ATIK Cameras 4 Series User manual

Atik Series 4 User Man ual
Version 1.4 – July 2015

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Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Further information ......................................................................................................... 3
2. Pack Contents ........................................................................................................................ 4
3. Getting to know your camera ................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Camera Parts.................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Sensor .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.3 Optical Window ............................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC).................................................................................... 6
3.5 Power Consumption ........................................................................................................ 6
3.6 USB Port........................................................................................................................... 6
3.7 Cooling ............................................................................................................................. 6
3.8 Replacing the desiccant ................................................................................................... 7
4. Technical Information Summary ............................................................................................ 7
5. Declaration of Conformity ..................................................................................................... 9
5.1 Disposal of the camera .................................................................................................... 9
6. Servicing and Repairs........................................................................................................... 10
7. Warranty.............................................................................................................................. 10

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1. 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 astro- photography companion for a
long time to come.
1.1 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.

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2. Pack Contents
This pack includes:
1.Atik Series 4 camera
2.USB cable
3.Car lighter type power cable
4.CD with software and manuals
5.Quickstart Guide

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3. Getting to know your camera
3.1 Camera Parts
1. Mini USB port
2. 2.1mm centre-positive 12V DC input
3. Desiccant port
3.2 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.

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3.3 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.
3.4 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.
3.5 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.
3.6 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.
3.7 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.

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3.8 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:
Desiccant port
- 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.
4. 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
1620x1220
2448x2050
1392x1040
1932x1452
2750x2200
3380x2704
4242x2830
Pixel size (um)
4,4x4,4
3,45x3,45
6,45x6,45
4,54x4,54
4,54x4,54
3,69x3,69
3,1x3,1
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

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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

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5. 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.
5.1 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.

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6. Servicing and Repairs
Repairs, servicing and upgrades are available through your local dealer or by emailing
[e-mail]
Please note that modifications to the camera and/or accessories which are
undertaken without the manufacturer’s written permission will void the warranty.
7. 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.