ASI cameras stand for a very good workmanship and feature up-to-date CMOS sensors. Now, ZW Optical makes these outstanding cameras available for deep-sky photography, too. A powerful Peltier cooling provides cooling up to 40 °C below ambient, allowing smooth exposures without noise.

With 28.4 mm sensor diameter and 4944*3284 4.74 µm pixels, the ASI071MC Pro color camera offers high detail resolution with a large image field at the same time. The sensor has a similar diagonal as the one of APS-C format DSLR cameras, but it is far more powerful.

With this, you can photograph an entire galaxy cluster and show details of the single galaxies at the same time. The camera is especially suitable for fast, high-resolution optics like apochromats or FastStar systems. Even with shorter focal distances, outstanding astro images are generated.

Large sensors with, in comparison with DSLR cameras, rather fine pixels require good adjustment to avoid tilt between sensor plane and image plane. For this, the ASI071MC Pro has an adjustable connection plate which makes an additional adjustment flange with its optical path obsolete.

The "single shot" color camera offers more comfort, compared with MONO cameras. Not everyone wants to follow through the laborious L-RGB technique for beautiful colored nebula images. The color cameras offer a possibility to get beautiful images without changing filters. However, good broadband nebula filter (see accessory recommendation) reduce stray light and enhance contrast without the necessity of being changed or coloring the image too much.

Advantages and features of the ASI 071 PRO camera:

• USB 3.0 for a fast download - can also be used with USB 2.0
• DDR3 memory buffer to help improve data transfer reliability. Additionally, the use of a memory buffer minimizes amp-glow, which is caused by the slow transfer speeds when the camera is used with a USB 2.0 port.
• Powerful Peltier cooling up to 40 °C below ambient temperature
• Sensitive modern SONY IMX071 CMOS sensor with 28.4 mm diameter - 16 megapixels
• High resolution through 4.78 µm pixels
• Shutter: Rolling Shutter
• Distance from T2 connection thread to camera sensor: 17.5 mm
• Adjustable connection plate - locked against unintended unscrewing
• Comes with AR-coated clear glass window - full transmission even in infrared. If IR should be blocked, an IR blocking filter is necessary.
• Anti-dew heating integrated against icing (feature of the new PRO series)
  
  

Supported resolution (14Bit ADC):  

• 4944×3284 10fps:   
• 1920×1200 28fps:   
• 1280×1080 33fps:   
• 640×480 70fps:   
• 320×240 134fps:

Application ranges of the camera:

• Deep sky images (nebulae and galaxies): Due to the high sensitivity, nebulae and galaxies are captured after only a few seconds. By cooling down the camera up to 40 °C below ambient, the already low noise can be further reduced. By increasing gain (like the ISO setting of DSLR cameras), you can reduce exposure times below 30 seconds. Effects from seeing or inaccuracies of the drive are eliminated.
• Lunar and planetary images: extremely short exposure times (due to high sensitivity) freeze the seeing. Through the high resolution of the sensor, many details can be reproduced even at shorter focal length. Video astronomy is also possible.
  
  

Important: external power supply required!

Please notice that all ZWO cameras with cooler need to be connected to an external 11-15 V power supply to work.

Even when the cooler is not being used the power supply must be used for the camera to be reliably recognized.

Optimal support by APM Telescopes before and after purchase:

We work with the cameras ourselves and can offer you optimal advice. Which camera matches your telescope, how do you achieve optimal adaption ...

Practical tip 1: Integration of 2" filters, 360° rotation and quick coupling

The camera is often used on correctors that do not have a filter thread. In addition, the filters should always be used as close as possible to the camera. Here we offer you a solution that can do much more.

• 2" filter holder directly in front of the camera
• 360° rotation for the right choice of the image section
• Quick release - you can remove the camera from the remote ear at any time, without screws and thus entangling the cables

The adaptation is very simple, the 21 mm T2 extension is replaced by:

• 1x TSROTT2-T2 and 2x T2AbstimmA1

One tuning ring comes to the camera side, one tuning ring comes to the telescope side of the rotator. Then screw on the M42-M48 adapter with 16.5 mm length and you are in the right distance with the camera.

Practical tip 2: Storage of cameras and accessories

Especially in our latitudes, the nights are often very humid. This humidity condenses on your camera, eyepiece or filter when they come into the warm interior of the apartment. Especially cooled cameras are affected by this. Quickly a photo session is over because the sensor ices up.

Good storage is an important prevention against dew and also extends the life span.

After use, put the camera immediately into the TS Protect Case and add some silica gel. During storage, the silica gel will suck the moisture out of the camera. At the same time, the penetration of humid room air is prevented. Dry storage even allows the small dry tablets in cooled cameras to partially regenerate. Your camera or accessories are always ready for you in optimal condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.

Downloads, Drivers:

ZW Optical supplies software and drivers online for free download.

Software and drivers for all ZWO cameras

If you get dew or ice on the window or sensor of your older ASI071MC Pro camera, simply install a new driver version.

Frequently Asked Questions about ZWO Cameras:

The FAQ section is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find the answers to many questions.

FAQ about ZWO cameras

ZWO Users Forum

Manuals for ZWO products:

The manuals page is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find user guides for ZWO products.

Link to the manuals

How to clean my ZWO camera:

The manufacturer provides a manual that covers how to clean an ASI camera and regenerate the desiccant tablets: Please click here.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin

Scope of Delivery:

• ASI camera body
• Storage bag for camera
• M48 to T2 adapter ring w/o optical length
• Quick guide
• USB 3.0 cable 2 m
• T2 extension, 21 mm
• M48 to T2 adapter, 16.5 mm
• 2" cover
• Hexagon wrench
• 2x USB 2.0 cable 0.5 m