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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
QHYCCD QHY5III568C Color

QHYCCD QHY5III568C Color

by QHYCCD
SKU QHY-110184
$399.00 - $399.00
$399.00
$399.00 - $399.00
$399.00
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  • Color CMOS Sensor
  • Planetary Imaging Camera
  • Autoguiding Camera
  • USB 3.0 Interface
  • ST-4 Guide Port
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • QHYCCD QHY5III568C Color Planetary and Guide Camera

    The QHYCCD QHY5III568C is engineered as a versatile, dual-purpose camera, serving as both a high-frame-rate planetary imager and a sensitive autoguider. Its color sensor simplifies the process of capturing planets, the Moon, and the Sun (with a proper solar filter), delivering vibrant images in a single shot. This same sensitivity makes it a reliable guide camera, capable of tracking faint stars to ensure sharp, pinpoint results during long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography.

    Capturing Solar System Targets in Color

    The QHY5III568C is designed for high-resolution imaging of our solar system neighbors. The built-in color sensor array eliminates the need for a filter wheel and monochrome imaging sequences, streamlining your workflow at the telescope. This one-shot-color capability is ideal for capturing fleeting moments of steady seeing, allowing you to record detailed images of Jupiter's cloud bands, Saturn's rings, and Martian surface features with straightforward acquisition and processing.

    A Sensitive Guide Camera for Deep-Sky Imaging

    Beyond its planetary role, the QHY5III568C functions as a capable autoguider. When connected to your mount's guide port, it can detect and lock onto faint guide stars, issuing precise corrections to counteract tracking errors from your mount's drive system. This is critical for obtaining sharp, round stars in multi-minute exposures of nebulae and galaxies with a separate imaging telescope.

  • What makes the QHY5III568C a good choice for planetary imaging?

    The QHY5III568C is designed for planetary work, which involves capturing thousands of frames in a short time (a technique called "lucky imaging"). Its color sensor simplifies this process by capturing full-color data in every frame, eliminating the complexity of using separate red, green, and blue filters.

    How does the QHY5III568C perform as an autoguider for deep-sky objects?

    As an autoguider, the QHY5III568C connects to an off-axis guider or a separate guide scope. It takes short, continuous exposures of a star near your imaging target. Guiding software like PHD2 analyzes the star's position and sends correction commands to the telescope mount via the camera's ST-4 port, ensuring your main camera captures sharp, untrailed images of faint targets like the Orion Nebula (M42).

    Is the QHY5III568C suitable for imaging Jupiter with an 8" f/10 SCT?

    Yes, this is an excellent combination. An 8" SCT provides the focal length needed to achieve a large image scale on Jupiter. The QHY5III568C would be used with a 2x or 3x Barlow lens to bring out fine details like the Great Red Spot and individual cloud bands. Its ability to capture high-speed video is essential for freezing moments of atmospheric stability.

    Do I need any filters to use the QHY5III568C?

    For most planetary and guiding work, no color filters are needed since the QHY5III568C is a color camera. However, an IR/UV Cut filter is highly recommended to sharpen the image and improve color balance, as most telescopes are not designed to focus infrared and ultraviolet light at the same point as visible light. For solar imaging, a certified, full-aperture solar filter must be placed on the front of your telescope.

    What software is compatible with the QHY5III568C?

    The QHY5III568C is supported by QHYCCD's own drivers and capture software. It is also compatible with a wide range of third-party astrophotography software via its ASCOM driver. For planetary capture, popular choices include FireCapture and SharpCap. For autoguiding, it works seamlessly with PHD2 Guiding.

    How does the QHY5III568C connect to a telescope?

    The QHY5III series cameras typically use a 1.25" nosepiece form factor. This allows the QHY5III568C to be inserted directly into any standard 1.25" focuser or accessory, just like an eyepiece. It connects to a computer via a USB cable for data transfer and power, and has a separate ST-4 port for connecting to a telescope mount's autoguide input.

  • QHYCCD Warranty