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.
SKU | Description |
6005 | Visual Solar Filter (90mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 115mm to 125mm |
6006-B | Visual Solar Filter (102mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 112mm to 122mm |
6006-BL | Solar Filter (102mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 112mm to 122mm. Deeper collar for TeleVue NP101/ NP101LS |
6007 | Visual Solar Filter (114mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 130mm to 140mm |
6008 | C5, Etx 125 Solar Filter, Fits tube ODs 140mm to 150mm |
6009 | Visual Solar Filter (127mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 157mm to 167mm |
6010 | Visual Solar Filter (130mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 169mm to 179mm |
6011 | Visual Solar Filter (155mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 182mm to 192mm |
6012 |
Visual Solar Filter (170mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 204mm to 214mm |
6013-F |
Visual Solar Filter with Solar Finder (8”/200mm aperture) Fits tube ODs 220mm to 250mm |
6014 | Visual Solar Filter, Fits tube ODs 241mm to 251mm |
6015 | Visual Solar Filter, Fits tube ODs 262mm to 272mm |
6016 | Visual Solar Filter (253mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 288mm to 298mm |
6017-A | Visual Solar Filter (100mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 312mm to 322mm, Off Axis 100mm filter |
6018 |
Visual Solar Filter (305mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 337mm to 347mm |
6021-A | Visual Solar Filter (120mm filter aperture), Fits tube ODs 395mm to 405mm...Off Axis 120mm filter |
Why Kendrick?
Kendrick Astro Instruments manufactures more models, by 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 not scratch or mark the finish on your telescope, binoculars or camera lens. 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.
What Color is the Sun?
The Sun is White. You do NOT want a false “tinted” image. A filter that transmits the white color is what you really want and that’s what we manufacture. Some filter buyers look for filters that “tint” the color to be yellow/orange, but if you do that, you won’t see the beautiful dark red “Earth Shine” that happens during a solar eclipse. If you really want to “tint” as a false color, you can do that in Photoshop, but a tinted filter gives you fewer options in post-processing and also reduces the image contrast. Stick with “White”.
Best Image Contrast
Our filters are made with Baader Film and offer the best image contrast. That’s not just our opinion! We get so many stories from our customers who report that their Kendrick Solar Filter is far superior to “glass” filters. Owners will note that our film has a bit of “wave” and that is by design. If we could find a way to “crinkle” the film, contrast would be even better. We go out of our way to avoid stretching the film “drum tight” and it makes a noticeable difference.
Who uses Kendrick Solar Filters?
Kendrick Solar Filters are literally “out of this world”. You will find Kendrick Solar Filters all over the world and even in orbit! We’ve even made 3 trips to space onboard the International Space Station. Our filters use Baader Solar Film renowned for its excellent contrast and safety. Of course, thousands of us "terrestrial" dwellers also use Kendrick Solar Filters on our telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses.
Kendrick Solar Filters are perfect for visual observing AND photograpy. In fact, Kendrick filters, made with Baader Solar Film (white light) filters are the best type to use for eclipse and transit events.This photo, taken by a Kendrick employee during the 2017 Eclipse used a Kendrick Solar Filter on a Televue NP101is Refractor telescope:
Helpfull Guides and Videos
NEW>> - Solar Filter Selection Guide 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 and clamp onto the outside of the optical tube assembly (OTA). There are now thousands of telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses and we can't keep track, 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.
How To Video
This short YouTube video will show you the different styles of filters and demonstrate how to use the Solar Finder accessory https://youtu.be/psHb7kumg_0?si=5qea4FEB33KuOwUU.
Visual Solar Filters with Solar Finder |
NEW! Solar Filters with built in sun finder!
The new design has a built in sun finder making centering the sun in your eyepiece very easy. The finder target is visible from both the front and back sides of the filter making centering the sun easy from either end of the telescope.
We have replaced the filter rims with three tabs that contain a secure threaded insert and a nylon thumb screw, making the filter much lighter without reducing the security of the fit. The main reason we made this particular change is that many telescopes have dovetails or other attachments that interfere with the proper fitting of a solar filter to the telescope. Now the filter can be placed onto the scope so that the three thumb screws always firmly attach to the body of the scope. As well, the tabs extend down far enough to allow the thumbscrews to connect beyond the bevels found on some dewcaps or the corrector plate rings and tube rings of some telescopes, ensuring a very secure connection to the telescope.
The filter material itself is the famous BAADER AstroSolar Film. This film has set a new standard for white light filters and gives a very pleasing and high resolution image. The image color is a bluish white. The filters are available in photographic film also. Constructed of aluminum.
- Avoids dovetails, counterweights bars and otherdevices or objects that would prevent a standard ring stylefilter from fitting properly.
- Has built in Solar FInder to help locate and center the sun in your eyepiece. (Actually much harder to do that many would initially assume.
- Lighter weight design. Will not unbalance your telescope.
- Very easy to replace the filter ring if the solar filter material gets damaged.
- Held in place with nylon thumbscrews.
Visual Solar Filters for Scopes (Classic Ring Style) |
Customers have spoken! The Classic Ring style was a big hit, but our “SF” Models are far more popular. So, we are clearing out the inventory to make room. Once they are gone, the Classic Ring style will be discontinued.
The Classic Ring Style features solid metal collar all the way around the outside of the filter ring. Some of our customers prefer this style as they feel more secure about this type of design.
The Classic Ring Style has a more rigid design and replaceable filter rings if the filter gets damaged. The rings are held in place with nylon thumbscrews.
Please note that these filters cannot accommodate dovetail bars, counterweight bars or other accessories or devices that extend to the front of the telescope. If your telescope has accessories that will interfere with the fit of this particular filter, you must purchase the 6***-SF version of our filters.
Photographic Solar Filters |
Discontinued (July 2016)
We sold very few of the Photographic Filters because a Visual Filter CAN be used for photography, but a Photographic Filter CANNOT be used for visual observing.
NOTE: To ensure proper fit of the solar filter you must measure the outside diameter of the front opening of the telescope, binoculars or lens. To convert measurements in inches to metric, multiply your measurement that is in inches by 25.4. For example, a dewcap that is 6.25" outside diameter will be 159 mm (6.25 x 25.4 = 158.75mm)