Baader Planetarium RGB R-Filter – CMOS-optimized
- Red (R) filter for LRGB astrophotography
- Available in 1.25" & 2" mounted, round unmounted and square sizes
- Optimized for modern CMOS sensors
- High-transmission coatings
- Suppresses reflections and halos
The RGB R-Filter is a foundational component for LRGB color astrophotography, engineered specifically to meet the demands of modern, high-sensitivity CMOS sensors. Offered in mounted 1.25" and 2" cells as well as unmounted round and square formats, this filter isolates the red portion of the visible spectrum, providing the high-contrast data needed to reveal surface detail on planets and capture emission nebulae structure.
Modern CMOS sensors are highly reflective, a trait that can cause halos and internal reflections around bright stars when using older filter designs. This CMOS-optimized R-Filter features advanced anti-reflection coatings on both surfaces, ensuring that light passes through to the sensor only once, preserving stellar integrity and maintaining a dark background.
In LRGB imaging, the R-Filter captures the red data that, when combined with Green and Blue channels, forms a full-color chrominance layer. The red channel is particularly vital for accurately rendering the color of Mars, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, and the deep reds of H-II regions in emission nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42).
The mounted 1.25" and 2" versions fit standard threaded filter wheels and drawers, while the unmounted 31mm, 36mm and 50.4mm round filters drop into filter carousels and wheels designed for those sizes. The 47.4mm unmounted version is made for the FCCT and compatible holders, and the 50x50mm and 65x65mm squares serve cameras with full-frame and larger sensors. Choosing a size whose clear aperture fully illuminates your sensor avoids vignetting, even with fast optical systems, ensuring your flat frames are even and your stars are round to the corners.
This filter is used with a monochrome astronomy camera to capture the red (R) channel of an LRGB (Luminance, Red, Green, Blue) image. It isolates red light, which is essential for creating full-color astrophotos of planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
Modern CMOS sensors are more reflective than older CCD sensors. CMOS-optimized filters have advanced anti-reflection coatings that prevent halos and other artifacts from appearing around bright stars, resulting in cleaner images.
No. The R-Filter is one part of a set. To create a full-color LRGB image, you will also need matching Green (G), Blue (B), and typically a Luminance (L) filter, and capture data through each one separately before combining them in software.
The 1.25" and 2" mounted filters thread into standard filter wheels and filter drawers. The unmounted round and square filters require an electronic or manual filter wheel or drawer designed for that exact size (31mm, 36mm, 50.4mm, 50x50mm or 65x65mm), and the 47.4mm version needs the FCCT or a compatible holder – none of the unmounted sizes fit standard threaded 2" cells. The wheel sits between your telescope and monochrome camera.
Mars is a predominantly red object. Using a high-quality R-filter allows you to capture maximum contrast and detail in its surface features, such as the polar ice caps and dark albedo regions like Syrtis Major Planum. It is the most important color filter for planetary imaging of the Red Planet.
Yes. Many emission nebulae glow strongly in red light from Hydrogen-alpha emissions. The R-Filter captures this signal effectively, providing strong structural detail for the red channel of your LRGB image. It can also be used to complement dedicated narrowband H-alpha data.
| Filter Type | Red (R) Channel - LRGB |
| Size | 1.25" |
| Format | Mounted |
| CMOS Optimized | Yes |
| Filter Type | Red (R) Channel - LRGB |
| Size | 2" |
| Format | Mounted |
| CMOS Optimized | Yes |
| Filter Type | RGB Red (R-Filter) |
| Size Standard | 2" |
| Format | Unmounted |
| Diameter | 47.4 mm |
| Coatings | CMOS-optimized |
| Intended System | FCCT and compatible holders |
| Filter Type | Red (R) Channel - LRGB |
| Size | 31 mm |
| Format | Unmounted, Round |
| CMOS Optimized | Yes |
| Filter Type | Red (R) Channel - LRGB |
| Size | 36 mm |
| Format | Unmounted |
| CMOS Optimized | Yes |
| Filter Type | Red (R) Bandpass Filter |
| Size | 50.4mm Round, Unmounted |
| Series | RGB CMOS-Optimized |
| Filter Type | Red (R) Channel - LRGB |
| Size | 50 x 50 mm |
| Format | Unmounted, Square |
| Sensor Coverage | Full-frame (36x24mm) and larger |
| CMOS Optimized | Yes |
| Filter Type | Red (R) Channel - LRGB |
| Size | 65 x 65 mm |
| Format | Unmounted, Square |
| Sensor Coverage | Full-frame (36x24mm) or larger |
| CMOS Optimized | Yes |
RGB R-Filter (selected size)
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