Technical Articles
Calibrating CMOS Images
I’m often asked how CMOS Active Pixel Sensors differ from CCD sensors in terms of image calibration. For me, as a camera designer and a user, it’s been something of a learning process—not all CMOS sensors behave the same way. There are some rather surprising differences compared to CCD sensors. The basic principles are...
More Bits, Less Hassle: Introducing StackPro™ In-Camera Stacking Feature
Have you heard about Diffraction’s StackPro™ in-camera stacking feature? Before we get to describing all the fantastic things it does, let’s first talk about some of the challenges that necessitate it. Modern CMOS active pixel sensors have all the analog processing built into the sensor. Certainly, this is an advantage compared to the older, more mature...
STC-7: The Best (Big) Bang for Your Buck
We did it, with your help. You’ve wanted an affordable imaging package with everything. Not a bargain “hobby camera,” but a best-bang-for-the-buck CMOS camera with SBIG quality built-in, integrated filters, and StackPro™ technology. Introducing the new SBIG STC-7: our flagship scientific CMOS camera for seasoned and newcomer Astro-photographers. About freaking time. Diffraction Limited spent over three years testing...
OEM Story #1 – Medical Instrument Maker
Stumped by a tough imaging problem? Recently, a medical instrumentation maker contacted us with just such a problem. They created a scintillation technology that needs a low-light camera to detect photons in a unique way. Together, we developed a solution. Here’s how. Diffraction Limited creates innovative solutions for low-light imaging, and we have nearly 30...
Introducing Maxim DL Maestro
Want to increase your observing efficiency? Diffraction Limited introduces MaxIm DL Maestro, a game-changing new capability for its Cyanogen Imaging® MaxIm DL Pro, the gold standard in astronomical image acquisition and processing software. Maestro brings the ability to synchronize multiple simultaneous cameras under leadership of a primary imaging system. This allows you to achieve results...
When It Comes to Filters, Shiny Side Up Is Only the Way to Go
Which way do my filters go? Shiny side up! We want to reflect or block the light that we don’t want from the telescope and pass only what we do want down to the detector: your camera. Cameras such as the SBIG STC-7 come with a complete set of filters—you just need to install them....
STL Camera – New Tricks
What is the top issue SBIG STL owners have? As you know, it is guiding behind the filters. Would you be surprised to learn there is now a cure? Back in 2005, when skies were less light polluted and narrowband imaging was not as prevalent, the STL Research Grade cameras were renowned for versatility, reliability,...
“Eyeball Transplants” Give New Life to Old Sensors
Is your old camera suffering from the maladies of age? Slow camera downloads? Failed power supply? Shutter problems? Leaky chamber? Argon all gone? Drivers don’t work? Turning back the clock and rejuvenating an old favorite could be as easy as an SBIG sensor transplant. Our clean-room technicians will extract your good CCD sensor from its aging camera...
Matching Your Camera to Your Optics
by Douglas George In order to get the best results from your equipment, it is important to match the resolution of your camera to the resolution of your optics. In conventional photography your lenses are highly adaptable, with adjustable f/ratio and often zoom capability (adjustable focal length). On dedicated science instruments such as telescopes and microscopes...
Part II: Fast without the furious: Why your SBIG CCD camera doesn’t have USB 4.0
In Part I of this blog, we looked at the reasons why your SBIG CCD camera doesn’t require a super-fast interface that races along the data highway into your computer. As to the reasons why, first we looked at Cable Length, and now we’re going to look at the second reason, the Sensor Readout...
Part I: Fast without the furious: Why your SBIG CCD camera doesn’t have USB 4.0
There are lots of marketing claims about fast camera download speeds and ever-faster interfaces. It makes you wonder why your SBIG CCD camera doesn’t require a super-fast interface that races along the data highway into your computer. Why is this? It’s really two simple reasons: Cable Length Sensor Readout Rate In Part I of this blog, we’ll explore...
CCD Imaging 101
Raw CCD images are exceptional but not perfect. Due to the digital nature of the data many of the imperfections can be compensated for or calibrated out of the final image through digital image processing. This page contains some basic definitions used in CCD imaging that you will encounter from time to time: Composition of...