Altair Hypercam 183M PRO Mono Astro Camera Fan-cooled Sony Sensor D=15.9 mm

Altair Hypercam 183M PRO Fan Cooled Monochrome Astro Camera

The Hypercam 183M monochrome camera is the thinkers´ alternative to a DSLR camera when it comes to astro-imaging.

It has a 20mp Sony IMX183 sensor, featuring amp glow reduction and high sensitivity for extremely smooth, detailed images.

The IMX183 is one of the most sensitive Back Side Illuminated BSI sensors available, with incredibly low read noise.

Version 2 has the following additional features:

Temperature sensor, with data available in realtime

ROI (Region of Interest) for cropped higher speed solar, lunar and planetary imaging

4K Mode (cropped)

SPECIAL OFFER! FREE 1 YEAR SharpCap PRO License! Includes ultra-accurate polar alignment assist, deepsky CMOS exposure time optimisation assist, live stacking for EAA/Video astronomy, live darkframe and flat frame subtration. Just download the latest SharpCap, connect your camera, register when the screen pops up and sign up for your free license.

Easier than a DSLR and no "astro modding" required: Hypercam is much easier to use and focus than a DSLR, thanks to the live preview mode in AltairCapture and SharpCap software. You can see a tiny star clearly in real-time, because there is no video compression. Unlike a DSLR, there´s no need to modify your camera to capture detail in red hydrogen wavelengths, because it has no red blocking filter in the way. There are no clumsy power connectors which drop out easily, no mirror to lock up, and a "true" RAW mode output. You get exactly what this Sony sensor "sees".

Low read noise. The Sony IMX183 CMOS sensor has very low read noise, wide dynamic range, and high sensitivity. The IMX183 ExmorR rated Back Illuminated Sensor has high-sensitivity, low dark current, no smear, and excellent anti-blooming charateristics. BSI technology moves the sensor circuitry behind the pixel, so unlike conventional sensors the light path is not blocked, resulting in higher quantum efficiency than a CCD sensor.

4 GB DDR3 Buffer RAM - USB3.0 speed and USB2.0 reliability:

USB3.0 and on-board memory buffering give much faster transfer speeds than USB2.0 cameras, however, if like most imagers, you prefer to use longer and more flexible USB2.0 cables for better tracking and reliability with a USB2.0 hub, no problem! The Hypercam is completely compatible with USB2.0 protocol. Just install the software, and off you go!

Important: Windows PC Hardware Requirements for best performance

Minimum CPU: Equal to i5 or higher

Minimum Memory: 8GB or More

USB port: USB2.0 High-speed Port or USB3.0 High-speed Port (best performance)

Please note: Some laptops and touchscreen notebooks may not have adequate USB throughput.

Quality software and drivers included:

AltairCapture: Unlike cheaper cameras, Altair Astro has spent considerable time improving the extensively featured and intuitive AltairCapture software, which can be downloaded from Altair Astro Customer Support. 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 16bit, 12bit or 8bit mode. Furthermore, the popular PHD Guiding and SharpCap are also natively supported. ASCOM drivers are also available for download at Altair Astro Customer Support where you can also get regular driver updates. The installation process is very simple, and unlike with cheaper cameras, there is no need to waste time tweaking .DLL files to make your camera perform as expected.

Firecapture runs only patched!

Firecapture does not yet support Altair´s Hypercams in general, but there is a patched version that offers most features. The only thing you have to do without is white balance. The download link is here. After the start the error message "System seems to be read-only. No setup will be stored" might be shown, which can be confirmed by clicking on "ok".

SharpCap PRO: Altair Astro have worked closely with SharpCap developer Robin Glover since 2015, to fully integrate Altair cameras with SharpCap at a basic level. Now, Sharpcap PRO enables even more features with this camera, such as software driven polar alignment (more accurate than any other method), live flat frame subtraction and live darkframe subtraction. The fast, accurate polar alignment feature in SharpCap PRO is a life-saver for imaging, minimising setup time.

Fan cooling:

The Hypercam is cooled with an internal low vibration fan. The fan can be switched on or off and the speed controlled in AltairCapture and SharpCap. Cool air is drawn in through the vents at the side of the casing, over a large internal heat-sink. The heat-sink is connected directly with the sensor board just like a computer CPU. The free flow of air through the casing cools not only the sensor, but all the internal electronics boards. Cooling is especially desirable for long exposure imaging to reduce thermal noise. Some camera casings get uncomfortably hot during a solar imaging session, and the sensor can reach around 60 or even 70 degrees. This can cause the electronics to become glitchy and unreliable. The Hypercam is designed for consistent, reliable solar imaging with a solar filter and diagonal or Altair Solar Wedge. With the fan running, the Hypercam casing will always remain cool.

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 IMX183 is more than sensitive enough for autoguiding.

Practical tip from Teleskop-Service: Storage of cameras and accessories

Especially in our latitudes, the nights are often very humid. When it cools down, however, moisture from the inside also condenses on the entrance window or sensor. Quickly a photo session is over, because the image becomes cloudy.

Good storage is an important preventive measure against dew and also prolongs the life of the camera.

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 from the inside of the camera. At the same time, it prevents the humid room air from entering. Your camera or accessories will always be ready for you in optimal condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.