Kendrick Solar filters featuring Baader film are famous for their exquisite sharpness and detail across the entire field of view in an eyepiece and have a very pleasing and comfortable image brightness.
Kendrick Astro Instruments manufactures more models, bar far, than any other solar filter manufacturer. From the largest telescopes, to binoculars and camera lenses, we have a model to fit your application. All models use nylon thumb-screws to secure the filter to your telescope/lens. Nylon is a soft material and will not scratch the pretty paint job. Unlike the other brands' "friction fit" system, our fastening system allows the use of a larger frame which increases the clear aperture area for unobstructed full field of view.
Baader film is incredibly tough and does not break or tear easily. To puncture it with a blunt object takes a lot of force, much more force that would be used in normal day to day useage.
Unlike glass filters, Baader film does not have a perfect cosmetic surface. Wrinkles, folds, kinks, pinholes and other imperfections in this film are normal and will be present on any Baader film solar filter purchased from us. These do not affect the image quality or safety of the filter. In fact, most experienced solar observers say that "wrinkles" improves image contrast. Pinholes, even at full solar intensity, work as a camera obscura. This means that each pinhole would project its own solar image, just like eyepiece projection. Anyone expecting or requiring a perfect cosmetic filter surface should consider another manufacturer's filter.
Who uses Kendrick Solar Filters?
3 more of our filters just arrived onboard the International Space Station, and this is our 3rd trip into space! The current mission will use Kendrick Solar Filters mounted to conventional telephoto camera lenses. Our filters use Baader Solar Film renowned for its excellent contrast. Of course, thousands of us "terrestrial" dwellers also use Kendrick Solar Filters on our telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses.
NEW>> - Solar Filter Selection Guide Udated July 5 - Find the perfect fit for your telescope. Use this handy selection guide: Solar Filter Selection Guide (PDF)
Filters will attach to the front of your telescope/binoculars/camera lens. There are now thousands of telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses, so we intentionally avoid stating size information with reference to specific equipment models. But it is really easy to find the right fit. Simply measure the outside diameter of your optical TUBE. NOT the size of the lens or mirror, but rather the diameter of the tube that houses your lens/mirror. If you are using a refractor telescope or camera lens, you have a choice to attach the filter to the Dew-Shield/Lens-Shade OR directly onto the body of the telescope/camera lens. SCT & Dobsonian owners take note....do you have dove-tail bars or other accessories mounted near the front of your telescope? Take those into account when chossing the right fit.