The Apollo-428M MAX camera from Player One Astronomy
Visit Apollo-428M MAXdeveloped by Player One Astronomyis a high-performance, cooled monochrome camera designed for solar, lunar and planetary imaging. Equipped with the Sony IMX428 CMOS sensor, it combines advanced technologies such as global shutter and active cooling, offering exceptional precision and image quality.
Main technical data
- Sony IMX428 CMOS sensor This 1.1" (14.2 mm x 9.4 mm) monochrome sensor offers 7.1 megapixel resolution (3216 x 2208 pixels) with a 17.5 mm diagonal. The 4.5 µm pixel size guarantees high sensitivity and precise reproduction of details.
- Full Well depth With a maximum capacity of 25.3 ke, the camera captures high-dynamic images without saturation.
- 3rd generation Pregius technology Incorporates a global shutter to eliminate distortion caused by rapid movement, guaranteeing sharp, precise images.
- High speed Up to 51 FPS in RAW8 mode at full resolution and up to 27 FPS in RAW16, ideal for capturing the dynamic phenomena of the Sun or lunar details.
Imaging performance
- Flexible BIN modes :
- In hardware BIN2 modemode, pixel size rises to 9 µm, quadrupling the well capacity to 100 ke while improving dynamic range. This mode delivers up to 135 FPS in RAW8.
- In BIN2 (MONO16) software mode14-bit depth for maximum dynamic range.
- Non-Amp-Glow Although the Apollo-428M MAX is not totally amp-glow-free, it is very soft and easy to calibrate, making it particularly suitable for solar imaging.
Technological advances
- Ultra-low reading noise :
- In HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode, automatically activated from a gain ≥70, noise drops to just 2.4 e-, and down to 1.4 e- at high gain (450).
- Advanced Peltier Cooling (TEC) The two-stage system allows a delta T of 35-40°C below ambient temperature, effectively reducing thermal noise for long exposures.
- Integrated DDR3 cache (512 MB) USB 2.0: Stabilizes data transmission and reduces image loss, even with a USB 2.0 port.
- DPS (Dead Pixel Suppression) technology Analyzes defective pixels and automatically corrects them to ensure clean images.
Ergonomic design
The innovative design of the Apollo-428M MAX includes :
- A lightweight carbon-fiber case (420 g)optimized to reduce weight while maintaining excellent thermal dissipation.
- Front (3-point) and rear (4-point) anti-tilt platesThis allows the sensor's parallelism to be precisely adjusted to guarantee perfect field flatness.
- An elegant black and gold finish which reflects Player One Astronomy's attention to detail.
Applications
The Apollo-428M MAX is ideal for :
- High-resolution solar imaging thanks to its large pixel size and wide field of view.
- Lunar and planetary observation in exceptional detail.
- Applications requiring a long focal ratio or a global shutter to avoid distortion caused by rapid movement.
Additional highlights
- Compatible with software such as SharpCap Pro for precise control of parameters (gain, exposure).
- Modern USB-C ports for fast, reliable connectivity.
- High peak quantum efficiency thanks to Pregius technology.
With its advanced technical features and optimized design, the Apollo-428M MAX is an essential tool for demanding astrophotographers who want to capture the finest details of the Sun or Moon with precision and reliability.
