ZWO SHO Narrowband Imaging Filter Set - 36mm Round Unmounted
Best specialized imaging for advanced astrophotography enthusiasts.
This set includes three 36mm round unmounted astrophotography filters designed for capturing emission nebulae, planetary nebulae, and supernova remnants. Each filter passes a narrow 7nm band of light: SII at 672nm, Hydrogen Alpha at 656nm, and OIII near 500nm. By combining individual images taken with each filter and a monochrome camera, users can create high-contrast images, even in light-polluted skies. The filters also block UV and IR light for sharper star images. Each filter is 2mm thick, polished to ¼-wave, and fully multicoated, offering over 80% peak transmission. This set is ideal for monochrome ZWO cameras and compatible filter wheels but is not suitable for DSLRs, one-shot color cameras, or full-frame sensors due to aperture limitations.
$549.00
More Narrowband SHO Filter Set Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
82
/ 1292
#82 in Lens Filters
Price vs Category Average
+188%
Above average
FWHM
70.5
/ ±nm
Who it's for
- Astrophotographers in light-polluted areas seeking clear deep-sky images
- Deep-sky imagers wanting to capture stunning, high-contrast nebulae
- Enthusiasts aiming for artistic and scientifically rich deep-sky compositions
Who should skip it
- Beginners expecting a versatile filter set for all celestial targets
- Imagers with limited observing time or seeking quick results
- Newcomers to astrophotography post-processing workflows
Performance breakdown
Light Pollution Rejection
Narrow 7nm bandpass effectively isolates nebulae from urban light interference.
Optical Precision
Quarter-wave polishing ensures minimal distortion for crisp, high-resolution deep-sky captures.
Transmission Efficiency
High peak transmission keeps exposure times manageable for monochrome sensor setups.
Star Sharpness
Integrated UV and IR blocking prevents bloated stars and chromatic aberration.
System Integration
Seamlessly fits standard 36mm filter wheels for efficient automated imaging sessions.
Versatility
Limited to monochrome cameras and specific sensor sizes, excluding DSLR users.
Key Specs
FWHM
7±0.5nm
Thickness
2mm
Optical Polishing
1/4 wavefront over both surfaces
Peak Transmission
>80% at H-alpha (656nm), SII (672nm), and OIII (500nm)
Filter Diameter
36mm
Filter Thickness
2mm
Filter Format
Unmounted
Mount Compatibility
ZWO manual or electronic filter wheels accepting 36mm round unmounted filters
Know before you buy
No, these filters are designed specifically for monochrome cameras. Using them with a one-shot color camera will block the majority of the light reaching your sensor, resulting in extremely poor image quality.
These are 36mm round unmounted filters, so they are compatible with any filter wheel designed to accept that specific size. They are perfectly suited for ZWO's own electronic and manual filter wheels.
A 7nm bandwidth is narrow enough to isolate specific emission lines from nebulae while effectively blocking light pollution and moonlight. This allows you to capture high-contrast details even when imaging from urban or suburban environments.
These filters are parfocal, meaning they are manufactured to the same 2mm thickness. While you should always check your focus, you generally will not need to make significant adjustments when rotating between the SII, H-alpha, and OIII filters.
These 36mm filters are generally too small for full-frame sensors and will likely cause significant vignetting. They are best suited for cameras with smaller sensor formats, such as APS-C or Micro Four Thirds.
By blocking unwanted UV and IR light, these filters prevent the bloated, soft star halos often caused by these wavelengths. The high-quality 1/4-wave optical polishing further ensures that the light passing through remains precise and sharp.
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$549