SBIG STC-7 Scientific CMOS Imaging Camera – STC-7-US Diffraction Limited

This is a complete imaging package – just add telescope!  Includes:

• High-sensitivity, low-noise 7 megapixel imaging camera
• Integrated super-slim 8-position filter wheel, built into the camera
• Complete set of filters included – LRGB + Ha + SII + OIII – a $700 value
• Plus an opaque filter, automatically selected by the camera when acquiring dark frames

SBIG STC-7

Take stunning astrophotos with this all-inclusive imaging package.  The SBIG STC-7 features an ultra-sensitive and low noise 7 megapixel cooled CMOS sensor, integrated 8 position filter wheel, plus a complete set of LRGB and narrowband filters, and an opaque filter for convenience in making dark frames.

You can easily connect the STC-7 to your telescope via either the front T-Thread mount or the included 2″ focuser adapter.  The integrated filter wheel design ensures minimal back-focus distance for maximum compatibility.

The STC-7 package also includes MaxIm LT for Windows – all the software you need to take images, calibrate, stack, and do essential image processing. Other software is supported via included ASCOM drivers.  Mac OS and Linux drivers are also available.

For even better results, the STC-7 is compatible with our SBIG StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guide camera.  The StarChaser also supports the SBIG AO-8A adaptive optics accessory, which helps you get pinpoint star images.

STC-7 Highlights

• High sensitivity, low noise 7 megapixel IMX428 imaging sensor
• Electronic global shutter for fast exposure times (0.001 to 3600 sec.)
• High-speed USB 3.0 interface (USB 2.0 compatible)
• Downloads in under 50 milliseconds (depending on computer speed)
• Stack Pro™ automatic in-camera sub-exposure stacking
• Regulated two-stage cooling with delta ~ -30C
• SmartCooling™ active temperature regulation to 0.1 degrees C for high calibration stability
• Integrated 8-Position Filter Wheel with LRGB + Halpha, OIII, and SII filters, plus an opaque filter for dark frames
• Compatible with SBIG StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guiding camera
• Supports AO-8A adaptive optics unit via StarChaser SC-2
• MaxIm LT control software
• Multiplatform software API and sample code available

Third-Generation CMOS Image Sensor

The STC-7 represents a major step forward in imaging technology, utilizing the SONY IMX-428 CMOS imaging sensor.  Compared to our venerable STF-8300 CCD cameras, the STC-7 has higher sensitivity, lower read noise, and much faster readout.  It produces extremely clean images with few hot pixels.

Due to the extremely low read noise and fast readout, the STC-7 is best used with shorter sub-exposures than for comparable CCD cameras.  A typical sub-exposure will be only 30-60 seconds, versus 5-10 minutes, while still achieving the same or better noise performance and overall dynamic range after stacking.  This has many advantages including the ability to take unguided exposures without trailing.  It can also be used for lunar and planetary imaging at high resolution, given its high sensitivity, wide exposure range, and fast readout.

The STC-7 is compatible with most common telescopes, such as those having a focal length of 600 to 2500 mm. The camera’s pixel size is optimal for scopes from 1000 to 1600mm under good seeing conditions. Common refractors and small SCT scopes with focal reducer/field flatteners are well suited. Longer focal lengths can be used for lunar and planetary imaging.

Sensor Specifications:

• SONY IMX428 CMOS imaging sensor
• 3208 x 2200 pixels / 7.1 megapixel
• 4.5 micron pixels
• 17.6 mm diagonal
• Peak QE 78%
• Typical QE:
  • Red (635-700 nm) ~ 63%
  • Green (520-560 nm) ~ 78%
  • Blue (450-490 nm) ~ 75%
• 12-bit A/D conversion with low-gain and high-gain modes
• Very low read noise ~ 2.5e-
• Very low dark current 0.1 e-/pixel/sec typical @ -5C
• 80 dB dynamic range

The STC-7 supports several optional gain modes:

• Low Gain
  • 12-bit data
  • Gain 5.5 e-/ADU
  • Full Well ~ 22,500 e-
  • Read Noise ~5 e-
• Medium Gain
  • 12-bit data
  • Gain 2.45 e-/ADU
  • Full Well ~ 10,000 e-
  • Read Noise ~ 2.3 e-
• High Gain
  • 12-bit data
  • Gain 1.2 e-/ADU
  • Full Well ~ 5,000 e-
  • Read Noise ~ 1.9 e-

Stack Pro™

The STC-7 scientific CMOS camera features Stack Pro™, a revolutionary feature that performs image stacking inside the camera.

While the IMX428 sensor has dynamic range on a par with its CCD predecessor, it is limited to 12 bit data (0-4095).  At the same time it also has far lower read noise, which means you can stack many more shorter exposures without degrading signal-to-noise ratio.  As great as this sounds it does result in a lot of extra disk usage and post-processing.

Stack Pro™ performs the stacking automatically, inside the camera.  It automatically subdivides your exposure into up to 16 individual sub-exposures, and stacks them inside the camera prior to download.  This eliminates the excessive amounts of data cluttering up your hard drive.

As an example, by stacking 16 sub-exposures inside the camera you can get:

• Low Gain 16X Stacking
  • 16-bit data
  • Gain 5.5 e-/ADU
  • Effective Full Well ~ 360,000 e-
  • Read Noise ~20 e-
• Medium Gain 16X Stacking
  • 16-bit data
  • Gain 2.45 e-/ADU
  • Effective Full Well ~ 160,000 e-
  • Read Noise ~ 9.2 e-
• High Gain 16X Stacking
  • 16-bit data
  • Gain 1.2 e-/ADU
  • Effective Full Well ~ 80,000 e-
  • Read Noise ~ 7.6 e-

For comparison, our STF-8300M CCD camera sports typical read noise of 9.3 e-, with a full well depth of 25,000 e-.  In the medium gain 16X stack mode, the STC-7 has similar read noise and yet has over six times the dynamic range!

Complete Imaging System

The SBIG STC-7 astronomy camera is a complete imaging system – just add telescope!  The system includes:—

• STC-7 monochrome camera
• Built-in 8-position filter wheel
• Includes Luminance, Red, Green, and Blue (LRGB) filters
• Includes Hydrogen Alpha (Ha), Sulfur-II (SII) and Oxygen-III (OIII) narrowband filters
• One filter slot operates as a bias/dark frame shutter for precise image calibration, which can be replaced with an extra filter if needed
• MaxIm LT imaging and processing software, which can be upgraded to MaxIm DL Pro

Integrated Filter Wheel

The innovative integrated filter wheel is extremely compact, minimizing overall package size and back focus requirements.  The wheel accommodates 25.4 mm round, 2 mm thick optical filters.

Integrated Filter Wheel with Retaining Plate Removed

 

Rectangular masks built into the wheel helps prevent stray light from contaminating your images, producing the highest possible contrast. Filter installation is very easy — simply remove the screws fastening the molded retention plate, drop in the filters, and reattach the plate.  The molded retention plate firmly but gently holds the filters in place, eliminating any chance of damage.  An included opaque filter blank is automatically selected by the camera whenever a dark frame is requested.  If dark frames are not needed it can optionally be swapped out for an eighth filter (not included).

Included Optical Filters

A complete set of 25.4 mm round imaging filters is included:

• Luminance (L)
• Red (R)
• Green (G)
• Blue (B)
• Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) – 656.3 nm, bandwidth 6.5 nm
• Sulphur II (SII) – 672.4 nm, bandwidth 6.5 nm
• Oxygen III (OIII)  – 500.7 nm, bandwidth 6.5 nm
• Opaque “filter” (anodized aluminum) for dark frames

Spectral response for LRGB filters is as follows:

 

Advanced Software Included

All SBIG cameras come with our MaxIm LT software – a $249 value!  MaxIm LT is a special version of our venerable MaxIm DL software that provides complete control of your camera, filter wheel, and autoguider, plus advanced image processing capabilities.  If you wish you can upgrade to MaxIm DL Pro to get complete observatory integration and even more processing and analysis capabilities.

Optional Accessories

• Compatible with StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guide camera (recommend using ACC18 Spacer)
  • Tip:  Purchase the STC-7 Pro Pack to get everything you need for self-guiding at a lower price
• Compatible with AO-8A adaptive optics unit (requires StarChaser SC-2)

Package Includes

• SBIG STC-7 monochrome imaging camera
• Integrated 8-position filter wheel with L, R, G, B, Ha, OIII, SII filters plus opaque filter for dark frames
• T-Thread mount
• 2″ Nosepiece adapter
• Universal power supply
• USB 3.0 cable
• MaxIm LT software
• USB stick for software and manuals
• Deluxe carrying case

Specifications

A/D Converter	12-bit
Adaptive Optics Option	AO-8A via StarChaser SC-2
Sensor Size	14.4 mm X 9.9 mm
Computer Interface	USB 3.0
Cooling Delta	30 °C
Dark Current e-/p/s	typical 0.1 e-/p/s at -5C
Exposure	0.001 – 3600 seconds
Filter Wheel Option	Built-in 8 position wheel including a set of seven 25.4 mm round 2 mm thick filters, and an optical blank
Full Frame Download	90 ms typical
Imaging Sensor	IMX428
Imaging / Pixel Array	3208 x 2200 pixels
OAG Option	StarChaser SC-2
Peak QE	78% typical
Pixel Size	4.5 x 4.5 micron
Power	12VDC, 4A max
Read Noise (typ)	1.9 e- High Gain, 2.5 e- Med Gain, 5 e- Low Gain
Temperature Regulation	Yes
Total Pixels	7.1 megapixel
Shutter	Global Shutter (electronic), Opaque Slot on Filter Wheel for Dark Frames
Weight	2 lbs
Binning Modes	1×1, 2×2
OS Compatibility	Windows 7, 8, 10 x86/x64, MacOS 10.14 “Mojave” x86 binaries, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS x64, Raspbian Buster armhf, Ubuntu MATE arm64