Altair GPCAM3 224C Color CMOS Camera with USB3

The Altair GPCAM3 224C can be used for solar, planetary and lunar “lucky” imaging, long exposure deepsky imaging, and of course video astronomy with the live stacking features in AltairCapture and Sharpcap. Time-lapse all-sky imaging is fully supported in the free AltairCapture software, and the camera can be used with an optional CS-Mount lens to hunt for meteors or aurora.

 

 

To get an idea of what this camera is capable of, click here to view a lunar image by UK customer Neil Phillips. (Opens new window, compressed .JPEG file)

 

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 sensor is more than sensitive enough for autoguiding.

 

Support & warranty: Altair delivers proper on-shore English-speaking UK/EU support with a 2 year manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Now just try that with a Chinese camera! New users should definitely visit the Altair Astro Google User Group where you can get answers to technical questions, as well as sharing tips and techniques, to get the best out of your camera. The AltairCapture software interface supports most European languages including English, German, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish.

 

File formats: 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 .TIFF .BMP, and .FITS (for deepsky imaging) to mention just a few. The IMX224 Sensor supports 8bit or 12bit ADC 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 sensor sensor is extremely sensitive and a good candidate for video astronomy, especially with small refractors (the final .FITS file is stretched to 16bit for post processing compatiblility). Find out more about bit depth here. Find out more about video & file formats here.

 

What’s different about the GPCAM3 platform compared to the GPCAM1 and GPCAM2? GPCAM3 has additional electronics for USB3.0 support, and to make space for the FULL SIZE USB3.0 connector. (We feel USB micro connectors are not a good idea for imaging because they don't maintain a reliable connection and wear easily, so we used full-size dual port connectors on this camera).

 

Better control with Trigger Mode: “Trigger Mode” is fully supported to make long exposures of over 5 seconds easier to control. With most CMOS cameras, in normal video mode, the camera controls are "locked up" during a long exposure, so you have to wait for the exposure to complete before the camera will accept any commands. So you have to wait to abort a frame if a cloud covers the view, or make routine changes, say gain (ISO), exposure duration, re-aligning or refocusing on the object. However in "Trigger Mode", you can now 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. For long exposures "Trigger Mode" is essential. Of course you can use normal video mode at up to 5 second exposures for video astronomy and solar system imaging. The GPCAM3 also has improved circuitry to improve data transfer stability at high frame rates (reducing dropped frames) and to increase compatibility with a wider range of PCs. This gives a more consistent data transfer rate over USB buses on laptops or desktop PCs. 

 

Camera body.

1.5m High-speed USB3.0 cable.

1.5m ST4 guide cable.

1.25 inch x nosepiece with female 1.25" filter thread on the front.

(Optional 2" OD Nosepiece with dual 2 and 1.25" filter threads is available, code GPCAM-2IN)

CS-Mount insert (12.5mm back-focus) is pre-installed on camera. (Optional 5mm extension adapter is available for C-Mount lenses requiring 17.5mm back-focus.)

UV-IR Blocking Filter with Anti-Reflection coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning).

Plastic dust cap 1.25".

Silicon dust cap for sensor.

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 cameras.altairastro.com (opens new window)

Approx. Max frame rates (assuming computer Bus and Hard Drive operating at full bandwidth)*:

8 bit mode:

12 bit mode - approx 50% 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 because bus and motherboard architecture vary. These are realistic frame rates.