QHYCCD QHY600C PRO SBFL Scientific Color CMOS Camera

Full-Frame 61.17MP Sony IMX455 Sensor: Native 16-Bit Depth

At the heart of the QHY600C Pro is the 36mm x 24mm Sony IMX455 sensor, which provides an enormous 9576 x 6388 pixel array. The 3.76µm pixels are an ideal match for high-resolution refractors and corrected reflectors, sampling the sky with immense detail. Unlike cameras that use 12-bit or 14-bit conversion, the QHY600 Pro employs a true, native 16-bit A/D converter, rendering 65,535 distinct grayscale levels for exceptionally smooth tonal gradations in deep-sky objects.

Multi-Mode Readout: 1.1e- Read Noise and >80ke- Full Well

The QHY600C Pro offers several selectable readout modes to optimize the camera for any target. In High Gain Mode, read noise plummets to a mere 1.1e-, allowing you to extract faint signal from photon-starved regions with minimal noise penalty. For bright targets or long-exposure narrowband imaging, the Extended Full Well Mode expands pixel capacity to over 80ke-, preventing saturated stars and preserving highlight detail. This flexibility, combined with a dark current of just 0.0022e-/pixel/sec at -20°C and zero amplifier glow, ensures a clean, data-rich foundation for your images.

Professional I/O: 2x10Gbit Fiber, USB3.0, and a 2GB DDR3 Buffer

Designed for applications where speed and reliability are critical, the QHY600C Pro includes both a standard USB3.0 port and a dual 10Gigabit Fiber Optic interface. The fiber connection allows for high-speed data transfer over long distances, delivering up to 3.5 FPS at full 16-bit resolution. To handle this massive data stream without dropped frames, the camera incorporates a 2GB DDR3 memory buffer, a feature essential for remote observatories and automated scientific surveys.

Regulated Cooling to -35°C Below Ambient

Thermal noise is suppressed by a powerful dual-stage thermoelectric cooling system, capable of achieving a regulated temperature typically -35°C below ambient for long exposures. This aggressive cooling dramatically reduces dark current, a critical factor for clean, multi-hour integrations. To combat condensation in humid environments, the camera is equipped with a built-in anti-dew heater for the optical window and an internal humidity sensor to monitor conditions within the sealed sensor chamber.

Short Back Focus (SBFL) Design: 14.5mm for Complex Imaging Trains

This SBFL (Short Back Focus) version of the QHY600 Pro is engineered with a reduced back focus distance of just 14.5mm. This minimal spacing is a critical advantage for imagers using complex optical trains that include filter wheels, off-axis guiders, and adaptive optics. The reduced profile provides the extra room needed to accommodate these accessories while still reaching the precise 55mm back focus required by most coma correctors and field flatteners.

QHY600 Pro SBFL vs. Standard: Which Version is Right?

The primary difference between the QHY600 Pro models is the back focal length. This SBFL model has 14.5mm of back focus, while the standard version has 17.5mm. While a 3mm difference seems small, it can be the deciding factor in a complex imaging train.

• Choose the SBFL (14.5mm) version if: You use a filter wheel (typically 20mm thick) and an off-axis guider (typically 10-15mm thick). The shorter back focus of the camera itself provides the necessary space to fit these components within the standard 55mm spacing of your corrector.
• Choose the Standard (17.5mm) version if: Your imaging train is simpler, perhaps using only a filter drawer or no accessories between the camera and corrector. The standard version allows for more straightforward connections with fewer thin, specialized adapters.