 |
ST-3200ME
CCD Camera Body with Optional C-mount Adapter and Lens |
ST-3200ME - Simple, Powerful and 3.21
megapixels:
The ST-3200ME is essentially the same camera as
the ST-402ME except that the imaging CCD is over 4X larger and it has more than 8X the
number of pixels. The ST-3200ME uses the KAF-3200ME CCD, the same sensor we use in
the ST-10XME. This CCD is 2184 x 1472 pixels at 6.8 microns. However, due to
the size of the array, the internal filter wheel cannot be used. For color or
photometric applications the CFW10-SA can be used insted with standard 1.25" filters.
The ST-3200ME, like the ST-1603ME, is intended
primarily for industrial and life science applications where a faster download rate is
more important than maximum cooling or self-guiding. Of course it will also perform
very well for astronomical applications, particularly where an external guider is already
available. For astronomical applications where greater cooling and lower read noise
performance is more important than the somewhat faster download rate, we also offer the
ST-10XMEI single sensor camera, and ST-10XME dual sensor, self-guiding camera, with the
KAF-3200ME imaging CCD and USB 1.1 electronics.
Full Complement of Software for the PC or
Mac:
The ST-3200ME camera comes with the same complete
complement of software as the other ST cameras.
CCDOPS Version 5: SBIG's
own complete camera control software, with image analysis, processing functions,
autoguiding, automated image acquisition, filter wheel control, and much more.
CCDSoftV5, Software Bisque's
professional astrometric and image processing program including SBIG camera control and
image link capability with TheSky and RealSky Palomar Sky Survey data.
TheSky Version 5, Level II, also
from Software Bisque. TheSky version 5 is a premier planetarium and star-charting
program that includes telescope control for many popular commercial GOTO systems.
Equinox by Microprojects is for
Mac users. It is a planetarium program that includes SBIG Camera control. This
will control all SBIG cameras, including older parallel cameras with our E2P
adapter. For Mac OS-X only. Send SBIG a copy of your invoice and camera serial
number and we will send you a CD at no charge.
Comparison of ST-3200ME and ST-10XMEI:
| ST-3200ME vs. ST-10XMEI Comparison Chart |
| Click here for curret prices |
ST-3200ME |
ST-10XMEI |
| High QE (>80% Peak)
"ME" CCD |
KAF-3200ME |
KAF-3200ME |
| Class of CCD in standard
camera |
Class 2 |
Class 2 |
| Column Defects Allowed |
None |
None |
| High Speed USB Interface |
USB 2.0 |
USB 1.1 |
| Full Frame Download Rate |
1130kps |
425kps |
| Full Frame Download Time |
~4 sec |
~8 sec |
| Internal shutter for
automatic dark frames |
Yes |
Yes |
| Internal ROM for CFW8A
control |
No |
Yes |
| I2C Port for CFW10 |
No |
Yes |
| Upgradeable to self-guiding
model |
No |
Yes |
| Read Noise |
10e- |
10e- |
| Cooling |
-20 C |
-35 C |
| Water Cooling Heat Exchanger |
No |
Optional |
| Power requirements |
12VDC
Unregulated |
12VDC and
5VDC
Regulated |
| Current requirements |
~ 2A |
~3A |
| Power supply included |
Yes |
Yes |
| Size |
5 x 4 x
1.8"
(12.7x10.2x4.6 cm) |
5 x 5 x
3"
(12.7x12.7x7.6cm) |
| Weight |
20 oz.
(0.6kg) |
32oz. (0.9kg) |
Since both the ST-3200ME and the ST-10XMEI
cameras are single sensor models using the KAF-3200ME CCD, a brief comparison is in order
to distinguish the features of each:
Both cameras use the same Class of CCD in the
standard price. A Class 1 is available in both models for an additional
charge. The ST-3200ME will download a full frame image in approximately 4 seconds.
The ST-10XMEI takes just under 8 seconds. However, the ST-10XMEI has lower
read noise and better cooling performance, and it is upgradeable to a self-guiding model
by adding an internal TC-237H guiding CCD. The ST-3200ME has no provision for a
second CCD, so it cannot be upgraded to a self-guiding camera.
In both cases, all new electronics are contained
entirely in the camera head. There is no separate CPU box. The computer
interface is USB 2.0 for the ST-3200ME and USB 1.1 for the ST-10XMEI. The ST-3200ME
camera can be used on USB 1.1 at a slower download rate. The USB 2.0 transfer rate
is approximately 1130kps (kilopixels/second)
A regulated power supply is built into the
ST-3200ME camera so it can be operated from any 12VDC source. The ST-10XMEI requires
our desktop supply or our 12VDC supply.
The ST-10XMEI is capable of controlling either
the matching CFW8A or replacement CFW10. The ST-3200ME must use an external filter
wheel that it cannot control directly like the CFW10-SA (Stand Alone) version.
The bottom line is that for astronomy the
ST-10XMEI is a better choice albeit at a slightly higher price. The ST-3200ME is a
good choice for industrial and life science applications where the light can be controlled
and download rate is a more significant factor.
Enhanced Cooling
Beginning in March 2006 we made
the enhanced cooling package standard on the ST-402ME cameras.
Earlier cameras may be upgraded. Click here for
more information.
Typical Specifications
Quantum Efficiency
 |
The
ST-3200ME has the same high QE as the ST-10XME |
Typical Specifications
CCD |
| CCD
|
Kodak KAF-3200ME |
| Pixel
Array |
2184 x 1472 pixels |
| CCD
Size |
14.9 x 10 mm |
| Total
Pixels |
3.21 million |
| Pixel
Size |
6.8 x 6.8 microns |
| Full
Well Capacity |
~ 50,000 e- unbinned
~ 75,000 e- binned 2x2, 3x3 |
| Dark
Current |
< 1e?»/pixel/sec at 0° C |
| Antiblooming
|
NABG Only |
Readout Specifications |
| Shutter
|
Electromechanical |
| Exposure
|
0.04
to 3600 seconds,
10ms resolution |
| Correlated
Double Sampling |
Yes |
| A/D Converter
|
16
bits |
| A/D Gain
|
0.8e-
unbinned
1.2e- binned 2x2, 3x3 |
| Read Noise
|
10e?»
RMS |
| Binning Modes
|
1
x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3 |
| Pixel
Digitization Rate |
Up
to 1,130,000 pixels per second with USB 2.0 |
| Full Frame
Download |
~4
seconds with USB 2.0 |
System Specifications |
| Cooling -
standard |
Single
Stage Thermoelectric,
Active Fan,
-30 C from Ambient Typical |
| Temperature
Regulation |
°0.1°C |
| Power |
12VDC
Power supply included |
| Computer
Interface |
USB
2.0
(USB 1.1 compatible) |
| Computer
Compatibility |
Windows
98/2000/Me/XP |
All Specifications are typical
The ST-3200ME includes camera body with female t-threads on front cover, 1.25"
t-thread nosepiece,
internal shutter, 12V power supply, USB cable, relay cable, and operating software.
The internal filter wheel cannot be used with this model. See CFW10-SA.
Price and specifications are subject to change without notice.
