ATIK CAMERA 4120EX Series 4 Color Camera User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- ATIK CAMERA
Table of Contents
ATIK CAMERA 4120EX Series 4 Color Camera
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of an Atik Series 4 Camera. This manual will help you get the most out of your Atik camera so please take the time to read it thoroughly and you’ll soon be ready to discover new worlds.
Atik Cameras provide exceptional value for money, superior performance and unparalleled ease of use. They are the result of extensive research and development, each one having been designed and built with the requirements of the most demanding astro imager in mind. Your Atik camera incorporates state- of-the-art design and materials, and will be your trusted astrophotography companion for a long time to come.
Further information
For installation instructions and other useful information please refer to the Quickstart guide which was shipped with the camera. Information on the software is given in the ArtemisCapture guide, a PDF file of which is copied to your computer hard drive by the software installer. Further information, including a number of ‘Getting Started’ tutorial videos, is available on our website at http://www.atik-cameras.com
Pack Contents
This pack includes:
- Atik Series 4 camera
- USB cable
- Car lighter type power cable
- CD with software and manuals
- Quickstart Guide
Getting to know your camera
Camera Parts
- Mini USB port
- 2.1mm centre-positive 12V DC input
- Desiccant port
Sensor
The sensors available in the Atik series 4 cameras are listed below:
| Monochrome| Colour
---|---|---
Atik 420| SONY ICX274AL| SONY ICX274AQ
Atik 450| SONY ICX655ALA| SONY ICX655AQA
Atik 414EX| SONY ICX825ALA| SONY ICX825AQA
Atik 428EX| SONY ICX674ALG| SONY ICX674AQG
Atik 460EX| SONY ICX694ALG| SONY ICX694AQG
Atik 490EX| SONY ICX814ALG| SONY ICX814AQG
Atik 4120EX| N/A| SONY ICX834AQG
Due to the very clean nature of these CCDs, dark frames are unnecessary in
most cases.
This is due to the low noise which stands at an amazing 5 electrons RMS
typical.
Optical Window
The optical window used in front of the CCD is a BK7 with BBAR coatings on
both sides ensuring that no reflection will appear in your image.
Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
The Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) is a 16-bit ADC. This means that your
Atik camera will allow you to record subtle levels of gray, providing you with
enhanced dynamic range when capturing an image.
Power Consumption
Your Atik camera was designed to have low power consumption: please see the
table in section 4 for details specific to your camera model. The 2.1mm
centre-positive DC input is compatible with a wide range of 12V DC supplies.
WARNING: If you have purchased the optional mains power adaptor, please note that it is for indoor or observatory use only. There is a risk of electric shock if the adaptor is used in damp environments or outside. If in doubt, do not use the adaptor and consult a trained electrician.
USB Port
The Atik Series 4 cameras use a USB 2.0 high-speed interface, allowing full-
frame image downloads in only a few seconds. A higher speed “preview” mode is
also present, which provides roughly twice the speed.
Cooling
All Series 4 cameras have a robust, regulated cooling system, meaning that the
CCD is kept at the desired temperature throughout the imaging session. The
very low readout noise, combined with efficient cooling, means that dark
frames are not necessary in most situations, allowing you to spend more time
imaging and less time taking calibration frames. If very long exposures are to
be used or high precision data is required (exo-planet searches, for example),
dark frame libraries will be easy to maintain.
The cooling delta varies between models and full specifications are available
in the Technical Information Summary on page 7. Please note: the cooling delta
is how far below the ambient temperature the camera can achieve, rather than a
fixed temperature it will cool to.
After switching on the camera, it is advisable to allow up to 5 minutes before
taking images in order to allow the temperature to stablilize.
Replacing the desiccant
Your camera includes a high-performance molecular sieve desiccant tablet which
is used to avoid condensation in the CCD chamber. Although this desiccant will
last a long time it may eventually need replacement or recharging, in which
case please follow the instructions below:
- To replace the desiccant, open the desiccant port with the supplied plastic tool and a screwdriver and take out the used tablet.
- To recharge the desiccant, place the tablet in an electric oven at 200ºC for 2 hours. Take the tablet out the oven (CAUTION: tablet will be very hot) and allow it to cool down.
- Place the recharged tablet back in the camera, replace the port cover and tighten (no need to over-tighten). Wait 24 hours before connecting the camera again.
You will notice that there is a filter inside the desiccant chamber. The purpose of this is to avoid contamination of the chamber when the desiccant is being replaced. The filter is very fragile and should not be touched.
Technical Information Summary
| 420| 450| 414EX| 428EX| 460EX| 490EX|
4120EX
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Image sensor| Sony ICX274| Sony ICX655| Sony ICX825| Sony ICX674| Sony ICX694|
Sony ICX814/5| Sony ICX834AQG
Resolution| 1620×1220| 2448×2050| 1392×1040| 1932×1452| 2750×2200| 3380×2704|
4242×2830
Pixel size (um)| 4,4×4,4| 3,45×3,45| 6,45×6,45| 4,54×4,54| 4,54×4,54|
3,69×3,69| 3,1×3,1
ADC| 16 bit| 16 bit| 16bit| 16 bit| 16 bit| 16bit| 16bit
Readout noise
(Typ.)
| 4e| 5e| 5e| 5e| 5e| 5e| 5e
Cooling Delta| -30| -30| -30| -25| -25| -25| -25
Regulated
cooler
| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes
Water assist| No| No| No| No| No| No| No
Maximum
exposure
| Unlimited| Unlimited| Unlimited| Unlimited| Unlimited| Unlimited| Unlimited
Minimum
exposure
| 0,001s| 0,001s| 0,001s| 0,001s| 0,001s| 0,001s| 0,001s
PC Interface| USB2| USB2| USB2| USB2| USB2| USB2| USB2
Power
requirements
| 12VDC, 0.9A| 12VDC, 0.9A| 12VDC, 1A| 12VDC, 0.9A| 12VDC, 0.9A| 12VDC, 0.9A|
12VDC, 1A
Backfocus| 13mm ±0.5| 13mm ±0.5| 13mm ±0.5| 13mm ±0.5| 13mm ±0.5| 13mm ±0.5|
13mm ±0.5
Thread| M42x0,75| M42x0,75| M42x0,75| M42x0,75| M42x0,75| M42x0,75| M42x0,75
Weight| 400g| 400g| 400g| 400g| 400g| 400g| 400g
Mono or OSC| Either| Either| Either| Either| Either| Either| OSC
The following table gives the angular resolution per pixel with certain focal
distances. The formula to calculate any other focal length is:
(Pixel Size (μm) / Focal Distance (mm)) * 206.3 = angular resolution
(arcseconds/pixel)
Focal Length| Atik 420| Atik 450| Atik 414EX| Atik
428EX| Atik 460EX| Atik 490EX| Atik 4120EX
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
250| 3,63| 2,85| 5,32| 3,75| 3,75| 3,04| 2,56
300| 3,03| 2,37| 4,44| 3,12| 3,12| 2,54| 2,13
350| 2,59| 2,03| 3,80| 2,68| 2,68| 2,17| 1,83
400| 2,27| 1,78| 3,32| 2,34| 2,34| 1,90| 1,60
450| 2,02| 1,58| 2,99| 2,08| 2,08| 1,69| 1,42
500| 1,82| 1,42| 2,66| 1,87| 1,87| 1,52| 1,28
550| 1,65| 1,29| 2,42| 1,70| 1,70| 1,38| 1,16
600| 1,51| 1,19| 2,22| 1,56| 1,56| 1,27| 1,07
650| 1,40| 1,09| 2,05| 1,44| 1,44| 1,17| 0,98
700| 1,30| 1,02| 1,90| 1,34| 1,34| 1,09| 0,91
750| 1,21| 0,95| 1,77| 1,25| 1,25| 1,01| 0,85
800| 1,13| 0,89| 1,66| 1,17| 1,17| 0,95| 0,80
850| 1,07| 0,84| 1,57| 1,10| 1,10| 0,90| 0,75
900| 1,01| 0,79| 1,48| 1,04| 1,04| 0,85| 0,71
Declaration of Conformity
EU Declaration of Conformity
This product carries the CE Mark in accordance with the related European
Directive. CE Marking is the responsibility of:
Perseu, SA
R. Dr. Agostinho Neto, 1D
2690-576 Sta Iria da Azoia
Portugal
Critical Applications
This product is not designed for any “critical applications”. “Critical
applications” means life support systems, medical applications, connections to
medical devices, commercial transportations, nuclear facilities or systems or
any other applications where product failure could lead to injury to persons
or loss of life or catastrophic property damage.
This product is not a toy.
This is a class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause
radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate
measures.
Disposal of the camera
When no longer required do not dispose of this electronic device with general
household waste. To minimise pollution and protect the environment the camera
should be recycled. Local recycling drop off points available under the Waste
from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations which will accept
the camera. For further information contact Perseu SA at the above address, or
the shop from which the camera was bought.
Servicing and Repairs
Repairs, servicing and upgrades are available through your local dealer or by
emailing support@atik-cameras.com
Please note that modifications to the camera and/or accessories which are
undertaken without the manufacturer’s written permission will void the
warranty.
Warranty
The equipment is guaranteed against defective design, manufacture or materials for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
This means that Atik Cameras will repair or replace the equipment at its sole option, at no charge to the purchaser for parts or for labour, if the fault is reported within the guarantee period, provided however that Atik Cameras is able to duplicate the defect or problem at its facilities. This warranty does not apply to damage that occurred as a result of abuse or misuse, abnormal service or handling, damage which may have been caused either directly or indirectly by another product, or if the equipment has been altered or modified in any way, or if the damage was caused by repairs or service provided or attempted by anyone other than Atik Cameras. This warranty does not include or provide for incidental or consequential damages.
To exercise your rights under this warranty, you must return the equipment to
the dealer from whom it was purchased together with proof of purchase and a
clear description of the fault. If it’s not possible to return the equipment
to your dealer, you should contact Atik Cameras. Equipment returned to Atik
Cameras must be sent in appropriate packaging and at your expense (insurance
is recommended), together with proof of purchase, a return address and a clear
description of the fault.
This does not affect your statutory rights.