Altair GPCAM2 224C Colour Guide Imaging EAA Camera

The Altair GPCAM2 IMX224 Colour camera has the sought after Sony Exmor IMX224 CMOS sensor, with high sensitivity, and extremely low read noise.
 
It can be used for solar, planetary, lunar lucky imaging, deepsky imaging and of course video astronomy or EAA. Time-lapse all-sky imaging (with optional meteor lens) is fully supported. You would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile small-format colour astronomy imaging camera with this price and features.
 
Free software:
Free AltairCapture deepsky, planetary imaging and EAA software for Windows 8, & 10 PC only. 
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. One license per user. For Windows PCs only.

The Camera is compatible with PHD2.6 or above guiding software (native support), and with other applications through the ASCOM interface. Download ASCOM drivers here.

NOTE: Software and drivers are not included in the box and must be downloaded from www.altairastro.help and installed before plugging in and operating the camera. 

Faster than the GPCAMv1. Onboard buffering gives USB data transfer speeds significantly higher than the GPCAM1 series, pushing the USB2.0 format to the limit, yet within a stable envelope. This almost completely eliminates dropped frames, corrupted video, and enables faster more consistent frame rates, even with less powerful notebook computers.
 
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, such as iOptron, Celestron and Skywatcher. (lead included)
 
And what's more, you get UK/EU based warranty support, plus the Altair Camera Google User Group for all your technical questions - a great place to share tips and techniques to get the best out of your camera.
 
Cool casing design: The casing has an external heatsink surface, which dissipates heat generated by the electronics, reducing thermal noise. 
 
Reliable USB connector: The USB2.0 connector is the high strength type - the highest quality component of it's type on the market. This is much more reliable than the micro-USB connectors found on smartphones (we all know how those loosen up over a short time!). (USB 2.0 lead included)
 
Multi-Format: The camera can be fully controlled in AltairCapture and SharpCap to output uncompressed .AVI and .SER video files for solar system imaging, as well as all common still image formats such as .JPEG .PNG .TIF .BMP, to mention just a few. The GPCAM supports 8bit or 12bit output. The 12 bit output mode can be used for deep sky imaging with less frames needing to be stacked and a wider pixel intensity range. The IMX224 sensor is extremely sensitive in the IR region (for all pixels not just red!) and can be used effectively with IR Pass filters for solar and lunar imaging in mono mode.
 
Whats different about the GPCAM2 platform compared to the GPCAM1 platform? Youll notice the GPCAM2 casing is larger than the GPCAM. This is to house larger electronics boards which support trigger mode and frame buffering as well as to increase the surface area for cooling. The GPCAM2 platform supports Trigger Mode to make long exposures of over 5 seconds easier to control.

With most cameras, in normal video mode, you have to wait for an exposure to complete before the camera will accept, say a command to abort the frame, for say clouds, aircraft, or an alignment issue, like kicking the tripod and so-on, or for routine changes in gain, exposure time, , re-aligning or refocusing on the object.

For long exposures, normal video mode is inconvenient, especially for video astronomy and deep-sky imaging, however in Trigger mode, you can stop the camera instantly (even if you are half way through a long 30 second exposure) change the settings, and re-start the camera looping again. The GPCAM2 also has an improved onboard frame buffer to improve data transfer stability at high frame rates (to reduce dropped frames) and to increase compatibility with a wider range of PCs.

The improved buffers give a more consistent data transfer rate over USB2.0 and USB3.0 buses on laptops and desktop PCs. 
 
Included in the box:
 
BASIC Package:

• Camera body.
• 2m High-speed USB2.0 A male to B male cable.
• 1.25 inch x 20mm nosepiece with female 1.25" filter thread on the front.
• CS-Mount adapter with built-in UV-IR Blocking Filter, AR coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning).
• Plastic dust cap 1.25".

 
FULL Package:

• Camera body.
• 2m High-speed USB2.0 A male to B male cable.
• 1.25 inch x 20mm nosepiece with female 1.25" filter thread on the front.
• CS-Mount adapter with built-in UV-IR Blocking Filter, AR coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning).
• Plastic dust cap 1.25".
• 2.1mm F1.6 150 degree FOV wide angle Meteor lens and dust caps.

Note: This camera does not come with software in the box. To operate the camera you will need to download the latest camera drivers at www.altairastro.help (opens new window)
 
Sensor & performance specifications:
ALTAIRGP224C: SONY Exmor IMX224 Color CMOS sensor
Sensor Size: 1/3" diagonal 6.09mm
Exposure duration shortest/longest:
Video mode: 0.105ms (0.000105 secs) / 5000ms (5 seconds)
Trigger mode: 0.105 ms (0.000105 secs) / 1000 secs (16.66 minutes)
Bit depth: 8bit & 12bit modes switchable
Pixel size microns: 3.75x3.75 um
Resolution in pixels: 1280x960
Recording System: Still Image & Video
Region Of Interest (ROI): Supported
Approx. Max frame rates (assuming computer Bus and Hard Drive operating at full bandwidth)*:
8 bit mode:
1280x960 - 25-32fps
640x480 - 70-80fps ROI
320x240 - 112-125fps ROI
12 bit mode - approx 60% of above.
* Based on average user reports. May be revised as we get more data. The shorter the exposure duration, the faster the frame rate. An expensive PC does not guarantee a fast frame rate. Good components help with frame rates.
Gain Sensitivity: 2350mv
Readout: Progressive Scan
Shutter: Electronic Rolling Shutter
Read noise: TBC, not provided by sensor manufacturer.
 
Software & OS support:
Drivers & AltairCapture software download (Windows only): www.altairastro.help (opens new window). 
Driver support: PHD2, AltairCapture, SharpCap, (Windows DirectShow)
AltairCapture OS support: Win Vista/ 7/ 8/ 10 (32 & 64 bit)
SharpCap is also fully supported and tested with native drivers.
USB Port & Cable: 2.0 USB, 2m cable
ST4 Port & Cable: Standard ST4 Opto-Isolated, 1.5m cable, iOptron, Celestron, Skywatcher SynScan GOTO.
 
Camera Format:
Cooling: Air-Cooled large surface area camera body.
Weight grams: 70 g (camera net weight)
Colour Camera: AR-coated UV/IR blocking filter 400 to 700nm wavelength transmission
 
Back-focus & Adapter compatibility:
Optical Window is removable to reveal female C-Mount thread
C-Mount lens adapter: Included, terminates in female thread connecting to camera body.
C-Mount lens compatibility: C-Mount male threaded lens with 17.526 mm back-focus (or flange-distance) requirement.
C-mount lens compatibility: C-Mount male threaded lens with 12.526 mm back-focus (or flange-distance) requirement.
Astro filter thread adapter: Included, 1.25" OD, Female thread
Pushfit Barrel OD: Standard Astro format 1.25 OD eyepiece-barrel
Sensor surface distance from flat end of C-Mount adapter: 17.58 mm
Sensor surface distance from flat end of 20mm 1.25 Astro adapter: 37.58 mm
 
Operating environment conditions:
Power consumption:
Standby 0.315w
Running 0.875w
Max operating temp: 50 °C
Lowest operating temp: -10 °C
Max operating humidity: 80 % RH
Power source in Volts: 5V DC (via USB cable)
Windows PC Hardware Requirements:
Minimum CPU: Equal to Intel Core2 2.8GHz or Higher
Minimum Memory: 2GB or More
USB port: USB2.0 High-speed Port
Monitor Display: 17" or Larger
 
Software delivery: Downloaded online at www.altairastro.help and saved to hard drive. There is no software in the box so you must have an internet connection to download software to install and use the camera.
 
Warranty: 2 Years manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Return to point of purchase.
 
Optional Accessories: 
Altair Astro Premium 1.25" CLS-CCD Filter with UV/IR Block & AR Coating (Code: F125CLSCCD) for imaging emission nebulae in light polluted urban environnments.
 
Jupiter animation Altair GPCAM2 IMX224 Colour Camera from Nick Smith on Vimeo.
 
 
Availability: If out of stock, click on the red "Notify when in stock" button above to receive an email when product is ready to ship.
 
Altair Astro and dealers reserve the right to change the product specification and/or price at any time without notice.