Adapter M54 (male) to UFC base from Baader Planetarium

Adapter M54 (male) to UFC base (camera/ocular side) Baader Planetarium

Baader-UFC (Universal Filter Changer)

The Baader-UFC universal filter changer is the economical answer to a growing problem. New camera developments are appearing on the market at breakneck speed. Spacers between telescope and camera do not maintain the correct distance or are subject to twisting due to weak design and the weight of the cameras. And users prefer to change the telescope - or use multiple optical tubes, rather than buy new filters and holders for the same ones all the time. The Baader Universal Filter Changer (UFC) is a simple answer to a (seemingly) complex problem. This exchanger is designed with typical Baader mentality, trying to connect everything in the most elegant and flex-free way.

The filter receptacle (UFC base) is the heart of the system, which accepts for now three different types of sliding filters: 2" (with M48 thread), 50 mm round and 50x50 mm square. The sliding filter holders are fixed in the device by means of an adjustable magnet, which ensures the exact position of the filter for repeated use. A brass pivot protrudes from one side of the slide holder, which allows easy ejection of the slide holder without pushing the filter and thus prevents movement of the telescope when replacing the filter.

Versatile application - for almost any telescope / camera

The camera side of the UFC base (filter receptacle) is left open - until the corresponding camera adapter is mounted directly on the UFC base. The purpose of this is to have the filters mounted with a minimum distance to the image sensor, thus avoiding additional vignetting.

The telescope side of the UFC base has a dovetail receiver with 6 mounting screws spaced every 60°, for mounting all S70 dovetail adapters and spacers registered by Baader. Also available are rigid UFC-S 70 spacer tubes measuring 5/15/40 mm in length, as well as an ultra-stable S70 Vari-Lock spacer, with a scale engraved in millimeters, adjustable between 15 and 20 mm. These four spacers allow precise adjustment for any change of back focus for both intra-focus and extra-focus telescope configurations. Keep the set of six tiny screws handy, they will be needed sometimes, especially when proper spacing is difficult to obtain. Each joint must be able to rotate, while a minimum focal length is required.

Another set of telescope adapters, with the S70 male dovetail facing the camera side, completes the set, enabling the user to mount the UFC system on almost any type of telescope securely and without flexing. For attachment to the RASA astrograph at Celestron, for example, the S70/RASA adapter is made of stainless steel for maximum robustness while keeping the stage thickness tolerance to a minimum.

For any telescope and camera, simply replace the corresponding adapter on either side of the filter receptacle when changing instruments and want to continue using the given filter set.

As a further advantage, any camera lens can be used with the UFC universal filter changer. In this case, the UFC base will be attached to the front of the lens by adding both the S70/SP54 adapter and the holding plate ..... as well as one of the various step-rings from the Hyperion ring system. Remember that filters must be mounted upside down when using the universal filter changer with camera lenses.