ZWO ASI1600MM Monochrome 4/3" CMOS USB3.0 Deep Sky Imager Camera

This is an exciting moment as with this NEW ZWO ASI1600MM camera ZWO made its debut into the DSO imager camera market.

The ZWO ASI1600MC camera is an excellent choice for imaging deep sky objects, however it can do much more than that. With a max framerate of 23 FPS this camera can also be used as an extremely high resolution planetary imager. If you cannot decide if your thing is deep sky or planetary imaging, go for this camera. It is also a much more affordable alternative to converting a DSLR.

You can even use it for guiding, although we understand that it is somewhat a waste of a talent to use it for guiding, but there might be special circumstances or setups when you would want to use it for guiding, so the opportunity is given.

ZWO developed four versions with the same large 4/3" sensor (21.9mm diagonal):

Colour or monochrome and cooled or uncooled.

Now you will have to decide whether you want a simple solution and go for a one shot COLOUR CAMERA or would like to get more data out your camera and go for the MONOCHROME version. If you would mainly use it as a deep sky imager camera, we'd also recommend to go for the COOLED version, but if you cannot afford or you'd be mainly using it as a very high resolution planetary imager, then go for the UNCOOLED version.

This product listing is for the UNCOOLED MONOCHROME version of the ASI1600.

Why not to try L-RGB or narrow band photography with the monochrome version of this camera, the ZWO ASI1600MM or ZWO ASI1600MM-COOL.
If you are not in rush, but you'd like to get out the best result from your camera, this monochrome version is the right choice for you, although if you can raise your budget a little bit, you could also consider the COOOLED version instead.

Consider that with this monochrome version you'll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band photography...

To choose the right bundle with the right sized filters and filter wheel, please read the following section...

LIMITING FOCAL RATIO

Please note that the sensor diagonal size is very close to the internal clear aperture of a 1.25" filter, therefore with very fast telescopes or if you will use the camera with a fast photographic lens, telephoto lens etc. there might be vignetting. (lens with small f-ratio: photographers call it a fast lens because it takes less time to achieve the same brightness of the image)

The limiting focal ratio with the ZWO manual filter wheel depends on the thickness of the filter glass and its clear aperture. The latter is usually 24 or 26mm for 1.25" filters. The cheaper ZWO LRGB filters that were developed for planetary imaging have 24mm clear aperture, but fortunately, the new LRGB filter that were developed for the ASI1600MM and ASI1600MM-COOLED cameras have 26mm clear aperture...

Earlier calculations were approximate figures as those were based on assumptions rather that precise measurements as at that time we did not yet have the new filters and electronic filter wheels in stock.

We have now took some measurements and recalculated the limiting f-ratio and to our surprise the results are much better, there will be much less vignetting...

limiting focal ratio= (filter to sensor distance + thickness of filter) / (filter clear aperture - sensor diagonal size)

Calculation for a 1.25" filter with 2mm glass (EFW Mini or EFW 8*1.25"/31mm)

(8.4mm + 6.5mm + 2mm + maybe 2mm more due to the cell) / (26mm - 21.9mm) = f/4.6

(f/4.85 with 3mm glass and f/5.1 with 4mm glass)

good for a fast Newtonian at f/5 or SCT at f/6.3

Calculation for a 31mm filter with 2mm glass (EFW Mini or EFW 8*1.25"/31mm):

(8.4mm + 6.5mm + 2mm) / (28mm - 21.9mm) = f/2.8

(f/2.94 with 3mm glass and f/3.1 with 4mm glass)

this would be good for a fast Newtonian or APO at f/4 or even faster...or to be used with a telephoto lens at f/2.8 or slower

Calculation for a 36mm filter with 2mm glass (EFW 7*36mm):

(8.5mm + 6.5mm +2mm) / (35mm - 21.9mm) = f/1.3

(f/1.38 with 3mm glass and f/1.45 with 4mm filter glass)

so this would be good for imaging with a really fast DSLR camera lens at f/1.4 (or slower) or maybe even with a really large SCT with a Hyperstar at f/2 (wouldn't make sense for a 8", 9.25" or maybe not even for 11" SCT to use a filter wheel in front position with a Hyperstar, but I could imagine a 14" SCT with a Hyperstar in that sort of configuration...although for any Hyperstar we would usually recommend Starizona's own filter drawer instead of a filter wheel...

Please get in contact if you need any help with choosing the right kit...

Images are for demonstration only.  Canon EOS lens adapter is not included, but available separately.

Features of the NEW ZWO ASI1600MM Monochrome Camera
Recommended for Deep Sky Imaging as well as the Sun, Moon and planets at very high resolution (this monochrome version is also an excellent choice for Solar imaging)
(To image the Sun you'll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)
Resolution: 16MPixel 4656X3520 at up to 23fps
Pixel Size: 3.8µm
Exposure range: 32µs - 2000s!
Read Noise: 1.2e @ 30dB gain
Full Well: 20ke
ADC: 12 bit
Cooling: 40 - 45 degrees below ambient (obviously, only on cooled versions)
Standard Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Color data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: TBC
Full aluminum housing with standard 2" interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.

DOWNLOADS

On the included CD you'll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers' websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Beta Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
We'd recommend to always use the beta version of Firecapture, but reverse to the latest stable version if you experience problems.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Here you can download a pdf file that will guide you through ZWO ASI camera troubleshooting. Click here!

ALL SKY CAMERA

due to the large sensor size, the usual 150 degree wide lens IS NOT included as it is not compatible, but there might be some other compatible lenses that would work with this camera. If you know about such lens, please let us know, so that we can share it with other users as well.

Specification of ZWO ASI1600MM

Camera technical details

Sensor: 4/3″ CMOS
Diagonal: 21.9mm
Resolution: 16Mega Pixels 4656×3520
Pixel Size: 3.8µm
Max FPS at full resolution :23FPS
Exposure Range: 32µs-2000s
Read Noise: 1.2e @30db gain
QE peak: TBD
Full well: 20ke
ADC:12bit
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Protect window: AR window
Dimensions: φ62mm X 41mm
Weight: 140g
Back Focus Distance: 6.5mm
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

Supported resolution

12Bit ADC
4656×3520 14.7fps
3840×2160 23.1fps
1920×1680 32.9fps
1280×960 47.1fps
640×480 80.4fps
320×240 124.4fps

10Bit ADC
4656×3520 23fps
3840×2160 36.2fps
1920×1680 57.7fps
1280×960 73.6fps
640×480 125.7fps
320×240 192.4fps

more resolutions are user defined