ATIK Cameras Apx60 User manual

Atik Apx60 Camera Manual
Version 1 – February 2022

Introduction......................................................................................2
Further information.................................................................................2
What’s in the box....................................................................................2
Getting to know your camera
Camera parts..........................................................................................3
Sensor.......................................................................................3
Optical window.......................................................................................3
Analog to digital converter (ADC)...........................................................3
Power consumption...............................................................................3
USB port.................................................................................................4
Cooling.........................................................................................4
Dark frames............................................................................................5
Binning............................................................................................5
Gain and offset.......................................................................................5
Gain pre-sets..........................................................................................5
Offset for advanced settings..................................................................6
Power modes.........................................................................................6
Replacing the desiccant.........................................................................7
Levelling plate adjustments...................................................................8
Technical specication...........................................................................9
Declarationofconformity.......................................................................10
Disposal of the camera.........................................................................10
Servicing and repairs.............................................................................10
Warranty............................................................................................11
Contents

2
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of an Atik Apx60 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 end user in mind. Your Atik camera incorporates state-
of-the-art design using high quality materials and will be your trusted imaging
companion for a long time to come. The camera contains a Sony IMX455 back
lit CMOS sensor with 3.78um pixels with a well size 51.4Ke-.
Further information
For easy installation instructions and useful information about how to take your
rst image, please refer to the Quick Start Guide included with your camera.
Additional information about our software can be found in our documentation
PDFs (Start Menu > Atik Cameras > Documentation), which are copied to your
computer during the software installation. More information, including a variety
of tutorial videos, is available on our website at www.atik-cameras.com
What’s in the box
Your Atik Apx60 box includes:
• Atik Apx60 CMOS camera
• M54 dust cap
• M54 to 2” eyepiece adapter
• USB3 cable
• Quick start guide
• Allen keys for front plate adjustment
• Desiccant port tool
• Please note software and manuals are available online at
www.atik-cameras.com/software-downloads/

3
Getting to know your camera
Camera parts
1Desiccant port
22.1mm centre-positive 12V DC input
3USB 2/USB 3 Port
Sensor
The sensor in the Apx60 camera is a Sony IMX type CMOS sensor.
Optical window
The optical window is quartz with BBAR coatings on both sides to negate
problems with reections in your images.
Analogue to digital converter (ADC)
The Atik Apx 60 uses 16-bit analogue to digital converters.
Power consumption
Atik Cameras are designed to have low power consumption to improve
performance in the eld. If you would like to run the camera from a 110/220V
mains supply, make sure it’s of good quality with a 2.1mm type plug, centre
positive and capable of supplying a minimum of 5 amp.
WARNING Mains power adaptors are intended for indoor use only. There is a
risk of electric shock if the adaptor is used in damp environments. If in doubt,
do not use the adaptor and consult a trained electrician.
1Desiccant port
3USB 2/USB 3 Port
22.1mm
centre-positive
12V DC input

4
USB port
The Atik Apx60 can be used with either a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 cable. Your
camera comes with USB 3.0 lead, any good quality USB 2.0 lead will work to
give you the exibility to choose whichever suits your set up and your imaging
requirements best.
The Atik Apx60 features a 512mb DDR III image buffer to ensure fast image
transfer from sensor to memory and low amp glow. The type of USB (2 or 3)
connection determines the speed of transfer between this buffer to the PC. For
high speed, you can use USB 3.0 or for a lighter more exible cable use USB
2.0. The type of connection does not affect image quality.
The USB 3.0 cable is
connected as shown below
and can be connected to
either a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0
port on your PC. Please note
that USB 3.0 transfer speeds
will only be reached when
connecting the cable to a
USB 3.0 port on your PC.
Cooling
The Atik Apx60 has a regulated cooling system, meaning that the CMOS sensor
can be kept at your desired temperature throughout an imaging session. This also
makes it easy to take dark frames at the same temperature as your light frames.
The cooling delta of the Atik Apx60 is -35°C. Please note that the cooling delta
is how far below the ambient temperature the camera can achieve, rather than
a xed temperature it can cool to. This means the best temperature to image
at will depend on your environment, and we recommend using a repeatable,
stable temperature, rather than simply the maximum the camera can reach on
a given night.
After switching on the camera, it’s advisable to allow up to 5 minutes before
taking images so that the temperature can stabilise. At the end of an imaging
session, turn off the cooling and allow a few minutes before disconnecting the
camera so that it can complete its warm-up sequence.

5
Dark frames
To get the most out of your Atik Apx60 camera for astrophotography, we
recommend processing your images using dark frames. You can take dark
frames by covering the front of the camera with a lens cap. Dark frame should
be taken at the same temperature, exposure length and with the same gain and
offset settings as your light frames.
A master dark should be generated by averaging a large number of individual
dark frames. This can then be subtracted from the individual image sub frames
during processing. Further information on using dark frames should be available
in the manual of whichever image processing software you choose to use. Dark
frames are not required for High-Speed Imaging.
Binning
Binning is a technique where groups of pixels are added together, with the
result being a brighter image. The CMOS sensor in the Atik Apx60 only supports
binning in software. This is where the pixel values are added together after
image acquisition, as opposed to hardware binning where pixels are combined
on the sensor.
Gain and offset
Your Atik Apx60 allows you to change the gain and offset settings for the
camera. In very simple terms, this is analogous to the volume control on a
radio. The greater the gain, the easier it is to detect faint signals; however, less
detail might be seen in the brighter ones.
Gain pre-sets
We provide three gain pre-sets, and the option to use your own custom settings.
The pre-sets are:
Low - Best for normal imaging. It is the best setting for detail in brighter objects
and when individual images have high dynamic range.
Medium - A compromise of low and high. It’s very useful if your mount is
unguided and you need to take a lot of shorter exposures.
High - Best for sensitivity on dim objects but sacrices detail in some of the
brighter parts.
Custom - - You can also experiment with using your own gain and offsets. The
gain can be set from 0 to 36 and the offset set from 0 to 4095. As mentioned,
we nd gain settings up to x30 are useful, depending on the situation, but
above this the full well depth becomes incredibly low.

6
Offset for advanced settings
The offset is a voltage added to all pixels. It’s used to ensure the digitised pixel
values remain above zero while maximising dynamic range. It can set between
0 - 65534, with the default setting as the low pre-set values.
Power modes
The Apx 60 has three different selectable power modes.
PowerSave – This mode allows the camera to shut down non-essential
circuits during exposures. This is the mode that should be used for deep
sky imaging as it will create the least noise in the image.
Normal mode – This is the normal operating mode where all necessary circuits
are powered up.
Fast – This mode allows the camera to be used for high-speed imaging, this is
handy for planetary imaging and daytime imaging.
The power settings can be adjusted either by connection the camera in Atik
Dusk or by using the properties box as you are connecting to a camera using
ASCOM

7
Replacing the Desiccant
Your camera includes a high-performance molecular sieve desiccant tablet
which is used to avoid condensation inside the CMOS chamber. Although this
desiccant will last a long time it may eventually need replacing 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: the 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.
We recommend leaving the camera in a warm, dry environment with the port
open while you are recharging the tablets to ensure any remaining moisture
can dry out.
You will notice that there is a lter inside the desiccant chamber. The purpose
of this is to avoid contamination of the chamber when the desiccant is being
replaced. The lter is very fragile and should not be touched.

Levelling plate adjustment
The front plate of the Apx60 has an M54 x 0.75 mm female thread to connect
to telescopes and accessories. It is adjustable to allow the user to ne tune
the camera to the optical system. The front plate has been pre-set during
manufacture accurately to the level of the sensor and normally does not need
adjustment. If the user is having issues with misshapen star shaped on the side
and corners of an image this method of adjustment can help.
Please only ever make the tiniest of adjustments to one set of screws at a
time. Adjustment is similar to collimating a Newtonian telescope. The headed
screw when turned clockwise will “pull” the front plate towards the camera
and the grub screw next to it will “push” the front plate away from the camera.
The screw is located in such a position so adjustments can be made with
the camera in the image train to allow the users to make adjustments without
removing the camera from the telescope.
It is suggested you make adjustments using the following method: Take an
initial image, inspect the image, make adjustments, take another image and
inspect it for changes and repeat this process until the desired results have
been achieved.
8
Adjustment screws

9
The formula to calculate focal length is: (Pixel Size (μm) / Focal Distance
(mm)) * 206.3 = angular resolution (arc seconds/pixel)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF Apx60
Sensor Sony IMX455 CMOS sensor
Pixel array (resolution) 9568 x 6380 px
Pixel size 3.76 x 3.76 μm
Sensor size 43.3mm diagonal (40.9mm x 31.1mm)
Full well >51,000e-
ADC 16 bit
Read noise 1.2e- low noise, 3.5e- high speed
Digitisation MBPS Limited by USB3
Gain factor Variable
Dark current ~0.03 e-/pix/sec at -10°C
Frames per second Up to 4 FPS (with region of interest)
and 2 FPS full frame
Cooling delta -35°C
Regulated cooler Yes
Water assist No
Max. exposure Unlimited
Min. exposure 0.001 s
PC Interface USB2/USB3
Power requirements 12V DC, 5A
Backfocus distance 17mm ±0.5;
Without levelling plate = 9.5mm ±0.5
Thread on front M54 x 0.75
Weight 1.1kg
Overall dimensions 89 diam x 153 mm
Mono or colour Either

10
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:
Atik Cameras Unipessoal Lda.
R. Horta de Bacelos, 15
2690-390 SANTA IRIA DE AZOIA
Santa 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 Atik Cameras Lda 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 contacting our technical support team through our contact page
www.atik-cameras.com/#footer
Please note that modications to the camera and/or accessories which are
undertaken without the manufacturer’s written permission will void the warranty.

11
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 modied
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.