OpticStar DS-335C Deep Sky CCD Camera

• Sony ICX262AQ, 3.3 Megapixel 1/1.8"
• Colour CCD: 2140 x 1560 pixels
• Pixel size 3.45µm x 3.45µm
• Binning: 1x1, 2x2, 4x4
• in colour and monochrome
• StarView mode 36 times sensitivity boost
• 48-bit colour images
• 16-bit B&W images
• Preview mode @ 2048x1536: 4 fps
• Raw 16-bit image transfer @ 2048x1536: 1 second approximately
• Maximum exposure time: 24 minutes
• Robust all metal case
• Sealed sensor and electronics
• USB 2.0 high-speed interface
• Focusing preview mode
• Full Nebulosity software included for camera control and image processing
• Bundled plug-ins: AstroArt & MaxIm DL
• Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7

Outline 
The DS-335C series colour cameras have been specifically designed for the amateur astronomer. Two models are available, the DS-335C and the DS-335C ICE which incorporates Peltier cooling that greatly reduces noise, important during extended exposures. Otherwise both models are identical in every respect.
 
 
StarView Mode 
The DS-335C ICE supports the special StarView mode that is ideal for fast focusing and real time preview. The StarView mode runs at 4 frames per second with maximum exposure times of 10 seconds per frame. This colour-only mode boosts the camera sensitivity by 36 times. 
 

Long Exposure Imaging 
The DS-335C is well suited for Lunar, Solar, planetary and deep sky astrophotography. For long exposures of deep sky objects please consider the DS-335C ICE model due to that camera's cooling subsystem that reduces image noise to the bare minimum and allows for very long exposures. This is of great importance in deep-sky photrography but not relevant when imaging the Sun, Moon and planets. For more serious deep-sky astrophotography we highly recommend the cooled version of this camera. Cooling is not relevant when imaging the Sun, Moon and planets. The DS-335C has exposures of up to 12 minutes in binned mode, 6 minutes un-binned. The DS-335C ICE has exposures of up to 24 minutes in binned mode, 12 minutes un-binned.

 
Binning for Higher Sensitivity 
The camera supports binning at 1x1, 2x1 and 2x2. At a 2x2 binning value camera sensitivity quadruples offering a resolution of 1070x780 in monochrome. The user can configure the camera to suit his/her imaging application by choosing between colour imaging or higher sensitivity monochrome imaging. 
 

High Quality Construction 
The camera electronics and sensor are housed inside a high quality aluminium body that entirely seals the sensor and on-board electronics from the outside environment. This is important as it protects the camera internals from high humidity and water running down the telescope and into the camera damaging the electronics or sensor, quite common in inadequate camera designs. 
 

The camera relies for fast data transfers on an efficient USB2.0 sub-system specially designed for the DS-335C (and DS-335C ICE). The camera is powered via the USB 2.0 port and comes with all cables, adapters and software needed to be able to use the camera out of the box.

• Model Opticstar DS-335C /DS-335C ICE
• Sensor type Sony ICX262AQ CCD, interline
• Sensor size 8.10mm x 6.64mm (1/1.8")
• Sensor aspect ratio 4:3
• Resolution 3.3 Megapixels, 2140 x 1560 pixels
• Pixel size 3.45µm x 3.45µm
• Binning modes 1x1, 2x2, 4x4.
• Preview mode 340x256 at 4 frames per second (StarView mode) x36 sensitivity 2048x1536 at 2 frames per second, standard sensitivity
• Exposure time max. 12 minutes
• Data output 24-bit colour (48-bit raw), 16-bit monochrome
• Raw 16-bit image transfer 1 second approximately @ 2048x1536
• Computer interface USB 2.0
• Housing Robust all metal case and sealed electronics
• Dimensions 71mm (W) x 95mm (H) x 86.7mm (D)
• Weight 500 grams
• Bundled Software Nebulosity software for camera control and image processing.
• Plug-ins for MaxIm DL, AstroArt and Nebulosity. 
• Computer requirements Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7

DS-335C in Astronomy 
Like any other astronomy camera used in low-light applications the DS335C camera will greatly benefit when used with lower focal ratio telescopes or when a focal reducer is used. Typically the Opticstar f0.5 reducer will reduce exposure times by a factor of 4 enabling any telescope/camera combination to receive 4 times the amount of light in the same period of time.

 
 
MaxIm DL & AstroArt Support 
The camera is shipped with software drivers for MaxIm DL and AstroArt v3/v4. There is extensive support with several binning modes including 1x1, 2x2 and 4x4. There are binning modes for colour imaging as well as black & white! The user can select a Region of Interest of any size. Focusing is greatly simplified with a real-time window of up to 4 frames per second.

There is support for 8 binning modes. These modes have been included in order to maximize the performance of the camera in specific areas including: resolution, colour/monochrome, sensitivity and focusing.