New Atik 460EX

[ruitripa]

Hi all,

We are extremely pleased to announce the new Atik 460EX. This new camera features the latest and greatest in CCD technology from Sony, the ICX694 with EXview HAD CCD II technology. Features 6MP, low noise and excellent sensitivity! Check it out:

http://www.atik-cameras.com/products/info/atik-460ex

Deliveries start in April, so reserve yours quickly! 

[Lex]

Hi Rui,

First, what about pricing? 

[ruitripa]

Taking into account that you'll have over 4 times the pixel count, and over twice the area of a ICX285, and won't lose any sensitivity, price is quite nice! 

Seriously, check out your favorite dealer website, as prices will vary a bit depending on country. 

[Konihlav]

This is a great news Rui! I've been loking forward to Atik 460EXM for couple of last months!

Anyway, it would be great if there is any precise review of the new Atik cameras which would motivate for an immediate purchase. I want to do a simple review test for myself to compare the QE of 314L+ and QE of new 428EXM that my friend already purchased. The RN is <4e- for 314L+ and >>5e- for 428EXM. I expect the bigger sensor surface (so that 1.25" filters just fits) and QE in narrow band lines (15%, 40% and 45% improvement) to be worth the upgrade from 314L+ though 428EXM and 460EXM seems to be of a less use for lucky imaging. But for long subexpositions (like 60 seconds or more) the RN difference 3.8e- vs. 5.5e- is not that big deal so in every aspect the 428EXM and 460EXM should be superior and, from my point of view, the "best" CCD in this class.

Let us know when there is any review!

thanks
Pavel

[pf_fin]

Hi Rui,
one question: does the  1.25'' adapter  has a T2 thread (M42x0.75 female) on the camera side?

Thanks

[Lex]

Hmm,

I still wonder about the price because I can't find the cam on the WWW..
My other concern is the shutter; is it mechanical or electronic?

Thx

[Konihlav]

does the  1.25'' adapter  has a T2 thread (M42x0.75 female) on the camera side?

I expect the camera to have a standard T2 thread female (M42x0.75) as every other small 2 medium format Atik CCD. On the female T2 there's a 1.25" barrel adapter that has threads for filters (1.25"). This adapter is usually removed and replaced by a filter wheel with direct T-thread to T-thread connection.
The backfocus I expect should be about 13mm as every other platform 4 Atik CCD.

My other concern is the shutter; is it mechanical or electronic?

I expect there is no mechanical shutter as with every SONY based Atik CCD. The only Atik CCD with mechanical shutter is AFAIK Atik 383.

Therefore w/o mechanical shutter you can do subexpositions of fraction of second which is handy when taking flats. With mechanical shutter you have to take flats of 3-4 and more seconds to prevent shutter problems (even illumination of the frame). On the other hand the mechanical shutter helps you do not need to cover front lens of your telescope to take biases or darks.

[Lex]

Hi,

I own an Atik 383l+ and in fact I will never buy a main imaging CCD camera without a mechanical shutter.
I think this is a real value in therms of creating auto darks for flats and also when doing short exposures.

On the other hand, you are right because you will mainly use this kind of shutter for taking darks and a pain in the *** for me was to cover the scope 

[bwa]

I will never buy a main imaging CCD camera without a mechanical shutter.

Interesting you say this!?  After the problems I've had with mechanical shutters on various CCD's I'll never buy another CCD camera with a mechanical shutter!!

bwa

[ruitripa]

Hi,

Cameras has M42 threads, and electronic shutter. Price varies from country to country due to taxes, but should be close to 2500 Euro.

@Lex , if you have a filter wheel with enough positions, you can use a black cover on a free position as a "shutter".

[bwa]

...electronic shutter

Wonderful (and Sony)!  And with the same arcsec/pixel as the 428Ex, just more image area... also nice!

bwa

[jcm]

Specs look good.
Looks like the ideal replacement for my 16HR.

John

[Lex]

Indeed, i forgot the option with the black filter 

[jcm]

Hi All,

Just ordered a 460 EX.
Can't wait for it to arrive to give it a go with my new 90mm F6.6 APO.

John

[Lex]

Bwa,

That's strange, i had a shutter issue with the 383 in the beginning but it was replaced instantly with a new one by Atik... From there on i never had problems..
On the other hand it is the first cam with mech shutter so there is no real experience in the game