Altair Hypercam 294C PRO Colour Camera Fan-cooled

Due to it's low read noise and high sensitivity, the Hypercam 294C is suitable for both deep-sky and solar system imaging, as well as depth of field frame stacking and low light averaging in microscopy applications.

• Amp glow reduction to negligible levels.
• TRUE scientific RAW mode in 8bit or 14bit depth for unaltered ADC signal.
• Temperature sensor, with real-time data for easier processing and calibration.
• ROI (Region of Interest) for cropped high speed solar, lunar and planetary imaging or video.
• Binning is fully supported to maximise signal and maintain frame rates in extreme low light situations.
• 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. Click here for more SC PRO features. Just download the latest SharpCap, connect your camera, register when the screen pops up and sign up for your free license.  Download SharpCap 3.0+ now to take advantage of this special offer.

Hypercam is easier to use than a DSLR with no modifications needed and no "red blocking filter". Hypercam is much easier to use and focus than a DSLR, thanks to the live preview mode which shows uncompressed video at full resolution on a PC screen. You can see a tiny star-point or microscopic feature clearly, because there is no video compression like with a DSLR video stream. There are no clumsy power connectors which drop out easily, no firmware to fight with your capture software, no mirror to lock up, and a "true" uncompressed RAW mode output. You get the exact ADC signal without alterations.

Low read noise BSI sensor. The Sony IMX294 CMOS sensor is ExmorR rated, and Back Illuminated (BSI). 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 traditional CCD sensor. Read noise is low, and there is no smear or blooming on bright stars.

Try deep-sky "lucky" imaging. The low read noise lets you stack shorter exposures to take advantage of the low read noise, reducing atmospheric aberration, mount tracking errors and wind vibration. The more frames you stack, the smoother the image becomes, and the higher the cumulative dynamic range. In this way, long cumulative exposure times of many hours can be achieved with modest equipment. The result is a smoother, sharper image with more detail.

Video Astronomy/EAA Friendly. The Hypercam 294C camera is not only desirable for Deepsky Imaging - it's also great for Video Astronomy or "EAA" Electronically Assisted Astronomy. The resolution, high sensitivity, and amp glow reduction technology are well suited to this task. What's more, you can use the Live Stacking features in the AltairCapture software or SharpCap PRO. All-sky time-lapse imaging or video is easy with a DSLR lens and optional Hypercam Lens Adapters (product code: CLA-EOS or CLA-NIKON). For critical applications like Fluorescence microscopy, simply use the binning feature to increase signal to noise ratio, and live stacking to reveal even more detail, reducing photobleaching time.

Pure RAW video and stills mode and "digital" RGB output modes are available for better post processing: The Hypercam sensor ADC can deliver up to 14bit RAW files, which are stretched to 16 bit. In RAW mode analog (on-sensor) gain is used for ultra low read-noise images. True RAW mode allows greater flexibility and consistency in processing large stacks of frames for image stacking, taking advantage of the camera's low read noise. Either .FITS, .TIFF or .PNG image files as well as .SER and .AVI video files are captured in their purest form for later processing in your software of choice. Of course for Video Astronomy / EAA use, you can select RGB Mode and capture .AVI files, or just view the screen with full access to white balance, gamma, contrast and histogram controls, just like any other camera.

USB3.0 speed and USB2.0 reliability: USB3.0 gives 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 or USB3.0. Just plug and go!

• Altair Astro Premium 2" CLS-CCD Filter w AR Coating (Code: F200CLSCCD) for imaging emission nebulae in light polluted urban environments.
• Skytech LPRO-MAX 2" CCD Filter with AR Coating (Code: F200-LPROMAXCCD) for imaging all objects in moderate light pollution with better colour balance.
• Altair Hypercam DSLR Lens Adapter for Canon EOS or Nikon lenses. (Codes: CLA-xxx and CLA-xxx depending on options).