user guide - centralds · 2019. 8. 5. · centralds astro z6 user guide introduction astro z6 is a...

CENTRALDS ASTRO Z6 USER GUIDE

Astro Z6

User Guide

Version1.00

June2019

PAGE / CENTRALDS1 11


Contents

* ThankyouforpurchasingaCentralDSproduct.

Astro Z6 1

User Guide 1

Version 1.00 1

June 2019 1

Introduction 3

Informations of product 3

Camera usages 3

Package contents 3

Camera operation and responsibility 4

Handling precaution 5

Nomenclature 6

Taking Pictures 6

You can operate the camera with the following instruction. 6

Using with Telescope 6

Characteristics of the modification 8

Safety of the User and the Camera 9

Product Warranty 10

Astro Z6 system Chart 11



Introduction Astro Z6 is a cooled camera that modified Z6 of Nikon.We took out the image sensor from the inside of camera body and attached a TEC cooling module on to it and made it to a high performance Astronomical cooled camera.The image sensor can be cooled maximum -18℃( ± 2℃) below ambient by the installed TEC cooling module.

Informationsofproduct＊Cool down the temperature of CMOS sensor 18 Celsius degree(±2℃) from that of ambient air.＊Absolutely high-Quality image in B-shutter use compared with usual unmodified DSLR＊Realtime Monitoring of the cooling temperature by digital thermometer

＊Drop-in filter system＊Use of high efficiency Thermo electric cooler module＊Power: 12V, 1.0A DC＊Low Pass Filter Removed.＊Optimal design by 3D CAD modelling＊Precision manufacturing by CNC machine＊Perfect tuning of optical axis of CMOS sensor by 3 point alignment＊Permanent Anti-dew system applied.＊Hoya MC Clear Filter Installed* Internal Silent cooling fan installed* Live-view Focus function alive.＊Disabled function:Low

Pass Filter, Mechanical shutter, Sensor Cleaning, Body to Lens communication(AF, Aperture Control), Image Stabilization ＊Net weight: 1,050g

CamerausagesYouwillgetusedtothiscameraandunderstandthecamerabetterwhilereadingthismanualandtakingtestimages.Pleaseread‘Handlingcaution’and‘Safetyoftheuserandthecamera‘thoroughlytopreventanyaccidentsordamagestothecamera.

PackagecontentsPAGE / CENTRALDS3 11


Pleasecheckfollowingdevicesandaccessoriesareallincludedinthepackage.

Ifanythingismissing,pleasecontactCentralDSorthedealerthatyoupurchasedfrom.1. AstroZ6(CooledZ6)body 2. FRM72/BaseAdapter(M72x0.75mmpitchMaleThread) 3. CM2C/Drop-InFiltersystem+CanonEFMount,or(CM2N/Drop-InFiltersystem+NikonFMount) 4. DFH48/48mm(2”)FilterHolder(*52mmFilterthreadincluded) 5. FR1/FieldRotator(M72x0.75mmpitchMaleThread) 6. ECR48/AdapterforWideTthread(M42x0.75mmPitchFemaleThread) 7. ECR54/AdapterforTakahashiTelescope(M54x0.75mmPitchMaleThread) 8. DTH-1/DigitalThermometer 9. CT18/ThermometerCable 10. PS1204/DCpowersupplyforTECcooler 11. PSEC1/DCextensionpowercable(5.5mm/2.1mmBarrel) 12. PSC1/CigarJack12VPowerCable 13. PSCA1/AC100-240VToDC12V5AAdapterPowerSupply

CameraoperationandresponsibilityYou can record the images to the storage(XQDMemoryCard) of this camera.CentralDSwill not beresponsible for any inconvenience or loss due to failure of storing images to XQD Memory Card ordefectiveimagesstoredinthecard.

Youcanusethiscameraforpersonaluseanywhereintheworld.



Handlingprecaution•This camera is a high precision device. Please do not drop and avoid any physical impact againstcamera.

•Ifyoudropthecamerainwater,wipeoffanywaterdropletsfromthecamerawithadryclothandcontactCentralDS([email protected])

•Donotleavethecameraunderthedirectsunlight.Hightemperaturecandamagethecamera.•Donotdisassemblethecamera.•Do not touch Parallelism Alignment Screws (3 pieces ofM4headlessscrews)onthebeneathofFRM72.

•If the Parallelism Alignment Screws were adjusted bypersonnelnotauthorizedbyCentralDS,thewarrantywillbevoided.

•Pleaseuseadustblowertoremovedustsonthefilter.•Do not disassemble the filter. If the airtight sealing isdamaged,dewcanforminsidethecamera.

•If the camera is disassembled by personnel notauthorized by CentralDS, the warranty will bevoided.

•Thiscameraisnotwaterproof.Donotleavethecamera attached to a telescope with [ coolingsystemoff]forlongtime.Dewcanformonthesurfaceofthecameraandthiscandamagethecamera.**

•Ifcondensationformsonthecamera,donotusethecamera.•Ifthecameraissuddenlybroughtinfromthecoldintoawarmroom,condensationmayformonthecameraandinternalparts.Topreventcondensation,firstputthecamerainasealedplasticbagandletitadjusttothewarmertemperaturebeforetakingitoutofthebag.

•Store the camera in a sealed containerwith desiccants (i.e.Silica gel) or cool, dry,well ventilatedlocation.

•Imagesensordust–CentralDStestseachcamerawithtestexposurestochecktheimagesensorisdust free before shipping.However about2 –4%of the customer reported dusts on the imagesensor. If you see marks on your image due to the dusts on the image sensor, please contactCentralDSforservicing.Donotdisassemblethecameratocleanthedusts.

•Cautionwiththecoolingsystemactivated–theTECcoolingsystemfortheimagesensorisdesignedto emit substantial amounts of heat to outside. This does not cause any problem on the cameraoperationbutaminorburncanbecaused ifskin iscontactedwiththecoolingsystemforextendedperiodtime.


mailto:[email protected]


Nomenclature

Taking Pictures Youcanoperatethecamerawiththefollowinginstruction.

UsingwithTelescope1. AttachfirmlythecameratoTelescopeusingFR1+ECR48orECR54.

2. InsertaFilterinDrop-InFilterHolder.(**veryimportanttomaintainBackFocusDistance)3. ConnectTECpowercables(PS1204)andtemperaturesensorcable(CT18).4. ConectDC12VtoPS1204.5. InsertLi-ionBattery(EN-EL15b)toZ6batteryslot.PowerOnNikonZ6Body.6. ChecktheworkingofZ6camerabodyandcoolingmodule.

7. Check the cooling temperature. Within 7~10minutes the temperature of CMOS will drop tomaximumcooledtemperature.



8. Using[Liveview]modeofcamerafindthesubjectandadjustthefocus.

9. Taketheshots.

* CoolingModule of Astro Z6 has no ON/OFF switch.When you connect the DC power to coolingmodule,TECcoolingbecomeONatthesametime.

* Astro Z6 has no Temperature controller. When cooling get reach to stable condition the CMOStemperaturewillbeit’smaximumcoolingstate.

*PS1204isaDCstepdownadapterforTECmoduleandit’sadjustedformaximumcoolingperformanceofheatsinkandcoolingfan.PleasedonotuseDCpowersupplyofothercompanies.

*Back FocusDistance ofAstroZ6 is44mm(CM2C: forCanonMount) /46.5mm(CM2N: forNikonMount),ThesearesametoCanonEF-mountorNikonF-mount,andadjustedattheconditionof2mmthicknessglass filter installedat thedrop-in filter holder. If you take theshotswith thecamera lens, incaseofnofilterindrop-infilterholder,infinityfocusingerrorwillbeoccurred.Werecommendtoinstallafilter(2~3mmthickness)intodrop-infilterholderalways.(Recommendedfilters:HoyaMCClear,BaaderUV/IRcut,IDASLPSP2etc)

*IncaseofBaader2”filters,youcanuseonlyLowProfileFilterCell(LPFC)products.*TECcoolingmodule ismoreefficientwhen theambient temperature ishighbut theefficiency is lowerwhen the temperature is low in thewinter. This is due to the electricity consumption per temperaturecharacteristicsofthePeltierelementswhichisoneofthemostimportantpartsintheTECcoolingmodule.Asaresult,thecooledimagesensortemperaturemaynotreachtomaxcoolingtemperatureof[productinformation]inthewinterseason.

*Thecamera temperature showing inBackyardEOSorotherAstro imagingprograms isnot theactualsensor temperature but the temperature at the temperature sensor installed on the PCB circuit boardplacedbehindtheimagesensor.**ThetemperaturevaluedisplayedatDTH-1isfromthetemperatureoncoldfingerandit’sneartorealCMOStemperatureandthetemperaturethatAstro imagingprograms isdisplaying(fromcamera’sexifdata)isabout3-7Chigherthanthisvalue.*Ifthecameraisexposedtotheairoutsidewiththecoolingmoduleoffforextendedperiodoftime,thecameracanbeinternallydamagedduetoproblemssuchasshortcircuitscausedbycondensation.

*Ifyouhavetoleavethecameraoutsideforextendedperiodoftime,coverthecamerawiththedewshieldcoverassoonasturningoffthecooler.



Characteristics of the modification •Astro Z6 is modified versions of Nikon’s general purpose Mirror-less cameras.SomeoforiginalfeaturesofNikoncamerawereremovedandnewfeaturessuchasTEC cooling and Drop-In filter holder System are added for high qualityastrophotography.Followingsarethedifferencesmadebythemodification.

1. LowPassFilteroforiginalCMOSsensorwasremoved.2. InAstroZ6HoyaClearfilterinstalled,andimageblurring

can occur due to chromatic aberration on IR lightsrecorded on the sensor so the image sharpness cansuffer.Thisismorepronouncedintheimagestakenwithrefraction optics than reflection optics. We recommendyou to install inDrop-In filterholderUV/IRcut filter, lightpollution filteranddeepsky filterat thesame timewhileimaging.MostAstronomicalfilterscutIRlightandwillhelptoremoveIRhaloorblurring.

3. With Astro Z6, you can take IR images bymounting avisiblelightblocking/infraredtransmittingfiltersuchasaHoyaR72filter.

4. Various 2” imaging filters or 52mm filters can bemountedintheDrop-Infilterholder(DFH48).



5. Drop-InFiltersystemofCM2C/CM2Ndoesnothavethelenscommunicationelectriccontactpointssotheautofocus,lensinformationrecordingandpulsesignaltransferformotoroperationwhicharebased on the communication between the camera body and the lens are disabled even when aCameralensisused.

6. IncaseofDrop-InFiltersystemofCM2C/CM2Nyoualwayshavetofocuslensesmanually.Somelenses need power from the body formanual focusing and you cannot focus these lenses evenmanuallywhentheyaremountedonAstroZ6.

7. ElectricViewFinderisaliveasbeforemodification.8. Inmechanicalshuttermode,ShutterspeedcontrolofAstroZ6isnotvalidinsub-secondexposure,

only valid in Bulb Shuttermode. But in [Silent photography]modeON, you can take photo in allshutterspeed.

SafetyoftheUserandtheCameraFollow these safeguards and use the equipment properly to prevent injury andequipmentdamage.

1. Donot leavethepoweradapterandthepowercordnearanobjectemittingheat.Thiscancausefireduetodeformationanddamageoftheinsulator.

2. Donotusethecameranearinflammablegas.3. Iftheinternalpartsofthecameraareexposedafterthecameraisdroppedorthecamerahousingis

damaged,donotconnectthepowertothecameraduetodangerofanelectricshock.4. Donotdisassemblethecamera.Itcancauseanelectricshock.5. Keepthecamerafromthereachofsmallchildren.6. Donotusetheequipmentindustyorhumidplaces.Thisistopreventfireandelectricalshock.7. Do not use the camera with medical equipments. The electromagnetic interference can cause

malfunctionofthemedicalequipments.8. Topreventfireandelectricalshock,followthesafeguardsbelow:

• Alwaysinsertthepowerplugallthewayin.

• Donothandleapowerplugwithwethands.

• Donotexcessivelybendthecord.

• Donotputaheavyobjectonthepoweradapterandcord.

• Donotconnecttoomanypowerplugstothesamepoweroutlet.

• Donotuseacordwhoseinsulationhasbeendamaged.

• Ifthesurroundingnearthepoweroutletisdustyorhumid,thepoweroutletcanbeshortcircuited.Cleananddrythesurroundingbeforeusingtheequipment.

• Donotusethecamerainsideacarunderthehotsun,underthedirectsunlightornearaheatsource.Thecameracanbedamagedorcausesskinburns.

• Donotusepaintthinner,benzene,acetoneorotherorganicsolventstocleantheequipment.Doingsomaycausefireorahealthhazard.



ProductWarrantyCentralDSProvides1yearproductwarrantyforcustomerswhopurchasesbrandnewAstroZ6. Incaseof[Usersuppliedcameramodificationservice],CentralDSoffers60daysproductwarranty.



AstroZ6systemChart


user guide - centralds · 2019. 8. 5. · centralds astro z6 user guide introduction astro z6 is a...

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