The ASI camera series from ZW Optical is very popular with astrophotographers. This is due to their excellent workmanship, very good value for money and exceptional ease of use.
ASI cameras have always been especially suitable for planetary photography, but now ZW Optical also offers these excellent cameras suitable for deep sky photography - photosensitive CMOS sensors combined with active cooling ensure this. Powerful Peltier cooling provides up to 45°C of cooling below ambient temperature for zero-noise recordings.
Included in delivery:
- camera
- 1.25" adapter with filter thread
- desiccant cartridges
- quick reference guide
- USB cable
You can connect the camera to the focuser of your telescope with the 1.25 "adapter, the 2" sleeve or the T2 thread.
The latest driver software for all ASI camera models is available for free download from ZW Optical at http://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software/
Colour or mono? Black and white cameras have the advantage of higher sensitivity and resolution than colour cameras. However, more effort is required to obtain a colour image. You also need colour filters and a filter wheel
Software and drivers are available for free download on the manufacturer's website: software drivers
Cooled ZWO ASI cameras need a 12V power supply, If you don’t have one, please check the recommended accessories for a suitable power adapter.
Our expert comment:
For installation, please use the 'ZWO ASI camera drivers for other cameras.exe' file in the 'Driver' folder.
We recommend the 'SharpCap' freeware as image capture software: http://www.sharpcap.co.uk/sharpcap/downloads
The camera is designed for USB-3 and can freeze if the data transmission rate is too low.
The following parameters are recommended for initial testing:
Capture Area - 3096x2080
Binning - 2
Frame Rate Limit - maximum
Turbo USB - 97
Highspeed Mode - On
Hardware Binning - On
The sliders for exposure and gain should be so adjusted so that the camera is not overloaded.
The menu settings for the computer's performance can be adjusted after a first live image is displayed.
Select the appropriate model in the Sharp Cap 'Camera' menu. If no image is displayed on older computers when using 'Binning 2', please try again with 'Binning 4'.
(Bernd Gährken)
