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QHYCCD QHY268M Pro I Monochrome CMOS Camera

QHYCCD QHY268M Pro I Monochrome CMOS Camera

by QHYCCD
SKU QHY-110089
$3,399.00 - $3,399.00
$3,399.00
$3,399.00 - $3,399.00
$3,399.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 26 Megapixel Sony IMX571 APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
  • Native 16-bit A/D Conversion
  • 1.1e- Minimum Read Noise
  • Dual Full Well Modes: 51ke- (Standard) and >80ke- (Extended)
  • 2GB DDR3 Image Buffer
  • -35°C Dual-Stage TEC Cooling
  • USB 3.0 and 2x10Gigabit Fiber Interfaces
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • QHYCCD QHY268M Pro I Monochrome CMOS Camera

    The QHYCCD QHY268M Pro I is a scientific CMOS camera that QHYCCD designs for scientific use, integrating a 26 Megapixel Sony IMX571 monochrome sensor with a native 16-bit A/D converter Its 3.76µm pixels reach a peak QE of 91%, read noise is as low as 1.1e-, and a 2GB DDR3 buffer supports full 16-bit frames at up to 6.5 FPS over USB 3.0.

    The monochrome QHY268M Pro I is the standard model; a colour version (QHY268C Pro) is available only as a customization from QHYCCD. Since 2023 QHYCCD has divided its Pro series into Pro I, with a 2x10G fiber interface and a shorter body, and Pro II, which adds CameraLink.

    Sony IMX571 Sensor: 26MP at Native 16-Bit Resolution

    At the core of the QHY268M Pro is the back-illuminated Sony IMX571, an APS-C format sensor with a 6252 x 4176 pixel array covering a 28.27mm diagonal. The back-illuminated structure gives a peak QE of 91%. Unlike cameras that use 12-bit or 14-bit conversion, the QHY268M Pro employs a true, native 16-bit A/D converter. This allows the camera to sample 65,536 distinct grayscale levels, giving smoother tonal gradations in processing.

    Readout Modes, Full Well and 1.1e- Read Noise

    The camera features multiple readout modes to match your target's brightness and your imaging goals. There are three basic modes. Photographic DSO Mode (#0) suits most DSO imaging, with gain 26 (unity gain) as the recommended default. High Gain Mode (#1) is the one to use when you have to capture at high gain, for example a very dark object; read noise reaches 1.1e-. The standard full well is 51ke-, and Extended Fullwell Mode (#2) raises it to over 80ke-, which helps keep bright stars from saturating.

    Each basic mode also has a 2CMS version (modes #3 to #5), which reduces read noise by secondary sampling while keeping the same full well and system gain. QHYCCD prefers the 2CMS modes for astrophotography, with the same recommended gain values. The readout modes are supported in ASCOM, SharpCap and N.I.N.A.

    -35°C Cooling, Zero Amp Glow, and Dew Control

    The dual-stage thermoelectric cooler achieves a stable delta of -35°C below ambient, with a dark current of 0.0005 e-/pixel/sec at -20°C. Amplifier glow is zero. The optic window has a built-in dew heater, the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation, and a humidity sensor reports conditions inside the chamber.

    2GB Buffer, USB 3.0, and 10Gb Fiber Interfaces

    A 2GB DDR3 memory buffer holds frames while the computer is busy. Over USB 3.0 the camera reaches 6.5 FPS at full resolution and 16 bits. With a 480-line region of interest in the 12-bit High Speed Mode, it reaches 110 FPS at 8-bit output. The 2x10Gigabit fiber socket works with the QHYCCD PCIE2.0x8 data grabber card and is intended for professional observatories. Each fiber carries about 800MB/s and two carry about 1.6GB/s, against about 350MB/s for USB 3.0, with a 300 meter reach with the default optic module and no effect from EMI.

    Scientific-Grade Ports: Programmable Triggering and GPS Timing

    The QHY268M Pro is equipped with a programmable trigger port, providing advanced synchronization capabilities for scientific applications. It has a 6-pin GPIO port that supports complex Trig-In and Trig-Out signals, and a connection to the QHY GPS-BOX that writes a high-precision GPS timestamp into the image head.

    Optical Integration: 14.5mm Back Focus

    With a back focal length of just 14.5mm, the QHY268M Pro leaves room in the optical path for accessories. The camera also has a 4-pin QHYCCD CFW port for a QHYCCD filter wheel.

  • What makes the QHY268M Pro's native 16-bit ADC important?

    A native 16-bit A/D converter allows the sensor to distinguish between 65,536 different levels of brightness. This gives smoother gradients than 12-bit (4,096 levels) or 14-bit (16,384 levels) conversion and more room in post-processing.

    When should I use the Extended Fullwell Mode on the QHY268M Pro?

    Use it when bright stars would saturate in the standard 51ke- full well. Extended Fullwell Mode raises the full well to over 80ke- per the specification table.

    What power supply is required for the QHY268M Pro?

    The QHY268M Pro requires a stable 12V DC power source. At 100% cooling, the camera consumes up to 40W. With the All-In-One driver and SDK after the 2021.10.23 stable version, the camera gives a warning when its input voltage is below 11V; long-term work at too low a voltage can shorten the camera's working life.

    Does the QHY268M Pro suffer from amplifier glow?

    No. The QHY268M Pro I has zero amplifier glow, so long dark frames carry no glow, which makes calibration simpler.

    Is the 2GB DDR3 buffer on the QHY268M Pro a significant advantage?

    Yes. The 2GB DDR3 buffer acts as a high-speed cache for images coming off the sensor before they are transferred to the computer. This prevents data loss (dropped frames) that can occur if your computer's CPU or USB bus is temporarily busy.

    What is the benefit of the 2x10Gigabit Fiber interface on the QHY268M Pro?

    The fiber interface is designed for professional observatories. Compared to USB 3.0, it offers:

    • Longer Distances: 300 meters with the default optic module, against 3 to 5 meters for USB 3.0 (10 to 15 meters with an extender cable).
    • Higher Speed: About 1.6GB/s with both fibers, against about 350MB/s for USB 3.0. The fiber connection needs the QHYCCD PCIE2.0x8 data grabber card.
    • EMI Immunity: Fiber is not affected by EMI, a major cause of camera hangs and image loss over USB.

    How do I manage dew on the QHY268M Pro's optical window?

    The QHY268M Pro has a built-in dew heater for the optical window that protects the sensor. It is an electric heating board for the chamber window that prevents dew from forming, and the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation.

  • Sensor Sony IMX571, BSI CMOS, Mono
    Pixel Size 3.76µm x 3.76µm
    Resolution 26 Megapixels (6252 x 4176)
    Sensor Format APS-C
    A/D Converter Native 16-bit
    Full Well Capacity 51ke- (Standard Mode) / >80ke- (Extended Mode)
    Read Noise 1.1e- to 3.5e-
    Dark Current 0.0005 e-/pixel/sec @ -20°C
    Image Buffer 2GB DDR3 Memory
    Max Frame Rate (Full Res) 6.5 FPS @ 16-bit (USB 3.0)
    Max Frame Rate (ROI) 110 FPS @ 8-bit (480 lines, 12-bit High Speed Mode)
    Exposure Range 30µs to 3600s
    Shutter Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Cooling System Dual-Stage TEC, -35°C below ambient
    Anti-Dew / Humidity Heated Window & Humidity Sensor
    Back Focus 14.5mm
    Computer Interface USB 3.0, 2x10Gigabit Fiber
    Filter Wheel Port 4-PIN QHYCCD CFW Port
    Trigger Port Programmable TrigOut / High Speed Sync Port
    Optical Window AR+AR Coated
    Weight Approx. 1kg
    Power Consumption Up to 40W (100% TEC)
    Peak QE 91%
    Sensor diagonal 28.27 mm
    Color or Mono Mono
  • QHYCCD Warranty