On this web site you will find the latest frame-integration video cameras, which are revolutionising the observation of the night sky with amateur telescopes.
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Mintron PD Camera control Panel
The buttons on the Mintron control the on screen display (OSD) menu.
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PD VIDEO COLOUR CAMERAS These new colour cameras are wonderful value at just £109.00 (camera only), or £179 camera and full kit. These cameras match the sensitivity of any other sub-£300 astro video camera (ie Mintron, GStar, Orion Starshoot Video) _________________________________________________ REVIEW OF PD COLOUR VIDEO CAMERA This camera has been independently reviewed (and is recommended) by Adrian Ashford. His review of the PD Video camera is on his Scopetest.com website, click here and here. A gallery of Adrian's images with the camera is here, and some of his images are shown in the links below. _________________________________________________ Please take the time to read Adrian's review. Our own view is that the camera easily matches any sub-£300 video camera in sensitivity, with well-controlled image noise. Suitable for all kinds of astronomy, and at an irresistible price! This new camera uses the 1/3" Sony Super HAD CCD II imaging chip, and produces good clean colour images. Suitable for all colour imaging, such as aurora work, meteors, nature & wildlife study and planetary imaging. For deep sky objects, the camera can take exposures of up to 20 seconds. At its high settings, it exceeds the sensitivity of the monochrome Mintrons. So it’s good for live viewing, and imaging, of a wide range of nebulae, galaxies, clusters. The camera is supplied without the IR cut filter, to ensure maximum sensitivity for deep sky use. |
| COMPARISON OF PD COLOUR VIDEO AND MINTRON CAMERAS | |
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| Mintron Camera | PD Colour Video Camera |
| The above images (M1 nebula) were taken using the same modest equipment - a 6 inch f5 Newtonian scope, mounted on a HEQ5 Pro mount. The Mintron was set at its maximum 5.12 second integration time, the PD Colour at 10.24 secs. The Mintron image is a stack of 36 frames, processed with Registax. The PD Colour image is a stack of just 11 frames. The images show that the PD Colour Video camera is more sensitive than the Mintron, showing fainter stars, and produces sharper images, showing more detail in the nebula. The PD colour camera produces more background noise than the Mintron, and contrast is lower. Overall performance however, most would agree, is better - colour being a definite advantage. | |
PD VIDEO COLOUR CAMERA  |
At its highest settings, some image noise is evident, but the latest generation noise reduction is employed, so noise is acceptable and can be controlled by an unsurpassed level of available camera control. By push buttons on the camera, numerous adjustments that can be made, which include-
Exposure: From very short (0.00001 secs) up to long (20 seconds) AGC (auto gain control):OFF, LOW, MID, HIGH Super Noise Reduction: OFF, AUTO, LOW, MID, HIGH IR Cut Filter: OFF, ON (if filter not dissabled) White/Colour Balance: Various parameters Bright Pixel Correction: OFF, or from 0 to 255. Dead Pixel Correction: OFF, or from 0 to 255. Gamma: from 0.20 to 1.00, in steps of 0.05 "Camera Only" includes the camera and Mains PSU only. "Full Kit" includes camera and everything you need to connect the camera to your telescope, and to view on your TV, or to view and capture live video on your PC/Laptop. MEDIA PLAYER CLASSIC (DOWNLOAD) Alternatively, the freeware Media Player Classic is a good viewing and capture program -Download Link The CAMERA AND "FULL KIT" INCLUDES 1. The latest version PD Colour Video camera. 2. Body cap and 5mm spacer ring for C-mount lenses. 3. Nosepiece to connect to any telescope 1.25" focuser tube. 4. Regulated 12V mains power unit. 5. 5 meter cable to connect to any TV/flatscreen. 6. Video capture device for viewing video and images on PC/laptop. 7. Software to capture video and images on any PC/laptop (XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8). A device is also available at same price for MAC users. 8. Small lens so you can practice set-ups indoors, and get great wide sky views outdoors. |
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SOME IMAGES TAKEN WITH THE PD VIDEO CAMERA The images below, taken with the PD Colour Video Camera by Adrian Ashford, are shown here with his permission. |
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The 12 images above are ©Adrian Ashford
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PD 2285C-EX MONOCHROME CAMERA
The PD 2285C-EX (otherwise known as the Mintron MTV 22S85HC-EX) remains the best sub-£300 monochrome deep-sky video camera. Once set up (by push buttons) the PD Mintron does Deep-Sky work automatically, so its lack of remote control is not an issue. Has the Sony Ex-view ½” imaging chip. Highly sensitive, and with nice clean images with lack of noise. |
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Bonus of 5 second integration beats other Mintron monochrome models. Far more sensitive than the colour Mintrons, (such as the Orion Starshoot Deep Space Video Camera), which are not recommended.
Like all our cameras, this camera is supplied with a full kit – everything you need to use the camera with a small lens (supplied) or with your telescope, and to view (and save) video and stills on your PC/laptop. Camera is available separately, please ask for price. |
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ACCESSORIES We offer the full range of acccessories for use with the Mintron PD camera. |
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LENSES We offer high quality, good value lenses for use with the Mintron and any other C or CS mount video camera. We also offer objective lenses for telescope, binoculars or camera obscura. |
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ORDERING
ORDERING We are Paypal Verified, so you can pay securely by Credit Card through PayPal. Just click on the "Add to Cart" buttons, and when finished "Go to Checkout". UK buyers can also pay by cheque, please email for details. WARRANTY Delivery will normally be within 7 days. New items: Guarantee is 12 months against manufacturing defects or defective parts. Damage caused by accident or by misuse is not covered. All Items: 14 day No-quibble money-back guarantee. SHIPPING/POSTAGE UK postage is charged at a flat rate £5.00, for orders up to £99.99, and a flat rate £10.00 for orders of £100.00 or more. The postage charge will be added at the "Checkout". First class post or special delivery. WESTERN EUROPE Shipping to customers in Western Europe will be by Fedex or UPS (or similar) courier service, and will cost a total of £28.00, including insurance. Customers should make their purchase using the "Add to Cart" and "Checkout" buttons in the normal way. Customers will then be sent a PayPal Invoice for the additional payment. INTERNATIONAL Other purchasers should email to check shipping costs before buying. |
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