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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters
Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters

Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters

by Baader Planetarium
SKU BAA-2459114
$62.00 - $62.00
$62.00
$62.00 - $62.00
$62.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Accommodates one 50x50mm unmounted square filter
  • Designed for the Baader Planetarium UFC (Universal Filter Changer) System
  • Enables quick, tool-free manual filter swaps
  • Low-profile design minimizes back focus consumption
  • Ideal for large-format sensors to prevent vignetting
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Baader UFC Filter Slider - for 50mm Square Filters

    The Baader UFC Filter Slider for 50mm square filters is the essential component for integrating professional-grade, unmounted filters into Baader's modular Universal Filter Changer system. It is specifically engineered to securely hold one 50x50mm square filter, providing a straight, unobstructed light path for large-format CMOS and CCD sensors. This design is critical for advanced imagers using fast optical systems, ensuring illumination from corner to corner without the vignetting often introduced by smaller filter formats.

    Seamless Integration with the Baader UFC System

    This filter slider is a core component of the Baader UFC, a fully modular system designed to adapt to nearly any telescope and camera combination. The slider inserts smoothly into any UFC Base, allowing you to swap filters in seconds without disassembling your imaging train. This manual approach is reliable, requires no power, and maintains a rigid, flexure-free connection between your camera and telescope.

    Optimized for Unmounted 50mm Square Filters

    The 50x50mm square filter format is the standard for serious astrophotography with full-frame or larger sensors, offering a clear aperture that prevents clipping the light cone of fast instruments like a RASA or HyperStar system. This slider is precisely machined to hold these unmounted filters securely. Using unmounted filters also helps to minimize the total back focus consumed by your filter assembly, a critical factor in complex imaging trains with reducers or flatteners.

    • Secure Mounting: Provides a safe and repeatable method for holding delicate, unmounted glass filters in the optical path.
    • Vignetting Prevention: The large clear aperture is essential for evenly illuminating sensors with large diagonals, from full-frame (35mm) and beyond.
    • Back Focus Economy: The slim profile of both the unmounted filter and slider preserves precious back focus for other accessories.

    Rapid, Low-Profile Manual Filter Changes

    In the field, speed and simplicity are paramount. The UFC slider system allows you to pre-load multiple sliders with different filters (L, R, G, B, H-alpha, etc.) and exchange them in moments. A magnetic catch ensures the slider clicks firmly into the correct position for imaging, providing tactile feedback that the filter is perfectly centered in the optical path.

    UFC 50mm Square Slider vs. UFC 2" Mounted Filter Sliders

    Choosing the right slider for the Baader UFC system depends entirely on your filter set and sensor size. While both offer the same quick-change convenience, they serve different applications.

    • Competitor Advantage (2" Mounted): Sliders for standard 2" mounted filters are more convenient for handling, as the filter glass is protected by its metal cell. They are ideal for users with existing sets of 2" round filters and sensors up to APS-C size.
    • This Slider's Advantage (50mm Square): The 50mm square slider is the superior choice for imaging with full-frame or larger sensors, especially in fast optical systems. The larger clear aperture is non-negotiable for preventing vignetting and ensuring the sensor is fully illuminated. It is the professional standard for wide-field, large-sensor systems.

  • What is the Baader UFC system and why do I need this 50mm square filter slider?

    The Baader Universal Filter Changer (UFC) is a modular system that allows you to place filters in your imaging train. It consists of a main UFC Base and various telescope/camera adapters. This specific UFC Filter Slider is the insert that holds your filter. You need this particular model if you are using professional-grade 50x50mm unmounted square filters, which are common for imaging with large, full-frame sensors to avoid vignetting.

    How do I install an unmounted filter into the Baader UFC slider?

    Installing an unmounted filter requires careful handling in a clean environment. The slider has a retaining mechanism, typically small screws and a cover plate, that you remove. You then gently place the 50x50mm filter into the recessed seat and re-attach the retainer to hold it securely in place. Always handle unmounted filters by the edges to avoid fingerprints on the optical surfaces.

    Is the Baader UFC 50mm Square Filter Slider a good choice for my Celestron RASA 11 and a full-frame camera?

    Yes, it is the ideal choice. A RASA 11 is an extremely fast (f/2.2) optical system that produces a large, demanding image circle. To avoid clipping the light cone and causing significant vignetting on a full-frame sensor (like one found in a ZWO ASI6200MM Pro), you need the largest possible clear aperture. The 50mm square filter format provided by this slider is designed specifically for this demanding application.

    Will this slider work with my Chroma 50mm square filters?

    Yes. This Baader UFC slider is designed for the industry-standard 50x50mm unmounted filter format. It is fully compatible with 50mm square filters from manufacturers like Chroma, Astrodon, and Antlia, provided they meet the standard thickness specifications for unmounted filters.

    What are the advantages of the Baader UFC slider system over a traditional filter wheel?

    The UFC slider system offers several advantages, particularly for manual operation:

    • Lower Profile: It often consumes less back focus than a bulky filter wheel.
    • Cost-Effective: A set of sliders is typically more affordable than a motorized filter wheel.
    • No Power Required: It's a simple, reliable mechanical solution, perfect for portable setups.
    • Flexibility: You can have as many pre-loaded filter sliders as you need, not limited to the 5 or 7 slots of a wheel.

    The main trade-off is the lack of automation; a filter wheel can be controlled by software for scripted imaging runs.

    How many Baader UFC sliders can I use at once?

    You can use only one filter slider at a time in the Baader UFC Base. The system is designed for quick manual swapping. You would typically purchase multiple sliders, one for each of your filters (e.g., L, R, G, B, Ha), and exchange them in the UFC Base as you change imaging targets or sequences.

  • Filter Compatibility 50x50mm Unmounted Square Filters
    System Baader Planetarium Universal Filter Changer (UFC)
    Net weight (kg) 0.07

    • Baader UFC Filter Slider for 50mm Square Filters

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  • Baader Planetarium Warranty