Monochrome IMX455 sensors are available!

[dabateman]

I just noticed that QHY and ZWO have monochrome cameras with the huge sony 60Mpixel IMX455 sensor found in the Sony A7Rm4. These are the QHY 600 and ZWO ASI6200.

 

https://www.highpointscientific.com/zwo-asi6200-pro-usb3-point-zero-cooled-monochrome-camera-asi6200mm-p?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=ZWO-ASI6200MM-P&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoIPvBRDgARIsAHsCw08yFrMv0LHF5klkzDx01zboF89FnAyQKDz3Cf68qt90yGI-PkZ_pZgaAps2EALw_wcB

 

ZWO also has an add on computer accessory to link to a smart phone with the new pro version expected to be only $300. So for $4300, not a bad monochrome option.

I wonder what its UV potential is? Not sure if it would have the UVB robbing coverglass in place. But would have microlenses on sensor for better sensitivity, so maybe a trade off.

[colinbm]

What is the material that the micro-lenses are made of ?

[Andy Perrin]

Usually photoresist, I think.

[colinbm]

Like this....

https://www.allresist.com/faq-photoresists-composition/

[Andy Perrin]

Yep. Jonathan found that they did not hurt UV transmission at all (much the opposite!) in his half-debayered sensor.

[dabateman]

What is the material that the micro-lenses are made of ?

 

I have no idea what Sony uses. Jonathan tested a Canon sensor and found that the microlenses do improve the UV response here:

https://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php/topic/2974-split-sensor-image-monochromemultispectral-at-the-same-time/page__view__findpost__p__23663

 

If Sony uses the same material, I don't know. But looks like Panasonic has just jumped out of the sensor making business, selling its share of Tower Jazz.

My Em1 which uses a Panasonic MN34230 sensor is sensitive to deep UV. And that sensor was reported as an Astrophotography problem for not having any AR coatings.

 

Jonathan has been having issues getting deep UV with Sony and Canon sensors, as both seem to have coverglass which absorbs the UVb.

The coverglass may either have low pass filter or just a newer AR coating that absorbs below 350nm, as only us here want to image there.

I did see that the only real difference between the Olympus Em1mk2 and the Olympus Em1x sensors, was a new better coverglass AR coating. And the light transmission has been reported as different between these cameras, which may be more than just the differences in processors. So it may be harder to image into deep UV space in the future.

[dabateman]

This is the current ZWO camera controller:

https://www.highpointscientific.com/zwo-asiair-wifi-module-asiair

 

And this is the newer pro version which looks more promising:

https://agenaastro.com/zwo-asi-air-pro-wifi-camera-controller.html

 

The ZWO tripod colar for their cameras seems to have a 1/4 20 thread on the top.

https://agenaastro.com/zwo-holder-ring-asi-cooled-cameras-78-mm-diameter-newring-d78.html

 

So I can imagine mounting the camera controller on top of the camera on a tripod and controlling the whole thing from a smartphone. Would look odd. But wouldn't have to worry about kneeling down into the grass to look at the tilt screen for composition. Just stand away using my phone in hand.

[colinbm]

Kolorivision seem to go to great lengths to improve the UV response of the Panasonic S1R....& they can now offer ultra thin film moderation...?

https://kolarivision.com/the-panasonic-s1r-disassembly-and-teardown/

[dabateman]

The S1R maybe the last camera with a Panasonic sensor. It tested really well for IR in Kolari tests. I think they said the best.

Maybe an option down the road. The Panasonic S1 and S1H both use the 24Mpixel Sony sensor.

[colinbm]

Thanks Dave

[JMC]

On 11/29/2019 at 9:47 PM, dabateman said:

I just noticed that QHY and ZWO have monochrome cameras with the huge sony 60Mpixel IMX455 sensor found in the Sony A7Rm4. These are the QHY 600 and ZWO ASI6200.

 

https://www.highpointscientific.com/zwo-asi6200-pro-usb3-point-zero-cooled-monochrome-camera-asi6200mm-p?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=ZWO-ASI6200MM-P&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoIPvBRDgARIsAHsCw08yFrMv0LHF5klkzDx01zboF89FnAyQKDz3Cf68qt90yGI-PkZ_pZgaAps2EALw_wcB

 

ZWO also has an add on computer accessory to link to a smart phone with the new pro version expected to be only $300. So for $4300, not a bad monochrome option.

I wonder what its UV potential is? Not sure if it would have the UVB robbing coverglass in place. But would have microlenses on sensor for better sensitivity, so maybe a trade off.

Unfortunately the ZWO ASI6200 does indeed have a coverglass which robs a lot of the UV - just checked with one of the vendors. This camera would be ideal, but would still need the sensor coverglass replacing with fused silica.