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Unbinned
Binned
2 x 2
FL mm
5.4u
10.8u
4250
0.26
0.52
4000
0.28
0.56
3750
0.30
0.59
3500
0.32
0.64
3250
0.34
0.69
3000
0.37
0.74
2750
0.40
0.81
2500
0.45
0.89
2250
0.49
0.99
2000
0.56
1.11
1750
0.64
1.27
1500
0.74
1.48
1250
0.89
1.78
USB 2.0 Interface
The ST-8300 will download a high resolution, full frame image
in approximately 7.5 seconds, and focus with approximately
1 second update rates in planet mode (a high resolution 20
x 20 pixel box located anywhere on the CCD by the user)
when connected to a high speed USB 2.0 port. Full frame low
resolution, high sensitivity finding and focusing may be done
with ~ 2 second frame updates. The camera is also compatible
with USB 1.1 ports albeit at a slower download rates.
I2C Accessory Port
The 9-pin I2C port allows the use of our filter wheels with
the same interface. The power and commands for the filter
wheel all come from the camera through this port, so there
are no other cables or power supplies needed to operate
the filter wheel. Also, the same software that controls the
camera also controls the filter wheel. SBIG plans to offer two
custom filter wheels for the ST-8300M camera. The first will
be a 5-position filter wheel that will be thin enough to accept
a Nikon lens adapter for shooting filtered images through any
Nikon 35mm lens. The second filter wheel will hold more than
5 filters and is intended for those wishing to do both LRGB
and tri-color narrowband imaging without having to change
filter wheels. In both cases, automatic exposure sequences
may be set in advance for hands off acquisition, or the user
may control the filter wheel for each exposure if desired.
Standard (ST-4 pin compatible) Autoguider Output Port
The guider port on the ST-8300 is the same as on the other
ST cameras, using a modular telephone type 6-pin jack to
connect the ST-8300 to the user's mount when using the
camera as an autoguider. The internal relays used in the ST-
8300 design are opto-isolated, so that no external relay box
is required with any mount if the camera is being used as an
autoguider or if it is being used to control the telescope in
Track & Accumulate mode. Of course, a relay box can still
be used, although not required, for convenience if the user
already has one wired to a mount for another camera.
Binned
3 x 3
Solid Machined Construction
16.2u
FL inches
Although small and light, the camera is built to last. The front
0.79
170
plate, main body and rear plate are each machined from
0.84
160
solid aluminum block for maximum strength and then hard
0.89
150
anodized over a special bead blasted finished for durability.
Connector labels are laser etched and will never wear off.
0.95
140
1.03
130
12VDC Operation
1.11
120
The ST-8300 comes with
1.21
110
its own universal AC power
1.34
100
supply.
1.48
90
operate from 100-240VAC
and provides 12VDC at
1.67
80
3.75A to the camera. The
1.91
70
ST-8300 also has a built-
2.23
60
in voltage regulator and
2.67
50
can therefore be powered
directly from any unregulated 12V (10 - 14 volts) source
such as a battery for operation in the field. The universal AC
power supply is relatively small (1.2x2.3x5.2 inches, 30 x 58 x
132mm) and light weight (9 ounces, 254 grams). However in
the event that the user needs to locate this supply more than
6 feet (~2m) from the camera, an 8 foot (~2.4 m) low loss
extension cable with matching locking connectors is available
as an option. SBIG also sells a 12VDC battery cable with
alligator clips and a cigarette lighter adapter plug.
Even-Illumination Shutter
A mechanical shutter is
included to facilitate dark
frames. This is a necessity for
anyone operating remotely,
even if remotely means a few
feet away from the telescope.
Adding a shutter to a camera
design increases the cost and
size of the camera body but
we feel these trade-offs are worth the added convenience
and functionality. Since the early days of the original ST-7
camera, SBIG has been providing even-illumination shutters
in our cameras, something not found in the majority of other
cameras made for astrophotography.
"Even-illumination" means that the shutter mechanism is
designed to open and close in such a manner that it does
not change the proportion of light falling on the sensor due
to the shape or motion of the shutter itself. This is what one
finds for instance with an iris type of shutter that opens-
up starting at the center and closes over the center last. In
the ST-8300 we use a simple and very robust shutter wheel
with a fan-shaped aperture of the same design that we have
employed in the ST series cameras for the
past 15 years. The ST-8300 shutter sweeps
over the CCD without leaving any area of the
sensor exposed for a different period of time
than any other area. Another benefit of the
This
supply
will
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