ZWO ASI385MC USB3.0 Colour CMOS Camera with SONY Exmor and Digital Overlap HDR Technology and Autoguider Port
The ZWO ASI385MC comes with an exciting, comparatively large, 1/2″ (8.35mm diagonal size) 2.13M pixels IMX385 Colour CMOS sensor that features SONY Exmor and DOL (Digital Overlap)-HDR technology. The result is a stunningly low read noise (0.7e), very high sensitivity (0.13Lx) and 12bit ADC (analogue-to-digital converter: the higher the better...).
The comparatively large sensor, extremely low read noise, very high sensitivity and comparatively high framerates make this new camera a very good choice for various astro photography and microscopy applications, including other industrial applications as well (i.e. machine vision).
The ASI385MC camera comes with USB3.0 connection that gives you the opportunity to use it with newer laptops and is backward compatible with USB2.0. High framerates are not a guarantee for excellent images, but certainly helpful if other circumstances are given. There is no USB 2.0 version of this camera as that simply won't be enough to use the camera's possible high framerate, plus, for the same reason, we would really recommend to use it with USB3.0 compatible hardware as that's the only way to achieve very high frame rates...
It comes with an AUTOGUIDER PORT just as many other ZWO cameras, so you may use it for both imaging or guiding!
Astrophotography Performance
This camera will mostly be used for high magnification planetary, Lunar, Solar imaging, microscopic imaging and even industrial machine vision applications, but it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level as it supports up to 2000 seconds exposure time. This colour camera provides you with a simple imaging process, no need to worry about filters and filter wheel, so if you cannot spend much time then this camera will prove to be a very valuable tool for you astro and microscopic imaging needs.
CMOS Image Sensor for Industrial Applications that Realizes High Sensitivity Approximately Twice That of the Existing Product
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation has developed the CMOS image sensor “IMX385LQR” for industrial applications. This new image sensor realizes high sensitivity approximately twice that of the existing product (IMX185LQJ)*1.
The IMX385LQR pursues picture quality at low illuminance most needed by cameras for industrial applications and mounts pixels with a sensitivity of 2350 mV, which is the highest sensitivity among Sony image sensors for industrial applications*2. In addition, SNR1s of 0.13 lx*3, which is the highest performance among Sony Full HD-compatible image sensors for industrial applications, is achieved by mounting an internal programmable gain amplifier and high conversion gain pixels. Superior performance as an image sensor for industrial applications is further achieved by combining HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology with technology that improves sensitivity in the near-infrared light region.
Features of the ZWO ASI385MC Camera
Recommended for high-magnification planetary, Lunar and Solar imaging, microscopic imaging, machine vision and to image some deep sky objects
Resolution: 1936X1096
Long time exposure up to 2000s!
Autoguider Port
Very low read noise (0.7e)
Very High Sensitivity (0.13 Lx)
Full aluminum housing with standard 2" interface (although that is rather short as you can see from the picture, so we'd remommend using the T-thread connection)
M42X0.75 internal thread (T-thread)
T-thread to C-mount adapter included
DOWNLOADS
On the included CD you'll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers' websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
oaCapture (for Mac)
We'd recommend to use the latest version of Firecapture with the USB3.0 ZWO ASI cameras...
Specification of ZWO ASI385MC USB3.0
Sensor: 1/2″ CMOS IMX385
Diagonal: 8.35mm
Resolution: 2.12Mega Pixels 1936×1096
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Exposure Range: 32µs-2000s
ROI: Supported
ST4 Guider Port: Yes
Focus Distance to Sensor: 12.5mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Protect window: AR coated window
Operating System Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate: 12bit output(12bit ADC)
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 36mm
Weight: 120g or 4.2 ounces (without lens)
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Max FPS at full resolution:
10Bit ADC
1936×1096 120fps
12bit ADC
1936×1096 67fps
More resolutions can be user defined
SOFTWARE and DRIVERS
Up-to-date drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website. Click here!
For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer's website: ZWOptical
There is a Yahoo Group where you can find lots of information about how other members use the ZWO cameras: Yahoo Group ZWO ASI Cameras
USB 3.0 Port
USB 3.0 Port: can provide 5Gb bandwidth to let ASI385 run at 67 fps (12bit, normal mode) or 120 fps (10bit, high speed mode) at full resolution(2.13 Mega Pixels).
Mechanical Drawing
What is in the box?
ASI385MC box includes all necessary cables, drivers, adapters, and manuals.
Below is an example of a planetary imaging setup with a Imaging Flip Mirror, ZWO Filter Wheel and ZWO ASI120MM monochrome camera (obviously, you won't need a filter wheel for a colour camera...) With the help of a Variable Locking T2 Extension we could achieve parfocality. The eyepiece holder (that is part of the Imaging Flip Mirror) is also adjustable, so with these two adjastable items we can achieve various positions of the eyepiece thus parfocality can be achieved with eyepieces of various focal lengths. To see approximately the same field, you'd have to use an eyepiece with approximately 6mm focal length. Please note that this setup might not work for a Newtonian telescope due to the long back focus requirement.
Click on the above image to see it in full resolution.
