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Designed and built in Europe, Moravian Instruments CCD
cameras are designed with maximum image quality in mind. Camera electronics ensure read
out of the image with noise
limited by the CCD chip itself. Camera bodies are compact and
robust, CNC manufactured from solid aluminium. G2 and G3 series
of cameras are powered from single unregulated 12V DC supply,
G1 cameras are powered directly from the USB line. Embedded
inside G2 and G3 cameras are mechanical shutter and filter
wheel. These cameras can also cool the CCD detector up to 50C
below ambient temperature.
Comparing apples with what appears to be
apples is not a simple case of which CCD imaging chip used.
The KAF8300 is a typical example of a CCD used in a variety of
cameras today. What matters more so is how they are designed
(wired) into the post processing circuitry including layout
and separation within the camera housing to yield the best
possible low noise hi end signal performance as the engineers
at Moravian have demonstrated. Moreover, buying a camera with
an internal filter wheel that can use highest quality (lower
priced) 1.25" filters provides a true saving over others that
need larger filters with external filter wheels for LRGB
colour imaging.
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Moravian Instrument use the finest hand
selected CCD detectors and design their camera electronics
for maximum output performance |
Super Large format G4 CCD
cameras
Cooled CCD cameras of G4 series contain
detectors with 36 × 36 mm area, which is 50% more than
photographic “full-frame” format. G4 camera dimensions are the
same like dimensions of G3 series, with the exception of
camera head thickness—G4 cameras are somewhat slimmer, because
they do not contain internal filter wheel. Also camera
handling, software control, power supply and connection to the
host PC using fast USB 2.0 interface is the same like in the
case of G3 cameras. Filter wheel for 50 × 50 mm square filters
(round filters of 50 mm diameter cause vignetting on such
large CCD chips) cannot be placed inside the camera head due
to limited space. But it is possible to connect external
filter wheel for 5 large filters to the G4 camera, the camera
head already contains connector for external filter wheel
control.
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Model |
Color
mask |
CCD chip |
Resolution |
Pixel
size |
Image
area |
Download
time |
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G4-9000 |
no |
KAF-09000 |
3072 × 3072 |
12 × 12 μm |
36.9 × 36.9 mm |
~ 12.5 s |
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G4-16000 |
no |
KAF-16803 |
4096 × 4096 |
9 × 9 μm |
36.9 × 36.9 mm |
~ 22 s |
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Available by special order. Call for
a quote.
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Large format G3 CCD
cameras
G3 cameras
are capable to use large CCD detectors up to 24 × 36 mm.
Precisely regulated and efficient cooling of the CCD more than
50C below ambient temperature allows quality image
calibration. There are mechanical shutter and filter wheel
with 5 positions for 2 inch filters inside the camera head, so
these cameras can be used in unattended, robotic setups.
CCD chips Kodak KAF with
linear response to light are suitable for scientific
applications. Large area of these detectors fits long focal
length of big telescopes. Large pixels ensure high image
dynamic range.
Astrophotographers
appreciate Kodak KAI detectors with ABG and electronic
shutters. Anti-blooming ensures round images of bright stars,
which cannot be avoided especially on wide-field images.
Electronic shutter then allows short exposure times, necessary
e.g. for capturing of fast moving objects.
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Model |
CCD |
ABG |
Color
mask |
Resolution |
Pixel size |
Chip area |
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G3-01000 |
KAF1001E |
no |
none |
1024 × 1024 |
24 × 24 μm |
24.6 × 24.6 mm |
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G3-06300 |
KAF6303E |
no |
none |
3072 × 2048 |
9 × 9 μm |
27.7 × 18.4 mm |
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G3-11000 |
KAI11002 |
yes |
none |
4032 × 2688 |
9 × 9 μm |
36.3 × 24.2 mm |
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G3-11000C |
KAI11002 |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
4032 × 2688 |
9 × 9 μm |
36.3 × 24.2 mm |
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Universal cooled G2 CCD
cameras
G2 cameras were designed
for demanding scientific applications and for high-end
astrophotography. Very high quantum efficiency (more than 85%
in the case of G2-3200 camera) allows capturing of very faint
objects. High quality electronics provides uniform images
without artefacts and the read noise is limited by the CCD
detectors themselves. Regulated cooling of CCD up to 50ºC
below ambient temperature significantly reduces detector dark
current. Cameras have integrated filter wheel with 5 positions
for 1.25" filters in threaded cells or with 6 positions for
glass-only filters and mechanical shutter.
G2 cameras with Kodak
KAF CCD chips are suitable for scientific applications,
requiring both high quantum efficiency and linear response to
light.
G2 cameras with Kodak
KAI CCD chips are suitable for astrophotography—anti-blooming
of KAI CCDs eliminates charge blooming when bright stars
appear in the field of view and electronic shutter allows
capturing of bright objects like the Moon and planets.
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|
Model |
CCD |
ABG |
Color
mask |
Resolution |
Pixel size |
Chip area |
|
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G2-0402 |
KAF0402ME |
no |
none |
768 × 512 |
9 × 9 μm |
6.9 × 4.6 mm |
| G2-1600 |
KAF1603ME |
no |
none |
1536 × 1024 |
9 × 9 μm |
13.8 × 9.2 mm |
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G2-3200 |
KAF3200ME |
no |
none |
2184 × 1472 |
6.8 × 6.8 μm |
14.9 × 10.0 mm |
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G2-8300 |
KAF8300 |
yes |
none |
3358 × 2536 |
5.4 × 5.4 μm |
18.1 × 13.7 mm |
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G2-8300C |
KAF8300 |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
3358 × 2536 |
5.4 × 5.4 μm |
18.1 × 13.7 mm |
|
G2-2000 |
KAI2020 |
yes |
none |
1604 × 1204 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
11.8 × 8.9 mm |
|
G2-2000C |
KAI2020 |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
1604 × 1204 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
11.8 × 8.9 mm |
|
G2-4000 |
KAI4022 |
yes |
none |
2056 × 2062 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
15.2 × 15.2 mm |
|
G2-4000C |
KAI4022 |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
2056 × 2062 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
15.2 × 15.2 mm |
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Guiding and imaging G1
CCD cameras
G1 CCD cameras
are ideally suited for imaging of Moon, planets and bright
deep-sky objects. High sensitivity, low noise, fast image
download, electronic shutter and integrated “autoguider” port
also allow G1 cameras to guide astronomical telescope mounts.
Thank to their capability to integrate light can G1 cameras
guide the mount also using dim stars, invisible for common TV
and web cameras. Robust construction, small dimensions, easy
manipulation and powerful software make G1 cameras ideally
suited for beginning astrophotographers.
G1 cameras use Sony ICX
CCD detectors with progressive read. All models are available
in both monochrome and color versions.
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|
Model |
CCD |
ABG |
Color
mask |
Resolution |
Pixel size |
Chip area |
|
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G0-0300 |
ICX424AL |
yes |
none |
656 × 494 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
4.9 × 3.7 mm |
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G1-0300 |
ICX424AL |
yes |
none |
656 × 494 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
4.9 × 3.7 mm |
|
G1-0300C |
ICX424AQ |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
656 × 494 |
7.4 × 7.4 μm |
4.9 × 3.7 mm |
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G1-0800 |
ICX204AL |
yes |
none |
1032 × 778 |
4.65 × 4.65 μm |
4.8 × 3.6 mm |
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G1-1200 |
ICX445AL |
|
none |
1296 x 966 |
3.75 x 3.75 μm |
4.9 x 3.6 mm |
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G1-1200C |
ICX445AQ |
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1296 x 966 |
3.75 x 3.75μm |
4.9 x 3.6 mm |
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G1-0800C |
ICX204AK |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
1032 × 778 |
4.65 × 4.65 μm |
4.8 × 3.6 mm |
|
G1-1400 |
ICX285AL |
yes |
none |
1392 × 1040 |
6.45 × 6.45 μm |
9.0 × 6.7 mm |
|
G1-1400C |
ICX285AQ |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
1392 × 1040 |
6.45 × 6.45 μm |
9.0 × 6.7 mm |
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G1-2000 |
ICX274AL |
yes |
none |
1628 × 1236 |
4.4 × 4.4 μm |
7.2 × 5.4 mm |
|
G1-2000C |
ICX274AQ |
yes |
RGBG (Bayer) |
1628 × 1236 |
4.4 × 4.4 μm |
7.2 × 5.4 mm |
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Camera handling and
image processing software SIPS
SIPS
(Scientific Image Processing System) is a powerful software
package for camera control and image processing.
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Complete control of
both imaging and guiding cameras, filter wheel handling and
sequential exposures.
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Image native format is
FITS, export to PNG, JPG, TIFF, GIF formats, recording of
AVI sequences.
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Advanced automatic
guiding with sub-pixel precision.
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Simple as well as
complex image calibration, handling of whole sets of images
at once.
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Automatic registration
and stacking of images.
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Image basic operations
(adding, median, ...), advanced multi-pass debayer
processing of images taken by colour CCD detectors.
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Astrometric image
reduction.
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Telescope mount
control.
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Data read from GPS
receivers, synchronization of location and observing time.
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… and many more
functions.
SIPS software package is
available for download for free from this www site. Also
available are Gx camera drivers for MaxIm DL and AstroArt
software packages.
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