Astrolumina ALccd8L Color CCD Camera - 28.5 mm sensor - 7.8 µm

Astrolumina ALccd8L Color CCD Camera - 28.5 mm sensor - 7.8 µm

ALccd cameras are designed for the requirements of ambitious and advanced amateur astro photographers.

It is recommended for those who want to step up from a standard DSLR camera to a "real" astro CCD camera without the need of changing the whole accessory system. Because of the similar sensor sized, field corrector systems and other accessories can be kept.

The main difference between the ALccd8L and DSLR cameras is: The Astrolumina camera does not share their disadvantages. DSLR cameras have an IR (and partially red) cut filter in order to deliver sharp and colour-balanced images.

For astrophotography, blocking longer wavelengths is normally not wanted, as H-alpha emitting objects like many gas nebulae cannot be captured well.

The ALccd8L is equipped with a different filter and shows sensitivity over the entire range from approx. 350 to 700 nm, so H-alpha emitting objects like many gas nebulae can be captured with much less integration time.

Nearly all standard DSLR camera have a data depth of 12 bit (4096 levels of grey). For astro imaging, this is not optimal. ALccd cameras work with 16 bit - the advantage is obvious. You gather more contrasty pictures and a fainter limiting magnitude.

Cooling, shutter and suppression of icing:

The design of the ALccd prevents sensor icing by a dew trap.

The progressive scan sensor reading system makes a mechanical shutter unnecessary.

Manual

The manufacturer provides a manual, it can be downloaded from here.