<p>Unmounted filters are just the bare filters which are designed to be put into slots in filter wheels (which have square or round recessed slots in them to hold filters). Mounted filters have a metal rim around them which holds (and slightly protects the edge of the filters) and typically have screw threads on them to enable them to be screwed into eyepieces.
The image below shows one of Las Cumbres Observatory's  14 position filter wheel that holds 2inch/50mm round filters.  <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/V7Bu9.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/V7Bu9.jpg" alt="Image of filter wheel holding mounted and unmounted filters" /></a> This wheel is holding both mounted filters (in the right/top right quadrant) and unmounted filters in the remainder of the wheel. Here is a closeup of one of the mounted filters:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Rmqmj.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Rmqmj.jpg" alt="Image of a mounted filter" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-17T16:33:27.083Z
2021-09-17T16:33:27.083Z
astrosnapper
<p>I'd like to know more about filter wheels and filters, but don't know the difference between these types. Can anyone explain (ideally with images)?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-17T11:36:20.307Z
What is the context? Where are you seeing these terms?
Peter Erwin
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-17T12:32:24.493Z
@PeterErwin Building a telescope. It seems mounted filters are those with a metal cylinder around them, with threads so they can be screwed in
2080
<photography>
What is the difference between mounted and unmounted filters?
2080
# What is the difference between mounted and unmounted filters?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-09-17)

I'd like to know more about filter wheels and filters, but don't know the difference between these types. Can anyone explain (ideally with images)?

**Tags:** photography

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What is the context? Where are you seeing these terms?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 Building a telescope. It seems mounted filters are those with a metal cylinder around them, with threads so they can be screwed in  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-09-17. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Unmounted filters are just the bare filters which are designed to be put into slots in filter wheels (which have square or round recessed slots in them to hold filters). Mounted filters have a metal rim around them which holds (and slightly protects the edge of the filters) and typically have screw threads on them to enable them to be screwed into eyepieces.
The image below shows one of Las Cumbres Observatory's 14 position filter wheel that holds 2inch/50mm round filters. [![Image of filter wheel holding mounted and unmounted filters](https://i.sstatic.net/V7Bu9.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/V7Bu9.jpg) This wheel is holding both mounted filters (in the right/top right quadrant) and unmounted filters in the remainder of the wheel. Here is a closeup of one of the mounted filters:
[![Image of a mounted filter](https://i.sstatic.net/Rmqmj.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Rmqmj.jpg)


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