Baader 2" Contrast-Booster Filter # FCB-2 2458365

Description

Baader 2" Contrast-Booster Filter # FCB-2 2458365
Description
Ordering Info
USA Shipping
International Orders
Returns
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1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Baader Contrast Booster filter reduces violet fringing around bright objects when viewed achromatic refractors
Composed of multi-coated Neodymium glass for superior color balance for visual observation of the moon and planets
Superior fine optical substrates for excellent performance, even at high magnifications
Hard ion-beam-deposited and scratch-resistant coating for easy, safe cleaning and long life
Mounted in spring-loaded optical cell to ensure superior optical performance
Eliminate Violet Fringing While Improving Contrast and Color
Based on the popular Baader Moon&Skyglow filter, the Baader Contrast-Booster delivers a significant enhancement of planetary and lunar contrasts while also eliminating the damaging blue defocused haze present in achromatic refractors. Gone are the annoying blue halo and obscuring haze that surround and smear resolution and contrast.  Subtle contrasts and colors are boosted, while displaying the full resolution of your scope.
The Contrast-Booster combines a special proprietary melt of Neodymium glass, made only for Baader Planetarium, with a carefully designed 23 layer dielectric long-pass blocker on one face, and a 7-layer ultra-low antireflection coating on the other face. By aggressively filtering out the defocused blue wavelengths, a light yellow tint is imparted to objects (although noticeably less than a typical yellow filter). The special coatings enable over 95% transmission across key portions of the visible spectrum (including H-Alpha). This results in a filter that retains the colors and color contrasts in challenging subjects like Jupiter, without excessive image dimming.  Cloud bands retain their ruddy red hues, but now become more striking in contrast. The Great Red Spot finally becomes easier to observe. Planets and lunarscapes are set against a jet black sky. The Contrast-Booster is a must for Solar observing (when paired with a safe Baader Astro Solar filter).
As many users have found, this is a also great filter for Mars! The views of Mars with all telescopes (including reflectors and apochromats) benefit from the RGB filtration plus blue blocking.
The Contrast Booster filter is primarily intended for visual observation, but when combined with the Baader UV-IR-Cut Filter, the pair makes the ideal filter set for digital imaging. The ¼-wave fine optically polished surfaces guarantee the sharpness and contrast of the image. Filters are available in both 1.25" and 2" sizes.
Superior Optical Quality, Even at High Magnification
At the heart of the Baader filters are their special fine optical substrate polishing process and advanced hard coating design. The result is a filter that imparts virtually no image degradation. Manufacturers of lesser filters, to prevent deterioration from cleaning or exposure to moisture, sometimes resort to sandwiching their delicate coatings between two layers of filter glass, resulting in potential blurred or double images. Unlike these lesser filters, the superior optical quality of Baader filters allows for use at higher magnifications which are particularly useful for studying fine detail, particularly in brighter diffuse and planetary nebulae. Baader filters can take high magnifications, and stars retain their pinpoint sharpness, even if the filter is used far ahead of the image plane when used for astrophotography or when used ahead of a star diagonal or binoviewer.  Baader filters fulfill the requirements of an ideal optical filter - to perform at highest efficiency without any other detectable effect on the image.
Advanced Optical Manufacturing for Long Life and Superior Performance
Unlike many budget filters, Baader Planetarium filters are not “biscuit cut” out of larger plates of glass, a process that causes micro-cracks around the filter edges. These cracks can attract moisture between the glass substrate and coating layers via capillary action which causes premature aging and degradation.
By contrast, each Baader filter is individually cut to size (either 1¼", 31mm, 36mm, 2", 50,4mm, 50x50mm, 65x65mm), then polished flat on both sides to a quarter wavelength to ensure maximum image sharpness and distortion over the entire filter, even when the filter is not close to the focal plane. Then each blank is then individually coated with a hard, ion-beam-deposited scratch-resistant coating. However, the coating is not applied all the way to the edge of the substrate to ensure the filter is sealed against the penetration of moisture, even in very humid conditions. This is especially important in multilayer, narrowband filters where moisture can seep in if the coating is not properly deposited. The hard coatings also mean Baader filters are easier and safer to clean without damage.
Baader filters are also tested repeatedly to comply with MIL-specifications. One common process is to boil the test specimen for one hour in salt water to induced damage. Unlike budget filters cut from larger plates, Baader filters remained completely intact without changes in their transmission characteristics after this rigorous environmental testing.
Baader’s careful engineering and manufacturing mean you need to buy a Baader filter just once and it will last you for a lifetime of astronomical observations.
About Baader Filter Cells
Many filter vendors insert their filter blanks into standard tightly-screwed filter cells. Unfortunately, the stress on the filter can result in drastic deformations of the substrate and degradation in optical performance.
That’s why all Baader filters are no longer tightly fixed but are held spring-loaded in the filter cell. The filter glass may ever so slightly “clatter” in the cell when shaken, but that neither affects the image quality nor results in a displacement in the final image. This “clatter” is not a flaw in the filter cell. It is entirely intentional.
Note:
Occasionally, the product you receive might have a slightly different cosmetic appearance or labeling than what is shown. This can often change from batch to batch according to the whims of the manufacturer. However, you will always receive a brand new, original product as described above.
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2. ORDERING INFORMATION
Payment:
We only accept Paypal and major credit cards through Paypal.
Shipping Method:
United States Postal Service (USPS), unless otherwise specified.
Checkout:
Please pay for the item(s) within 3 days from your account on eBay or by using the link in the email you receive from eBay.
Shipping Discount:
We offer shipping discounts if you order multiple quantities/items. eBay will automatically show you the correct, discounted shipping costs when you check-out.
Combining Purchases:
You can combine shipping for items purchased from us on eBay within 3 days. Buy the items individually, and check out together for all items. eBay will combine the shipping weights and show you the discounted shipping cost. You must check out for all items together via eBay for this. We cannot combine shipping costs after you check out individually for your purchases.
Sales Tax:
8.5% sales tax added if your Ship-To address is in California.
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3. US SHIPPING
Delivery Time:
Most orders ship within 1 business day of receiving payment. First Class shipments will take 3-5 days to arrive after we ship it. Priority Mail shipments will take 2-3 days. However, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the USPS. Delays of up to 2 weeks can occur in about 5% of the shipments.
Tracking/Delivery Confirmation:
eBay will update you once your order ships. You can see the order status or tracking information from your eBay account at any time.
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4. INTERNATIONAL ORDERING / SHIPPING
Shipping Cost:
Click on the "Shipping and Payments" tab above and select your country to see your shipping choices and cost. If you need a shipping cost estimate for multiple items, please contact us.
Delivery Time:
1) USPS First Class International:
Delivery takes about 3-4 weeks after we ship your package.
This can frequently take 4-6 weeks or more for several countries (8 weeks for Italy, Argentina, and South Africa; 8-12 weeks for Brazil)
.
THERE IS NO TRACKING FOR FIRST CLASS SHIPMENTS. The information shown in your eBay account is just a customs form number - it is NOT a tracking number as incorrectly indicated by eBay.
Once your package ships, we can do nothing but wait until your package arrives. Please do not become impatient and contact us in 2-3 weeks if your package has not arrived. If you don't receive the package in 6 weeks, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue. If you don't want to take the risk of this delay, then DO NOT USE First Class mail - use Priority or Express shipping instead.
(2) USPS Priority Mail International:
Delivery takes 1 - 2 weeks after we ship your package. This can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to several countries. The USPS provides some basic tracking information for Priority shipping.
(3) USPS Express Mail International:
Delivery usually takes 5-10 business days after we ship your package. You will receive a tracking number with which you can track your shipment from USPS.com. Note: If you use this option, you must send us your phone number when you check-out or else your shipment will be delayed. This is required for international postal forms.
Again, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the US Postal Service. The most common reason for delays is slow customs inspection and clearance in your country, and can be very long, even for Express mail packages. Upon shipping your order, delivery delays are beyond our control, so do not leave us negative feedback or file a Paypal claim if your package is delayed. Delays are quite common but losses are very rare, so your patience/cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Customs and Duties:
You are responsible for any duties and taxes that may be levied in your country. These are not included in the item price or shipping cost. We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be or if they will be levied upon delivery. Customs policies vary widely from country to country (Some countries such as UK are strict about imposing hefty customs duties). It is your responsibility to check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the delivery company or your country's postal service, or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are NOT additional shipping charges.
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5. RETURN/EXCHANGE POLICY
US Orders:
Returns must be shipped back
within 30 days
. All returned items must be in brand new, resalable condition with original manufacturer’s packaging. A minimum restocking fee of 10% will be deducted if there is any evidence of use or wear, dirt, scratches, missing packaging/parts, etc. We may levy a larger restocking fee if the condition warrants it, or even refuse returns entirely if returned in heavily used/abused condition. Shipping fees are non-refundable (for items with free or discounted fixed shipping, the actual outbound S&H cost we incurred will be deducted) and you are responsible for all return shipping costs. Please contact us first before returning an item.
International Orders:
No returns/exchanges accepted unless the item we shipped is defective. Please research the product and ask us any questions BEFORE you purchase to make sure you are buying the correct item for your needs.
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