QSI News & Events
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Announcements
Dec. 12, 2009 - QSI 583 Selected by Sky & Telescope Magazine as a Hot Product for 2010
See the full report on the "Reviews" page>>
Learn more about the Award Winning QSI 583>>
Nov. 15, 2009 - QSI 583 Awarded the Stellar Performer for 2009 by AstroPhoto Insight
Throughout the year AstroPhoto Insight Magazine salutes products, services and industry leaders which have helped to advance the science and art form of astrophotography with the AstroPhoto Insight Stellar Performer Award. Through technical innovation, scientific contribution and industry advancing design, award recipients have provided their expertise to benefit of astrophotography hobbyists. The Stellar Performer Award honors their mentorship and contributions. The final selection is made by AstroPhoto Insight Magazine editors and advisors.
See the full report on the "Reviews" page>>
Learn more about the Award Winning QSI 583>>
October 14, 2008 - QSI Announces 500 Series Cameras with Integrated Off-Axis Guider
Quantum Scientific Imaging, Inc. today announced the addition of an integrated Off-Axis Guider (OAG) option to the 500 Series line of cooled scientific CCD cameras. The built-in OAG allows astrophotographers to guide using the light from the main telescope while picking off the light from the guide star in front of the filters.
The QSI 500 Series "wsg" models solve the problems with other guiding solutions by integrating a precision off-axis guider directly into the camera body with the pick-off prism positioned in front of the integrated color filter wheel – right where it belongs.
Never Struggle With Finding a Guide Star
One of the main challenges when using a camera with an internal guide chip is to find a star bright enough to guide by within the limited field of view of the internal guide sensor. When shooting through red, green or blue filters, ⅔ of the available light is blocked by the filter and not transmitted to the internal guider chip, guaranteeing lower signal-to-noise stars for guiding. This problem is compounded with narrowband filters where as little as 1% of the total light from a star reaches the guide chip. By positioning the pick-off prism in front of the filters, you always have all the star's light available for guiding.
Integrated OAG Supports Fast Optical Systems
By integrating the off-axis guider into the camera, the pick-off prism can be positioned very close to the internal filter wheel adding minimal backfocus and eliminating any possibility of flexure or rotation compared to a traditional OAG. The large ½" square pick-off prism is optimally positioned close to the internal filter wheel, supporting the use of guide cameras with large sensors, while preventing any vignetting of the main sensor even with very fast optical systems.
Flexible Guide Camera Options
The OAG built into 500 Series "wsg" models is designed to support many popular guide camera with 12.5mm of back focus or less. Guide cameras can be attached using C-mount or T-mount threads.
The end result is a rigid, easily focused camera system that will not move or flex while your mount tracks the apparent motion of the night sky.
The "wsg" option is available on all 500 Series models including the 3.2mp QSI 532wsg with the KAF-3200ME sensor and the 4.2mp QSI 540wsg with the KAI-04022. An upgrade option is available for current QSI 500 Series camera owners. Like all QSI 500 Series camera, the "wsg" models offer high sensitivity, exceptionally low noise and precisely regulated cooling in a compact design with impressive fit and attention to detail that will surpass your highest expectations.
Learn more about QSI 500 Series "wsg" models with integrated OAG >>
June 9, 2008 - QSI Announces the 4.2mp QSI 540 and 540c Cooled CCD Cameras
Quantum Scientific Imaging, Inc. today announced the addition of the QSI 540 and single-shot color 540c to the highly regarded QSI 500 Series family of 16-bit scientific CCD cameras. The QSI 540 employs the 4.2 megapixel Kodak KAI-04022 interline transfer sensor with microlens technology. The compact design of the QSI 500 Series allows the 540 to set a new benchmark for size and cost in a high performance, full-featured scientific CCD camera with this large 4.2mp sensor.
A total of five configurations of the monochrome QSI 540 and color 540c are available. The slim body QSI 540i and 540ci utilize the electronic shutter built into the KAI-04022 image sensor to control exposures. Shutter timing is very precise and can range from 100µs up to 240 minutes. The 540s and 540cs incorporate the optional internal mechanical shutter in the mid-size body to simplify the creation of calibration frames. The full-size 540ws adds a 5-position internal color filter wheel that holds standard 1 ¼” filters.
The increased field of view, high quantum efficiency, wide dynamic range, linear response to light and exceptionally low noise contribute to make the QSI 540i and 540c extremely well suited to a broad range of demanding astronomical, scientific, medical and industrial imaging applications. Additional details are available here:
Learn more about the QSI 540>>
Learn more about the QSI 540c>>
June 7, 2008 - Craig Stark Reviews the QSI 520ci
Craig Stark, Ph.D., is the developer of PHD Guiding and Nebulosity. Craig did a thorough technical review of the single-shot color QSI 520ci in the latest issue of AstroPhoto Insight Magazine. The review also includes some head-to-head comparisons with his own camera from another manufacturer that uses the same sensor.
Here are some of Craig's conclusions:
"To me, something that is brilliantly engineered is a work of art. In this respect, the QSI 500 series is a work of art... The camera is engineered and built like a racecar and performs like one too."
"Probably the most telling statement I can make about the 500 series cameras is that when I reviewed one, I didn't own one. After reviewing one, I do."
Read more highlights from Craig's review on the 500 Series Review Page>>
To read Craig Stark's full review of the QSI 520ci, visit the AstroPhoto Insight web site>>
to download the June/July issue.
January 31 , 2008 - Richard Berry Reviews the QSI 532
Richard Berry wrote an in-depth review of the QSI 532ws which was published in the February 2008 issue of Astronomy Technology Today. Richard Berry is the author or co-author of numerous astronomy books including, The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing, Build Your Own Telescope, and Discover the Stars. Richard was also a former Editor of Astronomy magazine and helped popularize amateur CCD astronomy in the 1990's with The CCD Camera Cookbook.
Here are a couple highlights pulled from Richard Berry's review.
“After working with the evaluation QSI 532ws for another ten weeks,
I ordered one for myself.”
“What impressed me in looking over the mass of data I collected is that the QSI
532ws’ images are exceptionally clean and free of readout artifacts.… the QSI 532ws’ bias frames looked so close to ideal that I was amazed… I can say that for all practical intents and purposes, the test QSI 532ws bias frames are textbook perfect.”
“I was impressed with the high sensitivity, the clean bias frames, the low dark current, the uniformity of the CCD’s response to light, and the smooth, reliable operation of the shutter and filter wheel. My overall assessment is that QSI 532ws is a laboratory-quality camera that’s an outstanding value for amateur astronomers who demand top-notch imaging performance.”
Download Richard Berry's complete review of the QSI 532>>
Note: The PDF is over 8mb so give it a minute to download
Upcoming Events
The 7th annual Advanced Imaging Conference (AIC) will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, California November 4-6, 2011. Join over 250 of the world's most accomplished astrophotographers for three intensive days that feature techniques from the leading experts, over 30 exhibitors offering the latest tehnology and a chance to to network and form friendships that will propel your images to new heights.
Visit the AIC web site for full details>>
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Neuroscience 2011 is the premier venue for neuroscientists from around the world to debut cutting-edge research on the brain and nervous system. More than 31,000 attendees are expected at the 41st Annual Meeting to be held November 12-16, 2011 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.
Visit the Society for Neuroscience web site for full details>>
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Recent Events
The third annual Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show (PATS) is at the Pasadena Convention Center, September 17-18, 2011, in Pasadena, California with a one-day imaging conference on Friday, Septemeber 16th. Hosted by the organizers of RTMC, this international conference, exhibition and workshop is the largest astronomy show on the west coast.
Visit the PATS web site for full details>>
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Southern California Astronomy Expo (SCAE). The 2011 SCAE, presented by Oceanside Photo and Telescope, takes place on July 16, 2011 at the beautiful OPT Showroom in downtown Oceanside, CA. Many of the biggest and best manufacturers of astronomy equipment exhibit at SCAE 2011 to demonstrate their products. QSI's Kevin Nelson will be giving a presentation on image calibration starting at 1pm. Admission is free.
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Midwest Astro-Imaging Conference. The 2010 Midwest Astro-Imaging Conference (MAIC), hosted by AstroPhoto Insight Magazine, took place on July 23-24, 2010 at the NIU Hoffman Estates Meeting Center. The facility has an auditorium that seats 243 for general sessions, and classrooms for break-out sessions and vendor exhibits. NIU Hoffman Estates is located only 20 minutes from O'Hare International Airport.
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Symposium on Telescope Science held in Big Bear Lake, May 11-13, 2010. The purpose of the joint meeting with the Center for Backyard Astrophysis (CBA) is to provide a forum for astronomical researchers of all levels who are interested in providing or using astronomical measurements from electronic instruments to plan, discuss and share their work within the astronomical community.
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QSI exhibited at the 20th Annual Northeast Astronomy Forum & Telescope Show (NEAF) held outside New York City in Suffern, NY, April 17-18, 2010. NEAF is the premier astronomy expo in the U.S. QSI also exhibited at the Imaging Conference (NEAIC) held immediately before NEAF April 15-16, 2010.
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In conjunction with Ian King Imaging, QSI exhibited at AstroFest 2010 held February 5-6 at the Kensington Conference & Events Centre in London, U.K.
Visit the AstroFest web site for full details>>
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