Sbig Aluma 8300, 8.3 megapixel high-performance CCD with 5.4 micron pixels, compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. Infomace v úpravě.
Product Description
Note: For software and user manual downloads, please click the Downloads tab above.
Our mid-size Aluma® Series cameras offer performance and features not available in any other scientific-grade imaging camera. This lightweight (2.2 lbs) and compact (4.5″ x 4.5″ x 4″ with handles) camera includes two-stage cooling, USB 2.0 and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n interfaces, ultra-reliable even-illumination shutter, and fast low-noise readout. Aluma can be operated from a tablet or smartphone, or from a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux PC.
The Aluma series supports a wide range of accessories, including the 8-position FW8S-Aluma filter wheel with micron-level filter positioning, FW8G-Aluma filter wheel with built-in autoguider, AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory, Remote Guide Head, and CLA lens adapters.
Aluma Features include:
Wide variety of imaging sensors
Light weight, compact design
Centered optical axis for optimum instrument balance
Ultra reliable even-illumination (photometric) mechanical shutter
Support for iOS, Android, Windows, Macintosh, and Linux
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and USB 2.0 communications interfaces
Full frame image buffering eliminates readout artifacts and provides 100% reliable wireless download
2-Stage TE cooling
Twin variable speed fans
High accuracy temperature regulation
Built-in RBI Pre-flash (full frame front-illuminated sensors only)
External TTL trigger inputs and output
Included 110V / 220V power supply and optional 12VDC operation
User-rechargeable desiccant plug
Built-in 1/4-20 tripod mount
Support for high precision 8-position filter wheels
Support for external guide head, self-guiding filter wheels, and adaptive optics
Bulletproof firmware update capability – virtually impossible to “brick”
Multi-Platform Operation
Aluma is designed to operate either via USB 2.0 or WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. Designed from the ground-up to support operation on any modern computing platform, Aluma is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. Fully-documented and supported drivers are available for all platforms, including ASCOM drivers. The Aluma camera interface specification is fully documented, supporting the development of fully custom interfaces.
Software Included
All Aluma models ship with MaxIm LT for Windows – a special version of MaxIm DL specific to our cameras. In addition our new Aluma software for iOS and Android is under development. Aluma also supports third-party applications through ASCOM and native drivers.
Compact and Lightweight Design
Aluma cameras measure just 4.25″ x 4.25″ x 4.0″ with handles (3.5″ without handles) and weigh just 2.2 lbs (1 kg).
Even-Illumination Shutter
All Aluma cameras include a mechanical shutter, which is used for both dark/bias calibration frames and for shuttering exposures on full frame sensors. Rather than using a complex iris shutter, which are prone to failure, the Aluma uses a twin vane shutter and direct drive motor for high repeatability, reliability, and extremely long life. The shutter is designed to be “even illumination” for the best accuracy in photometric measurements.
iris1The left image shows a flat field image taken with a camera using an iris type shutter. The right image is a flat field image taken under the same conditions using our even-illumination shutter.
Efficient 2-Stage TE cooling
The Aluma uses two-stage TE cooling, twin variable-speed fans and a heat sink design optimized using computer thermal flow simulation. This permits high performance using air cooling only.
High Performance KAF-8300 Image Sensor
The Aluma 8300 uses the popular 8 megapixel ON Semi (formerly Kodak) KAF-8300-AXC sensor. The sensor has 3448 x 2574 pixels at 5.4 microns square, for a 17.96 mm x 13.52 mm optical format.
This is a high sensitivity full frame CCD sensor with low dark current and low read noise. Combining this high performance sensor with Aluma’s high cooling performance and low readout noise results in exceptionally clean images.
This sensor includes microlens technology that concentrates light on the sensitive area of each pixel. The CCD’s sensitivity peaks in the center of the visible spectrum at 550 nm, and maintains high sensitivity throughout the visible spectrum.
KAF-8300 Quantum Efficiency
Included Accessories
Each Aluma camera package includes:
MaxIm LT software – please use this form to request your license
iOS / Android software coming soon (via app store)
Deluxe carrying case
Universal power supply (110V / 220V, 50-60 Hz)
2″ Nosepiece adapter
USB flash drive containing software, drivers, and documentation
15 foot (4.5 m) USB cable
Tracking interface cable
Optional Micron-Precision Filter Wheel
The optional FW8S-Aluma 8-position filter wheel includes a positive centering mechanism that precisely centers each filter in the exact same position every time. This single-pixel accuracy completely eliminates ghost images of dust spots and other artifacts after flat-fielding.
Positive detent mechanism provides single-pixel filter position accuracy
flatfield2Precision flat-fielding with utlra-accurate indexing
The left-hand image shows a dust spot on the filters. A flat-field calibration frame was taken, then the filter wheel was rotated several times before taking a second picture, which was flat-field calibrated, at right. No evidence of the dust spot is visible. This high precision results in the highest quality images and excellent photometric accuracy.
The Aluma wheel holds standard 36 mm filters, and inserts are available for 1-1/4″ filters, which are suitable for smaller format CCD sensors.
The Aluma filter wheel replaces the camera’s front plate, resulting in the minimum possible back-focus, ensuring that the camera / filter wheel combination will reach focus on the widest possible variety of optical systems. Optional “CLA” adapters facilitate using the FW8S-Aluma with standard Canon and Nikon camera lenses.
fw_close1_red1-287x0Integrated autoguider with adjustable pick-off mirror and focal reducer
For astronomical imaging, the wheel is available in the FW8G-Aluma configuration. This adds a built-in focal reducer and autoguider. The pick-off mirror and guide camera focus can both be adjusted and locked using simple thumbscrews. With the autoguider positioned in front of the filters, optimum guiding sensitivity is provided for all filter slots. Using a built-in autoguider system eliminates issues with flexure, mirror shift, and other mechanical problems that can degrade guiding accuracy.
The FW8G-Aluma is thicker and does not permit use of CLA lens adapters. Interchangeable plates are available to switch your wheel between FW8G and FW8S configuration.
Optional AO-8A Adaptive Optics
All Aluma models can operate with the AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory. The AO-8A uses a tip-tilt window to quickly and precisely adjust the image position in response to autoguider feedback. With Adaptive Optics there is no backlash, stiction, or lag, and the movements are extremely precise and accurate. This allows the AO-8A to not only remove the effects of periodic error, drift, and wind gusts, but also reduce the effects of atmospheric seeing.
For more information please see AO-8A.
Additional Information
A/D Converter 16 bits
Adaptive Optics Option Y
Antiblooming y
CCD Size 17.96 mm x 13.52 mm
Computer Interface USB2 / WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Cooling Delta ~ 45 °C
Dark Current e/p/s at 0 C 0.15 e-/p/s typical
Exposure 0.1 sec minimum
Filter Size 36mm / 1.25″
Filter Wheel Option y
Full Frame Download ~1 sec via USB, ~7 sec via WiFi
Full Well Capacity 25,000 e-
Imaging CCD KAF-8300
Imaging / Pixel Array 3326 px x 2504 px
OAG Option n
OS Compatibility Windows 32 and 64 bit, Macintosh, Linux, iOS, Android
Peak QE56%
Pixel Digitization Rate 10 MPix/sec
Pixel Size 5.4 μm
Power 12 VDC, 5A max
Read Noise10 e- typical
Remote Guide Heady
Self-Guiding Filter Wheel y
Shutter Mechanical, Even-illumination
Temperature Regulationy
Total Pixels8.3 million pixels
Weight2.2 lbs
