This article reviews the new QHY 16200A large format QHYCCD camera.
Previously, I commented on the most important aspects of its specifications: It uses the new KAF-16200 image sensor ccd chip of physical size 26x21.6mm and 35mm diagonal, with 4500 x 3600 useful pixels, giving a capacity of 16 megapixels of image with a size pixel pitch of 6.0 nm (H) x 6.0 nm (V). It allows to lower 40 ºC with respect to room temperature. It has a 5: 4 aspect ratio and 41Ke saturation and very low noise.
UNBOXING
The package arrived from BEIGING in 3 days, the packaging well presented, tidy and protected, as a drawback there is no waterproof protective suitcase, only cardboard and polystyrene protection with a white rigid box with a drawing of a planisphere.
Content :
- QHY 160200A camera, vivid blue
- OAG, to install it in the camera and make guidance.
- 2 "nosepiece to install in camera.
- Adapters for the OAG.
- Power cord
- 220v power supply
- 12v power cable with cigarette lighter connector.
- Ground wire.
- Screws bag.
The firstSession is of robustness, well finished, of relatively low weight and volume that facilitSerbalance and handling with the telescope.
Camera packaging box and accessories.
OAG
Camera packaging box and accessories.
Rear of the camera, fan and side connections: industrial USB, repeater USB to connect other equipment, 12v input, which will avoid accidental disconnection like the Industrial USB and 12v output to connect it to other equipment directly to the camera.
Very original rear connections: to Earth, to avoid electrical problems, trigger connections, in case you want to shoot the camera without the need for a computer, RS232 ports to directly connect the focuser and / or mount.
INITIAL TESTS
The OAG is installed on the camera body using 6 screws. It has a high quality of materials and the prism can be moved vertically and locked by means of a clamping screw.
Camera with the OAG installed and connected to 12v power and computer to do the tests.
Surprisingly, the low noise level of the fan and the movement of the wheel is hardly noticeable.
600 seconds Dark at -10ºC
Bias at -10ºC
Flat, very homogeneous field, without any column defect.
very uniform image with a thermal noise of the order of 0.06 e. It should be noted the dark area of the flat that are pixels beyond the usable area (overscan) that can be eliminated in the reading in the camera settings.
Download times are also surprising, with the fast download option it is around 9 seconds, although it is advisable to set it to slow download, about 19 seconds, to reduce reading noise. We must bear in mind that it downloads 16 Mpixels.
FIRST LIGHT
1 shoot 5 minutes luminance, just stretched, no guidance.
High resolution photography: LINK
CONCLUSIONS
Large camera, formidable field 4520x3616 pixels, 16Mpixels that offers formidable star fields, low noise and high sensitivity. The quality / price ratio is very good and it is a great competition and rival of other cameras from more established manufacturers. Highly recommended
Author: Rafael Rodríguez Morales
