ZWO MONO Astro Camera ASI 2600MM-PRO cooled, Sensor D= 28.3 mm

ZWO ASI2600MM Pro - powerful mono astro camera of the latest generation

ZWO has taken another step forward with this new camera. The mono sensor in APS-C format convinces with its extremely high sensitivity and 16-bit data depth. Even with longer exposure times, the stars will not burn out. You get a much better dynamic.

One of the outstanding features of the ASI 2600MM Pro is its sensational light sensitivity. The QE of 91 % by the BACK ILLUMINATION technology and the non-existent amplifier glow make the camera very suitable for all astronomical applications, but especially for deep sky astrophotography.

Further advantages and product features of the ASI 2600MM Pro monochrome camera:

USB 3.0 for fast download - can also be used with USB 2.0

DDR3 memory buffer for stable data transfer with USB2.0 - minimizes frame dropping

No amplifier glow!

Powerful Peltier cooling up to 35 °C under ambient conditions

One of Sony´s most light-sensitive CMOS sensors

High resolution by 3.76 µm pixels - ideal for fast and sharp telescopes like Apos, Hyperstar, Celestron Faststar, Newtonian telescopes etc.

Supplied with AR filter - full infrared transmission

Distance T2 connection thread (female thread) to camera sensor: 17.5 mm

High sensitivity - QE 91 % - ideal astronomy camera for low-light objects

16-bit ADC: you can achieve a depth like CCD cameras, but with a much higher sensitivity.

Application areas of the camera:

Deep-sky images (nebulae and galaxies): Due to the high sensitivity, nebulae and galaxies are imaged after only a few seconds. The camera can be cooled up to 35 °C below ambient temperature. This further reduces the already low noise. By raising the GAIN (comparable to the ISO setting for digital SLR cameras), you can reduce exposure times to less than 30 seconds. Effects caused by air turbulence or inaccuracies in the tracking are thus eliminated.

Moon and planetary images: Extremely short exposure times due to high sensitivity freeze the air turbulence. Due to the high resolution of the sensor, many details can be imaged even with a shorter telescope focal length. Video astronomy is also possible.

Back illumination technology

Sony´s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction - the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.

The backside exposure improves the light absorption and increases the amount of light at the same time. This allows significantly shorter exposure times and leads to an improved quantum efficiency of 91 %.

Sony has newly developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieves a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.

Zero amp glow

Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as the tell tale signs of "amp glow". As the ASI2600MM Pro uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won´t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

Anti-dew heater integrated

The ASI2600MM Pro comes with the polyimide heater that can avoid any dew problems.
The anti-dew heater, which fits completely onto the protective window, heats it up slightly to prevent condensation problems.
The power of the anti-dew heater is approx. 5 W. It can be turned off in the software to save power.

Important: external power supply required!

This camera requires 1 amp even in uncooled operation, which is a problem for USB sockets on computers, because they are only rated for 900 mA (0.9 A).

Stable operation of the camera is therefore only possible with an external 12 V power supply.

Optimal support before and after the purchase through Teleskop-Service:

We work with the cameras ourselves and can offer you optimal advice. Which camera fits to your telescope, how do you achieve the optimal adaptation? Teleskop-Service is one of the largest ZWO dealers. Through our contacts we also offer the best possible service after the purchase.

Practical tip 1 from TS: Integration of 2" filters, 360° rotation and quick coupling

The camera is often used on correctors that do not have a filter thread. In addition, the filters should always be used as close as possible to the camera. Here we offer you a solution that can do much more.

2" filter holder directly in front of the camera

360° rotation for the right choice of the image section

Quick release - you can remove the camera from the remote ear at any time, without screws and thus entangling the cables

The adaptation is very simple, the 21 mm T2 extension is replaced by:

1x TSROTT2-T2 and 2x T2AbstimmA1

One tuning ring comes to the camera side, one tuning ring comes to the telescope side of the rotator. Then screw on the M42-M48 adapter with 16.5 mm length and you are in the right distance with the camera.

Practical tip 2 from TS: Storage of cameras and accessories

Especially in our latitudes, the nights are often very humid. This humidity condenses on your camera, eyepiece or filter when they come into the warm interior of the apartment. Especially cooled cameras are affected by this. Quickly a photo session is over because the sensor ices up.

Good storage is an important prevention against dew and also extends the life span.

After use, put the camera immediately into the TS Protect Case and add some silica gel. During storage, the silica gel will suck the moisture out of the camera. At the same time, the penetration of humid room air is prevented. Dry storage even allows the small dry tablets in cooled cameras to partially regenerate. Your camera or accessories are always ready for you in optimal condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.

The cameras are not airtight, so if the camera remains on the telescope, it is exposed to moisture. The small amount of desiccant in the camera can protect the sensor and the inside of the protective glass from moisture for the duration of the exposure, but not for days on end. Moisture problems can be the result. A simple trick is to stretch a plastic bag around the focuser to which the camera is attached so that no air can get in. Silica gel is placed in a small cloth bag inside the plastic bag. This will also create a "dry climate zone" for the camera on the telescope. This allows you to leave the camera on the telescope for a few days for an imaging session lasting several days.

In the medium and long term, however, this is no substitute for proper storage in an airtight case with silica gel.

Downloads, drivers:

ZWO provides software and drivers online for free download.

Software and drivers for all ZWO cameras

Frequently asked questions about ZWO cameras:

The FAQ area is constantly updated by ZWO, here you will find answers to many questions.

FAQ about ZWO cameras

ZWO Users Forum

Manuals for ZWO products:

The manuals page is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find user guides for ZWO products.

Link to the manuals

How to clean my ZWO camera:

The manufacturer provides a manual that covers how to clean an ASI camera and regenerate the desiccant tablets: Please click here.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin

Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin

Photographic results by Andreas Tofahrn:

Heart Nebula (IC 1805)

Made by: Andreas Tofahrn

Telescope: TSQ-100ED 100 mm quadruplet apochromat

Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme

Motor focus: ZWO EAF

Imaging camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Exposure times: 45x 180 s (2.25 h) RGB at full moon, 21x 300 s (1.75 h) dual narrowband (Optolong L-eXtreme) at half moon

Sky quality: Bortle Class 5

Guiding camera: ASI120MM Mini

Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro

Polar scope: ALCCD QHY PoleMaster

Controller: ZWO ASIair Plus


Soul Nebula (IC 1848)

Made by: Andreas Tofahrn

Telescope: TSQ-100ED 100 mm quadruplet apochromat

Filters: Antlia LRGB filter set 36 mm, ZWO 7 nm narrowband filter set 36 mm

Motor focus: ZWO EAF

Imaging camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Exposure times: 17x 120 s für RGB each (1.7 h), 110x 60 s (1.8 h) for L, 60x 300 s for [O III] (5 h), 67x 300 s for [S II] (5.6 h), 55x 300 s for H-alpha (4.6 h), sum 18.7 h

Sky quality: Bortle Class 4

Guiding camera: ASI120MM Mini

Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro

Controller: ZWO ASIair Plus


Elephant´s Trunk Nebula (IC 1396)

Made by: Andreas Tofahrn

Telescope: TSQ-100ED 100 mm quadruplet apochromat

Filters:: Antlia LRGB filter set 36 mm, ZWO 7 nm narrowband filter set 36 mm

Motor focus: ZWO EAF

Imaging camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Exposure times: Je 44x 120 s for RGB (4.5 h), 74x 60 s (1.2 h) for L, 7x 600 s for [O III] (1.2 h), 7x 600 s for H-alpha (1.2 h), sum 8 h

Sky quality: Bortle Class 4

Guiding camera: ASI120MM Mini

Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro

Controller: ZWO ASIair Plus

We thank Andreas Tofahrn for these beautiful images!

In the meantime, Andreas Tofahrn has completed a special project, called a "normalized Messier catalogue". This can be found, along with an explanation of what that is exactly, on his corresponding webpage.

Question:
Camera control via Sharpcap possible?

Answer from Teleskop-Service:
It is possible to control the camera with Sharpcap, for this purpose the latest version of Sharpcap must be requested. (as of February 6, 2020)


Question:
Why does ZW Optical recommend a maximum gain of 100?

Answer from Teleskop-Service:
At a value of 100 the HCG High Gain mode is activated, which drastically reduces the readout noise without reducing the dynamic range too much. A higher gain does not result in a significant reduction of the readout noise anymore, but successively reduces the dynamic range.


Question:
Will my Pro camera work without extra power supply if I don´t turn on the cooling?

Answer from Teleskop-Service:
No, the current Pro cameras always require extra power supply, even without cooling.

Safety informations: PDF Download