The Altair GPCAM3 664C Colour camera has both very high sensitivity in the green wavelengths crucial for planetary imaging and the near IR red regions.
With a full well depth of 39 ke- the camera has very high dynamic range compared to most planetary cameras, meaning higher gain settings can be used to maintain high frame rates - even on dim targets like Saturn.
The sensor has no amp glow and therefore offers better performance for deep-sky imaging or video astronomy. Read noise of 5.35 – 0.46 e- depending on gain setting, is also extremely low.
increased full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise are characteristic of the latest STARVIS 2 CMOS technology.
Feature summary Altair 664C CMOS Camera:
- IMX664C Colour CMOS Sensor
- On-chip HGC, LCG and HDR Support
- Resolution: 2688 x 1520 (4.1mp)
- 2.9 um Square Pixels
- Diagonal 9.02 mm (Type 1/1.8 Optical Format)
- 12-bit ADC
- 512 Mbyte Memory
- Sensitivity: 2000 m V or more per 1 µm2
- Low Noise: 6.2 – 0.69 e-
- High Frame Rate 97 FPS @ 2688*1520 8bit mode
- Binning from 1x1 to 8x8 in either stacking or averaging modes.
Speed and reliability: USB3.0 format is fast yet stable, and a 512mb DDR3 Memory buffer enables faster more consistent frame rates.
Included software: The well featured intuitive AltairCapture software is included in a CD ROM, and can also be downloaded from www.altairastro.help. AltairCapture is a stable 64 bit Windows application, which allows full control of the camera in high speed video or still mode. It includes extensive automation features, and supports all the major file formats useful for astro imaging and professional scientific imaging in 14bit or 8bit mode.
Furthermore, the popular PHD Guiding, SharpCap PRO, APT and NINA are also natively supported. ASCOM drivers are also available for download at www.altairastro.help where you can also get regular updates. The installation process is easy, and unlike with cheaper cameras, you don't need to be a computer expert to make your camera work. Just install the software on the CDROM, plug in the camera, and that's it.
Wide USB compatibility: Although this is a USB3.0 camera, it's also fully compatible with USB2.0 ports when a longer cable and less speed are required, for example in deep-sky or video astronomy using the live stacking features in AltairCapture or Sharpcap.
Autoguiding: The camera has an ST4 auto-guiding port, and can be used to auto-guide with mounts from all the major manufacturers supporting ST4 format, including iOptron, Celestron and Skywatcher. The sensor is more than sensitive enough for autoguiding.
Support & warranty: Altair delivers proper on-shore English-speaking UK & EU support with a 2 year manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. New users should check out the Altair Astro Facebook Group where you can get answers to technical questions, as well as sharing tips and techniques. AltairCapture software interface supports most European languages including English, German, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Chinese, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish.
File formats: The camera can be fully controlled in AltairCapture and SharpCap to output uncompressed .AVI and .SER video files for solar system imaging, as well as all common still image formats such as .JPEG .PNG .TIFF .BMP, and .FITS (for deepsky imaging) to mention just a few. Common astronomy file format information here.
- Camera body.
- 1.5m USB cable.
- 1.25 inch x nosepiece with female 1.25" Astronomy filter thread on the front.
- (Optional 2" OD Nosepiece with dual 2 and 1.25" filter threads is available, code GPCAM-2IN)
- CS-Mount insert (12.5mm back-focus) is pre-installed on camera. (Optional 5mm extension adapter is available for C-Mount lenses requiring 17.5mm back-focus.)
- UV-IR Blocking or Clear AR Coated Front optical glass filter with Anti-Reflection coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning or swappable).
- Plastic dust cap 1.25".
- Silicon dust cap for sensor.
- Software CD (Instructions online at www.altairastro.help )
Camera Back-focus & Adapter compatibility:
- Cover glass is removable for cleaning and can be swapped with a clear or UV/IR blocking glass as required. Choose Product code: OW-GP-UVIR or Product code: OW-GP-CLEAR.
- CS-mount lens compatibility: C-Mount male threaded lens with 12.5mm back-focus (or flange-distance) requirement.
- C-mount lens adapter 5mm extension: Optional
- C-mount lens compatibility: C-Mount male threaded lens with 17.5mm back-focus (or flange-distance) requirement.
- Astro filter thread adapter: Included, 1.25" OD and 2 OD (optional), Female thread
- Sensor surface distance from flat end of CS-mount adapter: 12.5 mm effective optical distance
- Sensor surface distance from flat end of 1.25" / M42 Astro adapter: 37 mm
Products specifications
Technical Data | Sensor | Sony IMX664 back illuminated sensor | Diagonal | 9.02 mm (Type 1/1.8) | Image Resolution | 4.1 mega pixels (2688*1520) | Pixel Size | 2.9mm ´ 2.9mm | Image Area | 7.84mm ´ 4.45mm | Max FPS at Resolution (tested with USB 3.0, SSD, short cable). For USB2.0 mode, estimate approx. 50% frame rate. | 12bit | 8bit | 48 FPS @ 1920*1080 63 FPS @ 1920*1080 118 FPS @ 960*540 | 97 FPS @ 2688*1520 125 FPS @ 1920*1080 234 FPS @ 960*540 | Shutter Type | Rolling shutter | Exposure Time | 0.1ms – 1000s | Gain | 1x – 150x brightness (LCG, HCG and HDR supported) | SNR | 46 dB | Dynamic Range | 76 dB | Read Noise | 6.2 – 0.69 e- | QE Peak | >91% | Full Well Capacity | 38ke- | ADC | 12bit / 8bit options | DDR3 Buffer | 512MB (4Gb) | Connection Port | USB3.0/USB2.0 | Camera Adaptor | Standard 1.25’’ for telescope connection, and standard C adapter for industrial lens | Optical Window | Anti Reflection Coated (transmits NUV and NIR) | Spectral Range | 350-1050nm with AR Coating (transmits NUV and NIR) | Capture/Control SDK | Windows/Linux/macOS/Android Multiple Platform SDK(Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc.); | Recording System | Still picture and movie | Camera Dimensions | Diameter 37mm * height 72.4mm | Camera Weight | 70 grams | Back Focus Distance | 17.5mm with C adapter, 12.5 with CS adapter | Cooling: | Passive cooling | Supported OS | Microsoft® Windows® 8 /10 / 11 (32 & 64 bit) OSx(Mac OS X) Linux |
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