The MX5-C is the "One Shot Colour" version of the highly successfull MX5 CCD camera. It is
an extremely compact cooled camera, with ideal characteristics for the smaller telescope, or
telephoto lens. Although Tri-Colour imaging is readily possible with the monochrome MX5,
“single shot colour” is far easier and gives remarkably good results. The MX5-C is fitted with a
colour matrix CCD device, which uses Yellow, Magenta, Cyan and Green microscopic filters
distributed over the pixel array. The software supplied (PixColM5) decodes the intensity data
from the pixels and reconstructs a full-colour image. This image is not just the usual red,
green and blue files that you get from tri-colour cameras, but also has a “Luminence” file
which contains high-resolution brightness data and restores almost all of the resolution of the
pixel array. Because of this, the filter grid does not compromise the camera resolution, and, in
addition, a sophisticated software routine removes all of the colour errors from sharp edges
and compact star images.

The system consists of a 50 x 100mm cylindrical camera head, weighing only 200 grams (7
oz), a 5 metre lightweight cable, and a small power module for mains, or battery use. The
camera ead is complete with a 1.25" drawtube adaptor and has a M42 Pentax thread barrel to
allow you to screw on various standard camera lenses. A tripod bracket is also supplied To
operate the MX5-C, you will need a PC computer with a standard 25 pin printer port socket.
The computer must be running Windows 3.1, or higher, and should be at least a 40MHz
486DX for best results. A 'Port Accelerator' module is available to speed up image download
by about 2.5 - 3x, if desired. The MX5-C comes complete with a versatile Windows based
control and processing program, PixColM5, which gives you an extensive range of features,
including colour decoding, without the need to buy additional software.
Further technical details of the MX5-C are given below.:

The MX5-C camera specification:

CCD type: Sony ICX055CK HyperHAD CCD secondary colour matrix with ultra low dark
current and vertical anti-blooming
CCD pixel data: Pixel size: 9.8 x 12.6uM, Image format: 500 x 290 pixels
CCD size: Imaging area: 4.9mm (horizontal) x 3.6mm (vertical).
Spectral response Peak response at 520nM (Green), 50% at 400nM (Violet) and 670nM (Near
infra-red)
Readout noise: Approx. 25 electrons RMS.
Full-well capacity: Approx. 120,000 e-.
Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x
Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 5 hours
A-D Converter: 12 bit, 10uS conversion time, serial output.
Computer interface: 8 bit unidirectional parallel port with bidirectional status lines (Standard
Centronics interface). 25 pin ADS style plug for LPT1, 2 or 3, via a 5 metre x 6mm diameter
cable.
Image download time Typically: 20 seconds with a 66MHz 486 PC, 8 seconds when using a
port accelerator module.
Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 700 milliamps max.
Cooling system: Regulated constant-current cooling supply built-in. Single-stage
thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30C below ambient.
Size: 50 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with M42 thread at CCD window end and
15 way 'D' style input plug at rear.
Weight: 200g.

Price - £620.00 + £10.00 p&p
With USB Interface - £720.00 + £10.00 p&p
Port Accelerator £55.00

The Astronomy Shop

1 Tone Hill. Wellington

Somerset TA21 0AU

United Kingdom

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