{"id":4201,"date":"2021-03-07T05:56:40","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T01:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/2020site\/?post_type=product&#038;p=4201"},"modified":"2023-08-24T13:11:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T09:11:44","slug":"sbig-stc-7","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/product\/sbig-stc-7\/","title":{"rendered":"SBIG STC-7"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Take stunning astrophotos with this all-inclusive imaging package.\u00a0 The SBIG STC-7 features an ultra-sensitive and low noise 7 megapixel cooled CMOS sensor, integrated 8 position filter wheel, plus a complete set of LRGB and narrowband filters, and an opaque filter for convenience in making dark frames.<\/p>\n<p>You can easily connect the STC-7 to your <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/product-category\/telescopes\/\"   title=\"telescope\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">telescope<\/a> via either the front T-Thread mount or the included 2\u2033 focuser adapter.\u00a0 The integrated filter wheel design ensures minimal back-focus distance for maximum compatibility.<\/p>\n<p>The STC-7 package also includes MaxIm LT for Windows \u2013 all the software you need to take images, calibrate, stack, and do essential image processing. Other software is supported via included ASCOM drivers.\u00a0 Mac OS and Linux drivers are also available.<\/p>\n<p>For even better results, the STC-7 is compatible with our SBIG\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/diffractionlimited.com\/product\/sc-2\/\">StarChaser SC-2<\/a>\u00a0off-axis guide camera.\u00a0 The StarChaser also supports the SBIG\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/diffractionlimited.com\/product\/ao-8a\/\">AO-8A<\/a>\u00a0adaptive optics accessory, which helps you get pinpoint star images.<\/p>\n<h3>STC-7 Highlights<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>High sensitivity, low noise 7 megapixel IMX428 imaging sensor<\/li>\n<li>Electronic global shutter for fast exposure times (0.001 to 3600 sec.)<\/li>\n<li>High-speed USB 3.0 interface (USB 2.0 compatible)<\/li>\n<li>Downloads in under 50 milliseconds (depending on computer speed)<\/li>\n<li>Stack Pro\u2122 automatic in-camera sub-exposure stacking<\/li>\n<li>Regulated two-stage cooling with delta ~ -30C<\/li>\n<li>SmartCooling\u2122 active temperature regulation to 0.1 degrees C for high calibration stability<\/li>\n<li>Integrated 8-Position Filter Wheel with LRGB + Halpha, OIII, and SII filters, plus an opaque filter for dark frames<\/li>\n<li>Compatible with SBIG StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guiding camera<\/li>\n<li>Supports AO-8A adaptive optics unit via StarChaser SC-2<\/li>\n<li>MaxIm LT control software<\/li>\n<li>Multiplatform software API and sample code available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Third-Generation CMOS Image Sensor<\/h3>\n<p>The STC-7 represents a major step forward in imaging technology, utilizing the SONY IMX-428 CMOS imaging sensor.\u00a0 Compared to our venerable STF-8300 CCD cameras, the STC-7 has higher sensitivity, lower read noise, and much faster readout.\u00a0 It produces extremely clean images with few hot pixels.<\/p>\n<p>Due to the extremely low read noise and fast readout, the STC-7 is best used with shorter sub-exposures than for comparable CCD cameras.\u00a0 A typical sub-exposure will be only 30-60 seconds, versus 5-10 minutes, while still achieving the same or better noise performance and overall dynamic range after stacking.\u00a0 This has many advantages including the ability to take unguided exposures without trailing.\u00a0 It can also be used for lunar and planetary imaging at high resolution, given its high sensitivity, wide exposure range, and fast readout.<\/p>\n<p>The STC-7 is compatible with most common telescopes, such as those having a focal length of 600 to 2500 mm.\u00a0The camera\u2019s pixel size is optimal for scopes from 1000 to 1600mm under good seeing conditions. Common refractors and small SCT scopes with focal reducer\/field flatteners are well suited. Longer focal lengths can be used for lunar and planetary imaging.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sensor Specifications:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SONY IMX428 CMOS imaging sensor<\/li>\n<li>3208 x 2200 pixels \/ 7.1 megapixel<\/li>\n<li>4.5 micron pixels<\/li>\n<li>17.6 mm diagonal<\/li>\n<li>Peak QE 78%<\/li>\n<li>Typical QE:\n<ul>\n<li>Red (635-700 nm) ~ 63%<\/li>\n<li>Green (520-560 nm) ~ 78%<\/li>\n<li>Blue (450-490 nm) ~ 75%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>12-bit A\/D conversion with low-gain and high-gain modes<\/li>\n<li>Very low read noise ~ 2.5e-<\/li>\n<li>Very low dark current 0.1 e-\/pixel\/sec typical @ -5C<\/li>\n<li>80 dB dynamic range<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The STC-7 supports several optional gain modes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low Gain\n<ul>\n<li>12-bit data<\/li>\n<li>Gain 5.5 e-\/ADU<\/li>\n<li>Full Well ~ 22,500 e-<\/li>\n<li>Read Noise ~5 e-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Medium Gain\n<ul>\n<li>12-bit data<\/li>\n<li>Gain 2.45 e-\/ADU<\/li>\n<li>Full Well ~ 10,000 e-<\/li>\n<li>Read Noise ~ 2.3 e-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>High Gain\n<ul>\n<li>12-bit data<\/li>\n<li>Gain 1.2 e-\/ADU<\/li>\n<li>Full Well ~ 5,000 e-<\/li>\n<li>Read Noise ~ 1.9 e-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Stack Pro\u2122<\/h3>\n<p>The STC-7 scientific CMOS camera features\u00a0<strong>Stack Pro\u2122<\/strong>, a revolutionary feature that performs image stacking inside the camera.<\/p>\n<p>While the IMX428 sensor has dynamic range on a par with its CCD predecessor, it is limited to 12 bit data (0-4095).\u00a0 At the same time it also has far lower read noise, which means you can stack many more shorter exposures without degrading signal-to-noise ratio.\u00a0 As great as this sounds it does result in a lot of extra disk usage and post-processing.<\/p>\n<p>Stack Pro\u2122 performs the stacking automatically, inside the camera.\u00a0 It automatically subdivides your exposure into up to 16 individual sub-exposures, and stacks them inside the camera prior to download.\u00a0 This eliminates the excessive amounts of data cluttering up your hard drive.<\/p>\n<p>As an example, by stacking 16 sub-exposures inside the camera you can get:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low Gain 16X Stacking\n<ul>\n<li>16-bit data<\/li>\n<li>Gain 5.5 e-\/ADU<\/li>\n<li>Effective Full Well ~ 360,000 e-<\/li>\n<li>Read Noise ~20 e-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Medium Gain 16X Stacking\n<ul>\n<li>16-bit data<\/li>\n<li>Gain 2.45 e-\/ADU<\/li>\n<li>Effective Full Well ~ 160,000 e-<\/li>\n<li>Read Noise ~ 9.2 e-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>High Gain 16X Stacking\n<ul>\n<li>16-bit data<\/li>\n<li>Gain 1.2 e-\/ADU<\/li>\n<li>Effective Full Well ~ 80,000 e-<\/li>\n<li>Read Noise ~ 7.6 e-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For comparison, our STF-8300M CCD camera sports typical read noise of 9.3 e-, with a full well depth of 25,000 e-.\u00a0 In the medium gain 16X stack mode, the STC-7 has similar read noise and yet has over six times the dynamic range!<\/p>\n<h3>Complete Imaging System<\/h3>\n<p>The SBIG STC-7 astronomy camera is a complete imaging system \u2013 just add telescope!\u00a0 The system includes:\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>STC-7 monochrome camera<\/li>\n<li>Built-in 8-position filter wheel<\/li>\n<li>Includes Luminance, Red, Green, and Blue (LRGB) filters<\/li>\n<li>Includes Hydrogen Alpha (Ha), Sulfur-II (SII) and Oxygen-III (OIII) narrowband filters<\/li>\n<li>One filter slot operates as a bias\/dark frame shutter for precise image calibration, which can be replaced with an extra filter if needed<\/li>\n<li>MaxIm LT imaging and processing software, which can be upgraded to MaxIm DL Pro<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Integrated Filter Wheel<\/h3>\n<p>The innovative integrated filter wheel is extremely compact, minimizing overall package size and back focus requirements.\u00a0 The wheel accommodates 25.4 mm round, 2 mm thick optical filters.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Integrated Filter Wheel with Retaining Plate Removed<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4203\" src=\"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Img_2444.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Img_2444.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Img_2444-300x194.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Img_2444-120x78.jpeg 120w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Img_2444-60x39.jpeg 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rectangular masks built into the wheel helps prevent stray light from contaminating your images, producing the highest possible contrast. Filter installation is very easy \u2014 simply remove the screws fastening the molded retention plate, drop in the filters, and reattach the plate.\u00a0 The molded retention plate firmly but gently holds the filters in place, eliminating any chance of damage.\u00a0 An included opaque filter blank is automatically selected by the camera whenever a dark frame is requested.\u00a0 If dark frames are not needed it can optionally be swapped out for an eighth filter (not included).<\/p>\n<h3>Included Optical Filters<\/h3>\n<p>A complete set of 25.4 mm round imaging filters is included:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Luminance (L)<\/li>\n<li>Red (R)<\/li>\n<li>Green (G)<\/li>\n<li>Blue (B)<\/li>\n<li>Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) \u2013 656.3 nm, bandwidth 6.5 nm<\/li>\n<li>Sulphur II (SII) \u2013 672.4 nm, bandwidth 6.5 nm<\/li>\n<li>Oxygen III (OIII)\u00a0 \u2013 500.7 nm, bandwidth 6.5 nm<\/li>\n<li>Opaque \u201cfilter\u201d (anodized aluminum) for dark frames<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Spectral response for LRGB filters is as follows:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4202\" src=\"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1.png 800w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1-768x496.png 768w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1-120x78.png 120w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1-60x39.png 60w, https:\/\/astronomicalsolutions.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Filter-800x517-1-600x388.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Advanced Software Included<\/h3>\n<p>All SBIG cameras come with our MaxIm LT software \u2013 a $200 value!\u00a0 MaxIm LT is a special version of our venerable MaxIm DL software that provides complete control of your camera, filter wheel, and autoguider, plus advanced image processing capabilities.\u00a0 If you wish you can upgrade to MaxIm DL Pro to get complete observatory integration and even more processing and analysis capabilities.<\/p>\n<h3>Optional Accessories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Compatible with StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guide camera<\/li>\n<li>Compatible with AO-8A adaptive optics unit (requires StarChaser SC-2)<\/li>\n<li>Nikon and Canon lens adapters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Package Includes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>SBIG STC-7 monochrome imaging camera<\/li>\n<li>Integrated 8-position filter wheel with L, R, G, B, Ha, OIII, SII filters plus opaque filter for dark frames<\/li>\n<li>T-Thread mount<\/li>\n<li>2\u2033 Nosepiece adapter<\/li>\n<li>Universal power supply<\/li>\n<li>USB 3.0 cable<\/li>\n<li>MaxIm LT software<\/li>\n<li>USB stick for software and manuals<\/li>\n<li>Deluxe carrying case<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SBIG STC-7 Scientific CMOS Imaging Camera with built-in filter wheel.\u00a0 This is a complete imaging package \u2013 just add telescope!\u00a0 LRGB and narrowband filters are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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