Filter Wheels
A filter wheel is what makes monochrome imaging practical. Without one, every channel change means touching the telescope, breaking focus and losing framing; with one, the sequence runs unattended all night while you sleep. David Astro carries filter wheels in Canada in manual and motorized designs across the common filter sizes, held in our Canadian warehouse.
Wheel choice is constrained by your filter size, your camera and the back-focus you have available. Send us all three and we will specify the combination.
Filters
Daystar Solar System Filter Wheel
Houses up to four independent, electronically tuned solar filters Switches between filters in less than three seconds Choose a loaded configuratio...
View full detailsiOptron iEFW-15 5-Position Electronic Filter Wheel for 1.25'' or 31mm Filters
Automates filter changes for astrophotography 5-position carousel Accepts both 1.25" mounted filters Accepts 31mm unmounted filters Enables unatte...
View full detailsiOptron iEFW-18, 8-Filter Electronic Filter Wheel for 1.25'' or 31mm Filters
Holds up to 8 filters Compatible with 1.25" mounted filters Compatible with 31mm unmounted filters Electronic control for automated imaging Des...
View full detailsPegasus Astro Indigo Filter Wheel - 7 x 2"
Holds seven 2-inch mounted or 50mm unmounted filters Ultra-thin 19.0mm CNC-milled aluminum body Stepper motor with optical encoders for precise po...
View full detailsPlayer One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 5x2"
Accommodates five 2-inch mounted filters Automates filter changes for imaging sequences Designed for LRGB and narrowband astrophotography USB conn...
View full detailsPlayer One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 7x36mm
Accommodates 7 x 36mm unmounted filters Enables automated filter sequencing for monochrome cameras Ideal for full LRGB + narrowband imaging setups...
View full detailsPlayer One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 8×1.25"
Holds eight 1.25" mounted filters Automates filter changes for complex imaging sequences Ideal for LRGB, SHO, and other multi-filter palettes USB ...
View full detailsPlayer One Phoenix Filter Wheel -7x2"
Holds seven 2-inch mounted filters Automates filter changes for unattended imaging Ideal for LRGB and narrowband palettes Designed for cameras wit...
View full detailsPlayer One Phoenix Filter Wheel -7x50mm
Accommodates seven 50mm round, unmounted filters Designed for large-format and full-frame sensors Enables automated LRGB and narrowband imaging se...
View full detailsQHYCCD CFW3
Multiple carousel options for 1.25", 36mm, 2", and 50mm filters Direct-drive motor with shortest-path seeking logic Thin body profile enables use ...
View full detailsSBIG Aluma 8 x 36mm Filter Wheel
FW8S-Aluma is the standard (non-guided) 8-position filter wheel for Aluma Series cameras. This filter wheel does not have abuilt-in self-guiding im...
View full detailsSBIG CFW-402 RGBC for STF-402
This is the internal filter wheel for the SBIG STF-402M only. It contains very high quality interference filters custom made for this camera. Note ...
View full detailsSBIG FW8-8300 for STF
Compatible with: Specifications Power 12 VDC Computer Interface I2C OS Compatibility Windows 32 and 64 bit OS, Mac Weight 1.35 lbs Filter...
View full detailsSBIG Standard Cover for FW8-Aluma
Standard front cover for Aluma filter wheel – replaces the self-guiding front cover when minimum back focus distance is needed.
SBIG Standard Cover FW8-STXL
Standard front cover for STXL filter wheel – replaces the self-guiding front cover for use with camera lens adapters.
SBIG STX 5 x 65mm Square Filter Wheel
Special order only. Specifications Computer Interface I2C OS Compatibility Windows 32 and 64 bit OS, Mac Weight 4.35 lbs Filter Size 65mm S...
View full detailsSBIG STX 7 x 50mm Square Filter Wheel
The SBIG FW7-STX is a 7-Position, 50mm square filter wheel for STX and Aluma AC series cameras.The SBIG FW7-STX is a 7-Position, 50mm square filter...
View full detailsSBIG STXL 8 x 36mm Filter Wheel
The SBIG FW8S-STXL provides 8 filter slots for all SBIG STXL camera models. Specifications Filter Size 36mm / 1.25" Weight 2 lbs OS Compatibi...
View full detailsSVBONY SV133 5-Position Filter Wheel - 1.25"
Accommodates five standard 1.25" threaded filters Manual wheel with precise click-stop positioning T2-threaded connections for direct camera attac...
View full detailsSVBONY SV133 5-Position Filter Wheel - 2"
Accommodates five 2-inch filters 2-inch barrel for telescope connection 2-inch eyepiece and camera compatibility Enables rapid filter changes duri...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Snowflake Filter Wheel - 8 x 36mm Super Low-Profile
Holds 8 x 36mm unmounted filters Ultra-low profile design, as thin as 14mm Gear-driven mechanism with anti-backlash for repeatability Dedicated 8t...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Snowflake Filter Wheel - 8 x 50mm Super Low-Profile
Accommodates 8 x 50mm unmounted filters Ultra low-profile body for systems with limited back focus Gear-driven mechanism with anti-backlash for re...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Snowflake Filter Wheel - 8 x 50mm/2"
Accommodates 8 x 50mm round (or 2" mounted) filters Ultra low-profile design for tight back focus requirements Gear-driven with anti-backlash mech...
View full detailsZWO EFW - 7 x 50mm Square Filter Wheel
Holds seven 50mm square unmounted filters Designed for large-format sensors like the ZWO ASI461MM Pro Direct bolt-on connection for maximum rigidi...
View full detailsChoosing a Filter Wheel
Three specifications determine whether a wheel works in your system: filter size and count, optical thickness, and how it integrates with your camera and guider.
- Filter size and position count: More positions means fewer swaps, but a larger wheel diameter and often greater thickness. Five to seven positions covers LRGB plus narrowband for most imagers.
- Optical thickness: The wheel consumes back-focus, and this must be included in your corrector spacing calculation. Slim designs exist specifically to conserve it.
- Mounted versus unmounted filters: Wheels are built for one or the other. Unmounted square filters maximize clear aperture for large sensors but need a compatible carrier.
- Motorized versus manual: Motorized wheels are essential for unattended sequences. Manual wheels are cheaper and adequate if you are present and refocusing anyway.
- Off-axis guider integration: Many wheels accept an integrated off-axis guider, keeping the train short and the guide star picked off ahead of the filters.
- Vignetting geometry: Filter size must suit sensor diagonal and the distance from filter to sensor. Too small and the corners darken regardless of the optics.
Why Choose David Astro for Filter Wheels
A filter wheel is a back-focus decision as much as a convenience one.
- Thickness included in the calculation: We provide a complete spacing list with the wheel accounted for, so your corrector still lands on its design distance.
- Filter size verified against your sensor: We calculate the size needed to avoid vignetting rather than assuming the nominal match is adequate.
- Off-axis guider planned together: If you will need one at your focal length, we specify it with the wheel so the geometry works out the first time.
- Authorized dealer: Genuine wheels with manufacturer warranty, in Canadian stock.
- Ships from Canada: No duties or brokerage fees for Canadian orders.
Filter Wheels in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions
- How many filter positions do I need?
- Five covers LRGB plus one narrowband. Seven covers LRGB plus Ha, OIII and SII, which is the complete common set and avoids ever swapping filters by hand.
- What filter size should I use?
- It depends on sensor diagonal and how far the filter sits from the sensor. 36 mm typically suits APS-C in a standard wheel; full frame usually needs 50 mm square or unmounted 2 inch.
- Does the wheel affect my back-focus?
- Yes, significantly — often 20 mm or more of the typical 55 mm budget. It must be included in the calculation along with the camera and any off-axis guider.
- Manual or motorized?
- Motorized if you run unattended sequences, which is most of the point of monochrome imaging. Manual is a reasonable economy only if you are at the telescope throughout the session.
Building a mono imaging train?
Send us your camera, filters and corrector and we will specify the wheel and spacing. Full warranty, shipped from Canada.