Baader 2" CMOS Optimized RGB Filter Set

Baader CMOS Optimized RGB Filter Set

Optimized for current CMOS cameras, these 2" RGB (Red/Green/Blue) color filters from Baader have a balanced design with excellent contrast and transmission. These filters are compatible with extremely slow f/15 telescopes, extremely fast f/1.8 telescopes, and everything in between. Highly desired 1:1:1 subframe exposures are made possible by this balanced design, ideal for automated imaging. Steep slopes at all transmission curves significantly increase transmission for each RGB color channel. This results in filters with color contrast that is in accordance with conventional CMOS quantum efficiency and s/n ratio, as well as in incredibly low levels of stray light and reflections. Unwanted reflections are curtailed even more by lens edges that are blackened all the way around with filter-lead-side-indicator in the form of a telescope-sided black outer rim.

The majority of filters available from other manufacturers, especially those of the more moderately priced variety, are cut from a larger glass plate. As a result, they form micro-cracks around all edges that make them vulnerable to depreciation through the moisture accumulation, thus causing premature aging. This is not the case, however, with these RGB filters from Baader. Each individual filter in this set contains scratch-resistant Reflex-Blocker™ hard coatings as well as Life-Coat™ sealed coating edges to insulate them from the external environment. The quality of these filters will not diminish no matter how many times you clean them or how long you own them. Filter thickness matches current standards with particular concern for parfocality.

Baader CMOS Optimized RGB Filter Set Highlights

• CMOS optimized RGB (Red/Green/Blue) Bandpass Filter Set from Baader designed for use with between f/15 and f/1.8 focal ratio telescopes.

• All three RGB color channels offer incredibly high transmission for heretofore unheard-of reductions in stray light and reflections.

• Take matching 1:1:1 subframe exposures, especially crucial when it comes to automated imaging, thanks to a balanced design.

• Enhanced contrast for each filter comes courtesy of steep slopes at all transmission curves.

• Reflex-Blocker™ hard coatings and Life-Coat™ sealed coating edges are applied to each individual Baader RGB filter and not to a larger glass plate from which the filters are cut out.

• Each filter in this set is parfocal and matches existing filter thickness standards.

• The entire circumference contains blackened edges with black outer rim on the telescope side that acts as a filter-lead-side-indicator to prevent reflections resulting from light emissions spilling onto the edge of the filter.

• O-III line energy is doubled with the combined use of the "B" and "G" filters to allow the best attainable deep sky S/N through absolute maximum transmission.

• With the "R" filter, all 680 nm to 1200 nm infrared and near infrared light is intercepted while the maximum amount of light from objects emitting from H-Alpha and SII lines is allowed to pass through.

• Sources of inconvenient light, such as that from Mercury and Sodium vapor street lamps at 580 nm, are totally neutralized via the use of "G" and "R" filters, resulting in a darker background sky and color balance and separation that is without equal.

• Compatible with classic CCD camera technology in addition to newer CMOS camera models.

About the Red "R" Filter

With the Red "R" Filter, only transmissions from 595 nm to 690 nm wavelengths are permitted to pass, including those of deep sky objects in the H-Alpha line. While there is an intentional overlap between the "G" and "B" filters in terms of spectral emissions allowed to pass, a purposeful gap between the shortest part of the "R" region and the longest part of the "G" region results in the exclusion of a wide range of unwanted light emissions from street lamps and other terrestrial sources. Red "R" filters fully obstruct the NIR and IR from 680 nm up to 1200 nm while keeping maximum transmission of H-Alpha and SII emissions extremely high.

About the Green "G" Filter

Best suited for imaging O-III emission line objects using CMOS monochrome cameras, Green "G" filters transmit wavelengths between 490 nm and 580 nm. Despite the previously mentioned "G" and "B" filter overlap, the crucial H-Beta and O-III emission lines are clearly independent from one another. Although there are no critically important emission lines to be found in the vicinity of 580 nm, Mercury and Sodium vapor street lights do emit from this region. However, thanks to Baader's RGB filter design, these unfavorable emissions are cut off almost entirely, resulting in a darker sky background as well as better color balance and separation.

About the Blue "B" Filter

Of the three Baader RGB filters, The Blue "B" Filter allows the transmittance of the shortest wavelengths (400 nm to 510 nm). This is especially useful for applications involving objects emitting from the H-Beta line (486 nm) such as the Horsehead nebula. Like the "G" filter, the "B" filter also passes O-III emissions (501 nm). When used in combination, these two filters provide double the O-III line energy for unmatched deep sky S/N via extremely high peak transmission.