TS-Optics ToupTek Mono Astro Camera 2600MP G2 Sony IMX571 Sensor D=28.3 mm
Cooled USB 3.0 APS-C mono astro camera with powerful Sony CMOS sensor for astrophotography - Gen. 2 with adapter flange Powerful two-stage Peltier cooling up to 35 °C below ambient temperatureSony IMX571 APS-C format mono sensor - back-illuminatedHigh resolution due to 3.76 µm pixel16 bit ADC - dynamic range like a CCD sensorNo more amplifier glow due to Zero-Ampglow circuitryConnection on telescope side: M42x0.75 female threadHeating of the optical window against dew condensation - adjustable in four levels.Working distance only 17.5 mm from T2 (M42x0.75) female threadBuilt-in AR filter as protection glassDDR3 Buffer 512 MB for more stable data transmissionG2: the cameras come with a detachable T2 connection. The distance from the mounting surface for the flange to the sensor is 8.8 mm.
TS 2600MP Mono Astro Camera of the latest Generation
The camera with the powerful Sony IMX571 sensor allows astrophotography on a very high level. This cooled CMOS sensor has no amplifier glow anymore and can be used for all areas of astrophotography. Due to the high resolution of the sensor, already fine details are displayed even at shorter focal lengths.
Another advantage is the sensational light sensitivity. The QE of 91% by the BACK ILLUMINATION technology already allow deep astro images with short exposure times. This makes the camera very well suited for deep sky photography.
Gen. 2 supplied with removable T2 adapter
To make the camera even more flexible, the T2 connection on the camera is removable. The working distance of 17.5 mm remains unchanged.The optically effective path of the adapter is 8.7 mm - the flange focal distance of the camera without the T2 adapter is therefore 8.8 mm.Attachment of the adapter to the camera with 4x M2.5 screws - distance of the internal threads from the center is 26.5 mmDiameter of the adapter is 59 mmThe adapter can also be used as a tilting adapter with optional M2.5 grub screws. Back-illumination technology:
Sony´s back-illuminated CMOS imaging sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction - key factors in improving image quality - by changing the basic pixel structure from front- to back-illuminated. The advantages of CMOS image sensors, such as low power consumption and high operating speed, have been retained.
The back illumination improves the light acquisition and increases the amount of light at the same time. This makes significantly shorter exposure times possible and leads to an improved quantum efficiency of 91 %.
Sony has developed a unique photodiode structure and on-chip lens optimized for backside-exposed structures, this results in higher sensitivity and lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defective pixels compared to the conventional front-side-exposed structure.
No amp glow:
Conventional CMOS sensors produce a faint infrared light source during operation, which can often be seen as a telltale sign of "amp glow" in the corners of uncalibrated images. Because this camera´s sensor uses zero amp glow circuitry, you don´t have to worry about "amp glow" even when using high-gain, long-exposure images.
Connection to correctors with M48 thread and 55 mm working distance with filter change
Most coma correctors or field flatteners for refractors have 55 mm working distance and a M48x0.75 thread on the camera side. Here you will find an interesting suggestion for the connection. The camera has a back focus of 17.5 mm from the T2 female thread. The adapters are from the camera to the corrector:
1. TSFSLM48T2 - filter drawer with T2 connection on the camera side and M48 thread on the telescope side.
2. TSVF220 - 20 mm M48 extension.
Total 55.5 mm flange focal distance - the 0.5 mm compensates well for the glass path of the filter - spot landing!!!
The new G2 cameras are also mechanically compatible with ZWO filter wheels (not electronically compatible) and the ZWO filter drawer. The filter changers are screwed on directly via the M2.5 threads. The articles are linked in the accessories section.
Connecting the ToupTek filter drawer and the ToupTek off-axis guider to a cooled ToupTek G2 camera is not completely intuitive, which is why ToupTek has produced a suitable instruction video. You can watch the video here and also download it, for example by clicking the right mouse button:
Video in SD quality
Video in HD quality
Informative PDF files about the TS-Optics/ToupTek cameras
We have made two helpful PDFs about some cameras from TS-Optics.
The first one gives general information about many cameras, it is in German language and can be
downloaded here.
The second PDF lists information about some camera sensors, you can
download it here.
Driver and Software
ToupTek provides drivers and software for this camera, you can
download them here.
[{Good storage is an important preventive measure against dew and also extends the service life}After use, put the camera straight into the TS Protect Case and add some silica gel. During storage, the silica gel absorbs the moisture from the camera. At the same time, the penetration of moist room air is prevented. Dry storage can even partially regenerate the small desiccant tablets in cooled cameras. Your camera or accessories are always ready for you in optimum condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.
The cameras are not airtight, so if the camera remains on the telescope, it is exposed to moisture. The small amount of desiccant in the camera can protect the sensor and the inside of the protective glass from moisture for the duration of the exposure, but not for days on end. Moisture problems can be the result. A simple trick is to stretch a plastic bag around the focuser to which the camera is attached so that no air can get in. Silica gel is placed in a small cloth bag inside the plastic bag. This will also create a "dry climate zone" for the camera on the telescope. This allows you to leave the camera on the telescope for a few days for an imaging session lasting several days.
In the medium and long term, however, this is no substitute for proper storage in an airtight case with silica gel.
Astrophotographic results achieved with this camera on Astrobin
Here you can find some astrophotographs taken with this camera model:
Link to Astrobin Sensor: | CMOS Mono Sensor IMX571 |
Size: | 23.5 x 15.7 mm - diagonal 28.3 mm |
Pixel size: | 3.8 µm |
Number of pixels: | 6224 x 4168 - 26 MP |
Bit depth: | 16 |
Frames per second: | 7 frames at full resolution |
Cooling: | Peltier cooling up to 35 °C below ambient temperature |
Power supply: | 12 V 3 A |
Power connection: | 5.5/2.1 mm coaxial power connector (2.5 mm DC connector) |
Interfaces: | USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 |
Supported operating systems: | Windows from XP |
Body diameter: | 80 mm |
Body length: | 100 mm |
Distance from the back to the openings for the fan: | 36 mm |
Connection telescope side: | T2 internal thread (M42x0.75) |
Back focus: | 17.5 mm (distance sensor to internal thread) |
Adapter from M48 to T2 with 16.5 mm length (M48 inside - T2 outside)T2 extension with 21 mm lengthAdapter ring with M48 external and T2 internal threadPower supply unit with mains cableUSB 3.0 high-speed cable - length 1.5 meters