Overview

QHY5III678M/C, the upgraded version of QHY5III 178M/C, is a new planetary and guiding camera of QHY5III V2 series with excellent near-infrared high sensitivity.

Extended Near Infrared Sensitivity

In this latest generation of sensors, the photodiode portion of the pixel well is physically deeper than in previous sensors, allowing photons of longer wavelengths to penetrate further into the substrate. This dramatically increases the sensor's sensitivity to red and near-infrared (NIR) light. The sensor exhibits nearly equal peak sensitivity to NIR light as it does to visible light.

512MB DDR3

The QHY5III (Ver. 2) series planetary and guiding cameras are all equipped with a 512MB DDR3 image buffer which can effectively reduce the pressure on computer transmission, a great help for planetary photography which often requires writing a large amount of data in a short period of time. Some deep-sky astrophotography cameras on the market today only have 256MB, for example.

In comparison, the 512MB DDR3 memory of the new 5III (Ver. 2) series cameras represents a significant upgrade.

New Front-end Desn with Better Compatibility

QHY5III (Ver. 2) series cameras have adopted a new front-end design with improved compatibility. 

The BFL (back focal length) of a V2 camera is only 8mm, which means you can easily integrate a V2 camera with your OAG (off-axis guider). The basic top adapter includes 1.25-inch threads, so you can still use your 1.25-inch filters.

The top adapter glass of the V2 can be easily swapped. One of the advantages of interchangeable top glasses is that you can use a filter even if you’re using a lens! You can add a 1.25-inch to CS adapter to connect a CS lens, or add a second CS-C adapter for a C-mount lens. Both adapters are standard accessories for V2 cameras.

Additionally, there’s a 1.25-inch filter wheel adapter available to connect your monochrome planetary camera to the QHYCFW3-S filter wheel.

USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C Interface

The new QHY5III (Ver. 2) series cameras all use the USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C interface. Compared to the USB 3.0 Type-B interface used in the previous generation, the Type-C interface offers a longer lifespan and greater flexibility.

Tip: It is recommended to use the official QHYCCD standard Type-C data cable. Since the market is flooded with a large number of poor-quality Type-C cables, using an inferior cable may cause the camera to malfunction. If you choose to use your own cable, please ensure it is of high quality.

Universal Guiding Interface

The custom interfaces used in the previous generation of planetary cameras and guiders have been replaced in the QHY5III (Ver. 2) cameras with a more universal ST-4 compatible guiding interface. Now, even if the guiding cable is lost or damaged, you can easily find a replacement on the market at a low cost.

Indicator LED

The new QHY5III (Ver. 2) series cameras are equipped with a status indicator at the back of the camera. If the camera experiences an abnormal condition, the coloured indicator light will help diagnose the issue, with different colours signifying different statuses. During normal operation, the indicator light is off, so there’s no need to worry about light contamination in the image.