HF108B Filter Wheel: High‑Speed Fluorescence Imaging for Automated Microscopy Systems

21.04.26

Modern fluorescence imaging demands speed, stability, and compatibility with increasingly large fields of view. Prior Scientific’s HF108B filter wheel has been engineered to meet these requirements head‑on — delivering rapid filter switching, outstanding optical performance, and an ultra‑thin profile suitable for commercial microscopes, confocal units, and OEM imaging platforms.

Designed for Speed: Achieve sub‑38 ms filter switching for fast fluorescence imaging

Most fast fluorescence imaging techniques rely on rapid, reliable movement between filter positions. The HF108B achieves filter-switching times under 38 ms, enabling users to capture dynamic processes with greater temporal resolution and significantly lower inter-channel delay. This performance is ideal for high‑throughput applications, live‑cell imaging, and any workflow where minimizing photobleaching and phototoxicity is critical. With modern imaging systems increasingly optimized for larger fields of view, the HF108B keeps pace by supporting 32 mm diameter filters to ensure maximum clarity and detection efficiency across large sensors. 

With eight filter positions, the HF108B gives users the freedom to expand their setup — expanding the wavelength range of their light source or incorporating novel infrared fluorescent probes without reconfiguring hardware. 

Transform Your Imaging Workflow

Faster filter switching doesn’t just improve image acquisition speed: it transforms entire experimental workflows.

• Higher-throughput screening becomes possible because fluorescence channels can be captured more quickly.
• Reduced exposure of live cells to light avoids photobleaching during sensitive experiments.
• By moving from a motorized filter turret to an emission filter wheel, researchers can reduce acquisition times by more than fivefold, enabling them to capture more data in less time. 

Compatible with multiple camera adapters

The HF108B can be configured with numerous common camera adapters:

• C‑mount for standard microscopy cameras
• F‑mount to achieve the full field of view offered by modern microscopes
• TFL‑mount for a more stable connection with cameras using APS‑C format sensors 

Adapters can be swapped easily, even after installation, allowing users to adapt their system quickly as their imaging requirements evolve.

Simple installation on upright or inverted microscopes

The HF108B is engineered to make installation as straightforward as possible. It arrives pre-fitted with the correct adapter for the intended microscope, and it can be mounted on both upright and inverted configurations with ease. 

Users simply position the wheel on the camera port and secure it in place. The system is designed to ensure the camera sits at the correct optical distance from the microscope without additional optics or spacers, reducing setup time and simplifying system integration. 

Precision engineering for fast setup and easy adjustment

Quick filter installation

Once the magnetic shield is removed, filters can be installed in a few seconds. The HF108B uses a threadless locking mechanism that automatically positions each filter at the center of the aperture, requiring no additional tools or manual alignment. 

Built‑in parfocal adjustment

Most HF108B wheels include a parfocal adjustment mechanism, allowing fine‑tuning so that objectives remain in focus even when magnification changes. Adjustments can be made with common tools or simply by hand, depending on user preference. 

Independent camera rotation

Unlike many filter wheels, the HF108B allows the camera to rotate independently from the wheel. This prevents clashes with the microscope frame and enables the user to orient the camera freely to achieve the ideal framing. 

Ultra-thin profile for OEM integration

The HF108B’s slim form factor allows engineers to incorporate high‑speed fluorescence switching into tightly packed imaging platforms without compromising optical alignment or mechanical stability.

Take your imaging system to the next level

Whether you’re upgrading an existing fluorescence microscope or designing a new OEM imaging platform, the HF108B provides a powerful, flexible solution for fast, accurate filter switching. Its combination of speed, precision engineering, and user‑friendly design makes it an ideal choice for any modern imaging workflow. Contact us to discuss your application.