ZWO ASI2600MC Pro APS-C Cooled Color Astronomy Camera # ASI2600MC-P



1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Please note: This ZWO Pro/Cooled camera must be powered from an external 12V DC power source with a minimum of 3 amps in order to run the TEC cooler and connect to your computer. The camera will not operate properly if only the USB3.0 cable is connected to your computer or ASIAir. You can use ZWO’s 12V DC power supply or an external battery. These are not included with the camera.

ASI2600MC Pro uses Sony’s latest back-illuminated IMX571 APS-C format native 16-bit ADC sensor. It has an ultra-high 14 stops dynamic range, ultra-low 1.0e readout noise and an innovative breakthrough resulting in zero amp-glow. It is a camera born from the appeal of astrophotography lovers.

Amazing Craftsmanship, Lightweight body, Solid image quality:

We have been working hard to reduce the weight of the camera while improving the performance of the camera. After years of technical accumulation and repeated weight loss experiments by ZWO engineers, ZWO finally concentrated the ASI2600 to 0.7KG.

APS-C format:

The ASI2600MC Pro uses APS-C format, the sensor length and width are 23.5mm * 15.7mm and the diagonal is 28.3mm. This is a 26MP camera with a small pixel size of 3.76um that can accommodate a large well depth of 50ke.

Native 16bit ADC:

ASI2600MC Pro is our first batch of CMOS astronomy cameras with 16bit ADC. This 16bit ADC is not a CCD 16bit ADC, and it can really achieve a dynamic range output of 14 stops. This significantly improves the image sharpness and contrast, and the color changes are smoother and more natural.

IMX571 backlit sensor:

Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.

With a conventional front-illumination structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor’s light-sensitive area (photo-diode) impede photon gathering carried out by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to optical angle response, while also increasing the amount of light that enters each pixel due to the lack of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors that have been moved to the reverse of the silicon substrate.

Sony has newly developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieves a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.

Camera Performance

The ASI2600MC Pro has excellent performance with a dynamic range of up to 14stops. When the gain value is 100, the magical HCG high gain mode is turned on, the readout noise is greatly reduced, and the dynamic range is basically unchanged. It is recommended to set the gain to 0 or gain 100 in deep space.

Zero Amp Glow

Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as the tell tale signs of ‘amp glow’. As the ASI2600MC Pro uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won’t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

With amp glow – exposure 300 second exposure

QE value:

We suppose that the QE peak value of the ASI2600MC Pro is above 80%.

Two-stage TEC cooling, ultra-low dark current:

Like the ASI6200, the ASI2600MC Pro also uses two stage TEC cooling and can lower the CMOS sensor temperature to more that 35c below ambient, which can greatly reduce dark current generation and sensor noise even with extended exposure times.

The unique dark current suppression technology can even further reduce dark current noise.

At a cooling temperature of 0 °, the dark current noise is only 0.003e/s/pix. Which means 300s exposure can only cause 0.9e dark current noise, which is less than the readout noise. While at a cooling temperature of -20 °, the dark current can even reduce to 0.00021e/s/pix, which is completely negligible!

The camera’s TEC cooler requires a 12V external power supply (not included). Note also that the ZWO ASIAir-Plus or Pro cannot power the cooling function properly for this camera.

DDR3 Memory Buffer

The ASI2600MC Pro is equipped with a USB 3.0 transmission interface and a built-in 256MB DDR3 cache to ensure stable and secure data transmission. Under long exposure, it effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces the glow effect caused by slow reading speed.

What's in the Box:

  • Camera Bag
  • Camera Body
  • Quick Guide
  • M48-M42 Adapter
  • USB 3.0 Cable (2m)
  • 2x USB 2.0 Cable (0.5m)
  • M42-M42 21mm Extender
  • M42-M48 16.5mm Extender
  • 2" Cover
  • Hexagon Wrench

Specifications:

  • Sensor: IMX571 Back-illuminated CMOS
  • Resolution: 6248×4176
  • Pixel Size: 3.76μm
  • Sensor Size: 23.5mm*15.7mm
  • Max FPS at full resolution :3.51FPS
  • Read Noise: 1.0e-3.3e
  • QE peak: >80%
  • Full well: 50ke
  • Exposure Range: 32μs-2000s
  • ADC:16bit
  • USB: 3.0

China

Note: Occasionally, the product you receive might have a slightly different cosmetic appearance or labeling than what is shown. This can often change from batch to batch according to the whims of the manufacturer. However, you will always receive a brand new, original product as described above.

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2. ORDERING INFORMATION

A. Payment: You can pay via any payment method that eBay accepts.

B. Shipping Method: United States Postal Service (USPS) or United Parcel Service (UPS) at your choice and expense (our choice if the item has free shipping option). eBay orders for items over $1,500 can only ship via UPS.

C. Order Processing Time: Orders received by 12 noon Mon – Fri US Pacific Time generally ship on the same business day. Orders received after 12 noon PT or on weekends/holidays will ship by the next business day.

D. Checkout: Please pay for the item(s) within 3 days from your account on eBay or by using the link in the email you receive from eBay.

E. Shipping Discount: We offer combined shipping if you order multiple quantities/items and if items can be combined. eBay will automatically show you the correct combined/discounted shipping costs when you check-out.

F. Combining Purchases: You can combine shipping for items purchased from us on eBay within 3 days. Buy the items individually and check out together for all items. eBay will combine the shipping weights and show you the discounted shipping cost. You must check out for all items together via eBay for this. We cannot combine shipping costs if you check out individually for your purchases.

G. Sales Tax/VAT: Sales tax or VAT may be charged and collected by eBay as required by law based on your ship-to address and local tax/VAT rates. Please check with eBay.

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3. US SHIPPING

A. Delivery Time:

  • USPS First Class shipments will generally take 3-5 business days to arrive after we ship it. Priority Mail shipments will generally take 2-3 business days. However, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the USPS. Delays of up to 2 (or sometimes even 3) weeks can occur in about 5% of the shipments due to Covid, operational, or other issues.
  • UPS shipments will generally take between 1 and 6 business days to be delivered depending on the method you select.

USPS and UPS do NOT offer any refunds for shipping/delivery delays for ANY reason (except for UPS Next Day Air service). Delays are out of our control once your order ships.

B. Tracking/Delivery Confirmation:eBay will update you once your order ships. You can see the order status or tracking information/link from your eBay account at any time.

C. USPS Tracking Limitations: Please note that is common for USPS tracking to show “Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item” or “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” even several days after your order ships. This does not mean that there is a problem with your order or that we have not handed over your package to USPS yet. This simply means that your package is en route without an outbound scan and tracking will not be updated until the package reaches a distribution center at your end several days later.

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4. INTERNATIONAL ORDERING / SHIPPING

A. Shipping Cost: Click on the "Shipping and Payments" tab above and select your country to see your shipping choices and cost. If you need a shipping cost estimate for multiple items, please contact us.

B. Delivery Time:

Please note that eBay’s delivery estimates shown are generally too optimistic!

1. UPS (All Shipping Methods):

    • We strongly recommend the use of UPS for international orders due to issues related to the ongoing Covid situation. Delivery time usually varies between 3-7 business days depending on your country and the exact shipping method you select.

2. USPS First Class International:

    • First class packages will usually be carried by GlobalPost (a USPS international delivery partner) for most of the way. Delivery at your end will be handled by your local postal service.
    • Delivery generally takes about 3-4 weeks after we ship your package. This can frequently take 4-6 weeks or more for several countries (8 weeks for Italy, Argentina, and South Africa; 8-12 weeks for Brazil).
    • There is very limited tracking available for 1st class shipments and there is no inquiry/tracing service. Once your package ships, we can do nothing but wait until your package arrives. Please do not become impatient and contact us in 2-3 weeks if your package has not arrived. If you don't receive the package in 6-8 weeks, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
    • If you don't want to take the risk of this delay or lack of tracking, DO NOT USE First Class mail - use Priority or Express shipping, or better still, UPS instead.
    • Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

3. USPS Priority Mail International: Delivery takes about 2 weeks to most countries after we ship your package. This can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to several countries. The USPS provides some basic tracking information for Priority shipping. Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

4. USPS Express Mail International: Delivery usually takes 5-10 business days after we ship your package. Packages are not considered lost unless 30 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

Again, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the US Postal Service. The most common reason for delays is slow customs inspection and clearance in your country, and can be very long, even for Express mail packages. Upon shipping your order, delivery delays are beyond our control, so do not leave us negative feedback or file a claim if your package is delayed. Delays are quite common but losses are very rare, so your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated.

C. Brokerage Fees, Customs and Duties:

  • You are responsible for any carrier brokerage fees and duties/taxes that may be levied in your country. These are not included in our item price or shipping cost. UPS brokerage fees can be quite hefty.
  • We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be or if they will be levied upon delivery.
  • Customs policies vary widely from country to country (Some countries such as UK are strict about imposing hefty customs duties). It is your responsibility to check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.
  • Customs fees are normally charged by the delivery company or your country's postal service or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are NOT additional shipping charges.
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5. RETURN/EXCHANGE POLICY

A. US Orders: Returns must be shipped back within 30 days. All returned items must be in brand new, resalable condition with original manufacturer’s packaging. A minimum restocking fee of 10% will be deducted if there is any evidence of use or wear, dirt, scratches, missing packaging/parts, etc. We may levy a larger restocking fee if the condition warrants it, or even refuse returns entirely if returned in heavily used/abused condition. Shipping fees are non-refundable (for items with free or discounted fixed shipping, the actual outbound S&H cost we incurred will be deducted) and you are responsible for all return shipping costs. Please contact us first before returning an item.

B. International Orders: No returns/exchanges accepted unless the item we shipped is defective. Please research the product and ask us any questions BEFORE you purchase to make sure you are buying the correct item for your needs.

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