ZWO Narrowband SHO Imaging Filter Set
Best premium filters for serious astrophotographers capturing detailed deep sky objects.
This set includes three 1.25" mounted astrophotography filters designed for capturing emission nebulae, planetary nebulae, and supernova remnants. Each filter passes a narrow 7nm band of light for ionized sulfur (SII) at 672nm, Hydrogen Alpha (H-alpha) at 656nm, and ionized oxygen (OIII) near 500nm. By combining individual images taken with each filter and a monochrome astronomy camera, users can create high-contrast images, even in light-polluted skies. The filters are polished to ¼-wave and fully multicoated for optimal image quality, with peak transmission exceeding 80% at each passband. They also block UV and IR light for sharp star images. This set is specifically for monochrome cameras and is not suitable for DSLRs, one-shot color cameras, or cameras with larger APS-C or full-frame sensors.
$449.00
More Narrowband SHO Filter Set Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
82
/ 1292
#82 in Lens Filters
Price vs Category Average
+135%
Above average
FWHM
70.5
/ ±nm
Who it's for
- Astrophotographers seeking detailed, high-contrast images of emission nebulae.
- Urban astrophotographers wanting to capture deep-sky objects from home.
- Creative imagers desiring to produce iconic, vibrant false-color nebulae images.
Who should skip it
- Casual imagers or those with limited imaging time and patience.
- Beginners expecting immediate color images from a single shot.
- Budget-conscious hobbyists or those interested in diverse astrophotography targets.
Performance breakdown
Light Pollution Suppression
Narrow 7nm bandpass effectively isolates nebulae from urban sky glow.
Optical Precision
Quarter-wave polishing ensures minimal distortion across the entire image frame.
Transmission Efficiency
High throughput captures faint celestial details with impressive signal clarity.
Spectral Isolation
Tight bandwidths provide excellent separation of SII, H-alpha, and OIII signals.
Build Quality
Durable mounted design fits standard filter wheels for reliable long-term use.
System Compatibility
Strictly limited to monochrome sensors, excluding DSLR and color camera users.
Key Specs
FWHM
7±0.5nm
Thickness
2mm
Optical Quality
Fine-optically polished to ensure accurate 1/4 wavefront over the both surfaces
Transmission
80% at H-alpha line 656nm
Transmission
80% at SII line 672nm
Transmission
80% at major OIII line 500nm
Filter Type
Narrowband
Mounting Type
1.25" mounted
Know before you buy
No, these filters are specifically designed for monochrome astronomy cameras. They will not produce the intended results on one-shot color cameras or DSLRs.
These 1.25-inch mounted filters are not recommended for APS-C or full-frame sensors, as they may cause vignetting. They are best suited for cameras with smaller sensor formats.
The narrow 7nm bandpass is highly effective at isolating specific light wavelengths emitted by nebulae while blocking out unwanted light pollution. This allows you to capture high-contrast images even from bright, suburban skies.
Yes, to create a full-color SHO image, you will need to capture data through each of the three filters separately. You then combine these individual monochrome images using image processing software.
These filters are designed to block UV and IR light, which helps keep star images sharp and prevents the bloated appearance often caused by light outside the visible spectrum.
Each filter is precision polished to a 1/4-wave standard on both surfaces. This ensures minimal distortion and maintains high image clarity across your field of view.
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$449