QHY QHY268M Pro I Mono Cooled CMOS Camera
QHY QHY268M Pro I Mono Cooled CMOS Camera
For complex, demanding, and precise applications QHY brings you a camera that pushes the boundaries of "Pro" means. With an increased buffer, incredible throughput potential, and precision timing/synchronization connectivity, this camera is ready serious astronomy applications. For the academia, industry, or serious astronomy professional, the QHY QHY268M Pro I Mono Cooled CMOS Camera delivers!
Building upon their impressive QHY268M platform, QHY brings you a camera ready for the most demanding applications and installations. With the standout Sony Back Side Illuminated IMX571 monochrome CMOS sensor at its core, this camera gives you a fantastic foundation for your data collection; with 6252x4176 resolution, deep full-well depth, excellent dynamic range, and low read noise. Tailor this performance to your application with in-depth control via QHY's six separate readout mode profiles, and suppress noise in your data with Random Change Thermal Noise Suppression Functions built in and two stage sensor cooling. QHY has paired this excellent imaging base with their intelligent Pro I series design to truly tune this instrument for demanding applications. With dual 10 Gbps fiber outputs alongside USB 3.0, a 6-pin GPIO port customizable through QHY's API, equipment/ GPS trigger in/out ports, massive 2 GB image buffer, and a 4-pin CFW accessory port, the QHY268M Pro I brings its QHY268M's photographic prowess into the realm of those operating in academia and industry.
A New Level of 'Pro'
QHY gives Pro a whole new meaning with this upgrade to the QHY268 camera line! Alongside the snappy USB 3.0 connection, this camera gives you two lightning quick 10 Gigabit fiber connection ports. When paired with a compatible PC PCIe expansion card (sold separately), this gives you unprecedented throughput; with just one fiber channel doubling the maximum of speed of USB 3.0. This fiber connection also well exceeds the cable length limits of USB, allowing you to establish a snappy connection out to 300 meters. This connection is further immune to EMI interference, shielding your data stream. Alongside this incredible interface are 6-pin GPIO, Trigger In, and Trigger Out connections that allow you to orchestrate complex/ timing-sensitive equipment and data collection workflows. Supporting the incredible data collection potential of this powerful instrument is an extra 1 GB of DDR3 memory, giving you a total of 2 GB buffer for more protection against slowdowns in fast paced data collection situations.
An Incredible Instrument
Enter the arena of advanced data collection with an excellent sensor supported by QHY's cutting edge camera design and feature set!
BSI APS-C Sensor
The QHY268M Pro I utilizes Sony's
IMX571 APS-C sensor as its data collection foundation. This crop sensor
features a Back Side Illumination (BSI) design, providing improved full well
depth and Quantum Efficiency (QE) compared to front side illumination
designs. This is reflected in this sensor's excellent 51 ke- full-well depth
and about 90% peak QE performance, which perfectly pairs with a native
16-bit ADC, high dynamic range, and low read/ dark current noise. This
performance sits in 3.76 μm pixels. The omission of a Bayer matrix from
this monochrome variant of Sony's powerful sensor gives you more sensitivity
and lower noise compared to One Shot Color (OSC) cameras, perfect for
recording scientific data where signal strength and clarity can be crucial.
Granular Sensor Control
Adapt your camera to your
application, with QHY's multiple readout modes! Shoot in Photographic
(standard) mode and enjoy balanced sensor performance at low gain, or engage
High-Gain mode to improve performance across the board in the 60-100 gain
range. For strong dynamic range and full well depth across the entire gain
range at the cost of some read noise, with an increased max full well of up
to 75 ke-, enable Extended Full Well mode. Complimenting these three modes
are 2CMS variants of each, giving you each mode's unique experience with
reduced read noise through secondary sampling technology. These powerful
readout modes are backed by QHY's 'TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT' which delivers
your image without any post-processing noise reduction, giving you maximum
control in the post-processing room and preventing the 'star eater' effect
seen in some mirrorless/ DSLR cameras even when noise reduction is toggled
off; a critical consideration for rigorous result integrity standards.
Superb Supporting Technology
Alongside QHY's powerful
Pro I series enhancements is their stellar photography line supporting
technology and design. Combatting thermal sensor noise is a two-stage
cooling system, allowing you to reduce the chip's temperature -35°C
below ambient temperature for >1 second exposures and -30°C below
ambient in higher frame rate scenarios. Amp glow is similarly suppressed
through QHY's Zero Amplify Glow technology. Keeping the AR+AR coated window
into the sky above clear of moisture is a two pronged approach, with an
integrated window dew heater and powerful moisture sealing design. A
built-in sensor allows you to keep tabs on your instrument's chamber
humidity; maintenance is as straightforward as temporarily connecting the
included drying tube (desiccant not included). Finally, QHY helps ward your
camera again low voltage damage with their UVLO technology which reduces
power draw to 70% when voltage drops below safe levels*!
*Please Note: Once the Under Voltage Locking (UVLO) feature has been
tripped, it must be reset in software to unlock power consumption above
70%.
Power and Ports
The QHY268M Pro I camera comes
equipped with a strong selection of I/O for your in-depth system build
needs. For power, this camera accepts 12V 3A input through the the secure
threaded connection. For precise timing and synchronization, a 6-pin GPIO
and two trigger ports (IN and OUT) have been added to the base camera
design. Alongside these additions are two 10 Gbps fiber ports for a faster
connection that can reach much further than USB. For less demanding
applications, a USB 3.0 port is included as well. For simplified control of
QHY's ecosystem of other accessories, the QHY268M Pro I also comes equipped
with a 4-pin CFW port.
Spacers Included
The QHY268 Monochrome Photographic APS-C CMOS Camera comes with QHY's Adapter Set B1. This gives you: a 5 mm M54-M54 spacer, 5 mm M54-M48 spacer, 4 mm spacer, two 3 mm spacers, 1 mm spacer, a 10 mm spacer, and sixteen M3 bolts (eight 24 mm and eight 28 mm). This set is perfect for the astrophotographer looking to pair this monochrome camera with some of QHY's filter wheel and OAG options (not included).
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
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