{"product_id":"apollo-428m-max-usb3-0-mono-camera","title":"Apollo 428M MAX USB3.0 Mono Camera","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo 428M MAX is a high-speed monochrome astronomy camera from Player One Astronomy, built around Sony's 1.1\" IMX428 global-shutter CMOS sensor. Its 7.1-megapixel array (3216×2208, 4.5 µm pixels, 17.5 mm diagonal) reads every pixel simultaneously, so full-disk solar and high-contrast lunar-planetary subjects are captured without rolling-shutter distortion or the horizontal banding that can affect fast readout. This is the non-cooled member of the Apollo 428M family, using a passive cooling body.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you image the Sun in monochrome — full-disk and close-up Ha, Ca-K or white-light through the appropriate filters — and want the frame integrity of a global shutter. It also suits lunar and planetary high-frame-rate capture where a large, fast global-shutter sensor helps freeze seeing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX428 global-shutter CMOS:\u003c\/strong\u003e distortion-free capture of moving or rapidly changing subjects such as the solar surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7.1 MP resolution:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3216×2208 pixels at 4.5 µm across a 1.1\" (17.5 mm) sensor — large enough to frame the full solar disk at moderate focal lengths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo banding:\u003c\/strong\u003e the readout is engineered to avoid the horizontal banding that shows up in demanding solar and planetary stacks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh frame rates:\u003c\/strong\u003e 51 fps at 10-bit (27 fps at 12-bit) at full resolution over USB3.0.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow read noise:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.5 e− down to 1.4 e− at high gain, 25.3k e− full well (100k e− in hardware BIN2).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e256 MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e steadies the high-speed data stream.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe IMX428 is a 1.1\" global-shutter monochrome CMOS with 4.5 µm pixels. Full-well capacity is 25.3k e− (100k e− in hardware BIN2 mode), read noise ranges 5.5 e− to 1.4 e−, digitised at 12-bit, with peak QE near 79%. At full resolution it reaches 51 fps in 10-bit and 27 fps at 12-bit over USB3.0. Sensor-to-flange backfocus is 12.5 mm and the AR-coated D32×2 mm window sits ahead of the sensor. The 66 mm body terminates in a 1.25\" \/ M42×0.75 interface. Cooling is passive; an optional Active Cooling System (ACS) is available separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolar imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e full-disk and detailed Ha, Ca-K or white-light capture through the appropriate solar filters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLunar imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e high-frame-rate mosaics of the lunar surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanetary imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e lucky imaging of the brighter planets in monochrome or through filters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe camera presents a 1.25\" nosepiece and M42×0.75 rear, with 12.5 mm of backfocus to account for. Data runs over USB3.0 (backward compatible with USB2.0), powered from the same USB connection — no separate power supply is needed for the camera itself. As a monochrome camera it images through external filters; solar work uses a dedicated solar filter or Ha etalon system. For longer exposures an optional Active Cooling System can be added.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a monochrome camera:\u003c\/strong\u003e it images through filters — a solar Ha\/Ca-K\/white-light filter for the Sun, or LRGB\/narrowband for other targets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-cooled by default:\u003c\/strong\u003e passive cooling suits high-frame-rate solar and planetary capture; an optional Active Cooling System extends it toward longer exposures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolar imaging requires proper solar filtration:\u003c\/strong\u003e the camera is used behind a certified solar filter or dedicated solar telescope, never at an unfiltered telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 160 g:\u003c\/strong\u003e very light on the focuser.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It threads on through its 1.25\" \/ M42 interface and runs entirely over a single USB3.0 cable — no external power needed for the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh-frame-rate monochrome solar imaging, plus lunar and planetary capture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need filters?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — it is a mono camera used behind solar (Ha\/Ca-K\/white-light) or LRGB\/narrowband filters depending on the target.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it differ from the Apollo 428M MAX Pro?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis model is non-cooled with a 256 MB buffer; the Pro adds two-stage TEC cooling and a 512 MB buffer for long-exposure work. Both share the IMX428 global-shutter sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7.1 MP IMX428 global-shutter mono camera with no banding and 51 fps readout — a solar, lunar and planetary imager that runs on a single USB cable and accepts an optional cooling system when your work grows into longer exposures.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53834293280879,"sku":"Apollo 428M MAX","price":1118.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Apollo-428M-MAX-3_4cec0241-37a8-4e03-86a6-a394e3f0fb72.png?v=1784239774","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/apollo-428m-max-usb3-0-mono-camera","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}