Switch your 2" filters without unscrewing the camera from your telescope! The ZWO M54 filter drawer is especially useful to astrophotographers using one-shot color (OSC) cameras want to be able to easily change the filter in their optical train without having to invest into an expensive and heavy 5 x 2" or 7 x 2" electronic filter wheel. The M54 version of the ZWO filter drawer is made specifically for the large format ASI6200MC Pro camera as well as the ASI2600MC Pro DUO camera.
The filter drawer comes with one magnetic 2" filter holder, which snaps into place to ensure a secure and repeatable fit. You can order more separetely. Many astrophotographers find out that, when it's completely dark outside, they want to swap their filters without having to screw and unscrew the filters from the holder. By having one holder per filter, they can have all their filters ready and simply snap the desired holder in the drawer!
With a diameter of only 70mm, this filter drawer is also perfect to be used in front of the optics of HyperStar systems or Celestron RASA telescopes.
Changes on V2 Filter Drawer
The V2 filter drawer was designed to completely eliminate light leaks when capturing long exposures.
Filter Compatibility
The drawer is compatible with most 2" mounted imaging filters. Even though we do not recommend the use of 1.25" filter with large format cameras compatible with the M54 filter drawer, the use those small filters is possible with the optional ZWO 2" to 1.25" adapter.
If you use a filter from a third party, make sure its cell is not too thick. The external thread on the filter must not be more than 2.7mm and the non-threaded part of the cell must not be more than 7.5mm. If your filter cell is too big, consider changing it for a lower profile one, such as the #2459252L filter cell from Baader.
How to add the ZWO M54 Filter Drawer to your telescope
If you use a ZWO camera, integrating this filter drawer into your optical train is really easy. Since the M54 filter drawer has an optical length of 20mm, you can simply substitute the 21mm adapter that comes with the camera with the filter drawer and its included M54 to M48 adapter in your optical train. Please refer to the diagrams below to have an illustration on how to reach the 55mm backfocus with your ZWO camera.
If you use a smaller format camera, such as the ASI533MC Pro, we recommend the M42 filter drawer.
If you use a Canon EOS or Nikon lens, we recommend, respectively, the EOS filter drawer or the Nikon filter drawer.
The filter drawer from ZWO is not only compatible with ZWO camera. If you have enough backfocus available, it can be installed on any cameras with a M54x0.75 female thread.
There is a M54x0.75 (T2) external thread on the camera side of the drawer. On the telescope side, we find a M54x0.75 internal thread. A 2mm optical length M54 to M48 adapter is included with the drawer, which allows, if required, to convert the M54x0.75 internal thread on the telescope side of the drawer to a M48x0.75 internal thread.
How to install the ZWO Filter Drawer on a small format ZWO Pro Cameras
How to install the ZWO Filter Drawer and OAG on a small format ZWO Pro Cameras
How to install the ZWO Filter Drawer on a ZWO APS-C Pro Cameras
How to install the ZWO Filter Drawer and OAG on a small format ZWO APS-C Pro Cameras
Mechanical Drawing
