-in

Spectral Transmission

Optolong L-Pro Spectral Transmission Chart
Yellow line is published transmission. Color fill is my independent verification with the filter I tested. Note: I used a Quartz Tungsten-Halogen bulb which is broad spectrum, but does not have good throughput in the blues hence I only vouch for the accuracy of my independent verification from 500-900nm.

Physical Characteristics of 2″ filter

  • Filter mount thickness: above threads: 5mm; including threads: 6.78mm
  • 48mm threads
  • Minimal knurling only on top
  • Highly reflective interference filter
  • Inner retaining ring does have notches for easy filter disassembly with a spanner

Real world tests

Canon 5D photo of NGC7000
Bortle 4, Canon 5D mk iii (stock), AT60ED at f/6, ISO1600, 15 min integration (6*150s)
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Bortle 4, QHY168C, Cooled to -10C, AT60ED at f/6, Unity gain, 16 min integration (8*120s)
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Bortle 9, Canon 5D mk iii (stock), AT60ED at f/6, ISO1600, 10 min integration (20*30s)
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Bortle 9, QHY168C, Cooled to -10C, AT60ED at f/6, Unity gain, 15 min integration (10*90s)
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LPro with packaging
Optolong L-Pro
Reader Rating430 Votes
19
Pros
Works reasonably well under all conditions tested
Good star color
Cons
Expensive for a light pollution filter
90
Purchase from:
  1. Excellent information Nico. I bought the L-Pro in Spring 2020 but only used it a few times with my unmodded Canon T2i under bortle 6-7 skies (Baltimore suburbs). I found it difficult to color balance. I’ve since started using a ZWO ASI183MC-Pro and also PixInsight. I’m thinking I should give this another try. My next Project will be the Horsehead and Flame Nebula and I’ll be looking more toward the Baltimore light dome (also lower in the sky). Do you think this would help for this next target?

    One suggestion… add the images with and without filters shown in the video to this website. Unless I’m mistaken I only see the images with the filters. I’ve heard people rave about the Optolong L-Enhance.. any chance you’ll review that one as well?

  2. Excellent review and YouTube video. I love that you can clearly see the improvements the filters make in the YouTube video.

  3. Thanks Nico,
    I really liked your comparison on YouTube. Would be helpful to have the side by side comparison on this page as well.
    CS,
    Phillip

  4. If you have a chance to add the Optolong L-Ultimate it would be appreciated. I love my L-eXtreme, but hater the halos. Thanks for your great reviews.

    1. Hi Carol,
      Yes, that filter looks very interesting. I am pretty slow, so I’m not sure when I will get to a review, but it’s definitely on my list to try.
      Cheers, Nico

  5. Hey Nico,
    Great review on YT and again here. Just wondering if there would be a difference of opinion between different astro cams with different sensitivities to IR. For example I know the newish ASI585 MC Pro is very sensitive to near IR as it is also useful to planetary imaging. Will something like the l-pro be better than a cls only filter to suppress some star bloat do you think?
    Cheers

    1. Yes, different astro cams have different filters installed. For example the ASI2600MC, has a full cut-off after SII so you don’t have to worry about blocking IR with that camera. I haven’t looked closely at the 585, but if it is open to the near IR, the L-Pro would be better than the CLS for deep sky. Astronomik also makes the CLS-CCD which blocks the IR. But I’d take an L-Pro or Baader Neodymium over a CLS. I just like the results better.

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Final Score