ZWO has integrated three devices, an astrophotography camera, a guide camera, and the popular ASIAir mini-computer into a single unit, the professional-grade ZWO ASI 2600 MM Pro Air monochrome, cooled camera.
The main imaging unit features a top-quality, back-illuminated Sony IMX 571 sensor, which represents the latest advancements with one of Sony's highest sensitivities and 16-bit dynamic range.
The camera's uniqueness lies in utilizing the Off-Axis-Guider system principle, using the telescope tube for imaging with both the astrophotography camera and the guide camera built into the same camera housing. Furthermore, the control-recording unit, the ASIAir, is also integrated into the camera housing. This step saves the weight and size of a separate guide telescope, separate guide camera, and control unit.
The ZWO ASI 2600 MM Pro Air monochrome, cooled camera features a special APS-C sized, high dynamic range, 23.5 x 15.7 mm (28.6 mm diagonal) 26-megapixel (6248 x 4176) CMOS sensor, combining ultra-low noise and immense sensitivity. The sensor is composed of 3.76-micron sized pixels, allowing for particularly high resolution. Its 16-bit ADC converter and over 80% QE promise extreme performance in deep-sky photography.
The camera includes a high-performance Peltier cooler, which maintains the sensor up to 35°C below ambient temperature, allowing for capturing fine details of galaxies. To compensate for the high cooling capacity, the camera also boasts built-in anti-dew heating. The 2 GB DDR4 memory buffer ensures stable, high-speed data transfer and virtually eliminates "amp glow" errors during long exposures.
Data transfer between the ZWO ASI 2600 MM Pro Air monochrome, cooled camera and the computer is realized through a USB-C connection. Additional devices can be connected via 4 USB 2.0 ports. The built-in ASIAir mini unit can be controlled wirelessly via WIFI from a smartphone or tablet. Only the AM3, AM5-N mounts can be operated with Bluetooth! For SkyWatcher mounts, it is recommended to acquire an EQ-mod cable for guiding, as there is no ST4 port on the camera. The ASIAir mini module's 256 Gb internal storage can hold numerous recordings, but it can also handle an external 1 TB storage device via its USB 2.0 port.
Numerous free software options are available online for image capturing, with SharpCap and FireCapture being particularly recommended for Windows. The camera requires newer versions of Windows but is also usable under Linux and even has Macintosh support.
Even without cooling, the camera requires a 12V power supply with a minimum of 3A, making an external power supply essential for operation.
Package contents:
- ZWO ASI 2600 MM Pro Air monochrome, cooled camera
- soft carrying case
- M54M-M54F adapter (16.5 mm)
- M54M-M54F adapter (21 mm)
- M54M-M48F adapter
- Allen key
- antenna
- 2 USB 2.0 cables (0.5 m)
- 1.5 m DC-DC extension cable
- 2 1m power cables
