{"product_id":"player-one-apollo-428m-max-imx428-usb3-0-mono-camera-apollo-428m-max","title":"Player One Apollo 428M MAX (IMX428) USB3.0 Mono Camera (Apollo-428M MAX)","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePlayer One Apollo 428M MAX (IMX428) USB3.0 Mono Camera\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-428M-MAX-PRO-banner1.jpg?v=1752948256\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePregius Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApollo 428M MAX (IMX428) is based on Pregius 3rd Generation. IMX428 is a high resolution version of IMX432, it has 4.5um, and full well is 25Ke. But if you use BIN2 mode, IMX428 will has 9um pixel and of course the full well up to 4x (100Ke).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-428M-MAX-PRO-2s.jpg?v=1752948265\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFormat\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApollo 428M MAX (IMX428) has 1.1″ format, same as Apollo-M MAX. It is pretty big, almost twice of IMX174 chip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-series-chip-size4.png?v=1752948277\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003ePixel size\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4.5um pixel size is half of IMX432 camera, which means it will have 4X resolution than classic Apollo-M MAX camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-428M-MAX-3.png?v=1752948288\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eInteresting BIN Mode\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we know Apollo 428M MAX Pro has 4.5um pixel size, half size of Apollo-M MAX. If we use bin2, it will more like an Apollo-M MAX, and 3 conbination bin mode will have some advantages:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMONO8 hardware BIN2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emode: full well up to 4x (100Ke),  10bit ADC, FPS will up to 135FPS.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMONO16 hardware BIN2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emode: full well up to 4x (100Ke),  12bit ADC, FPS will up to 109FPS.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMONO16 Software BIN2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emode (sum mode): full well up to 4x (100Ke),  date bit depth up to 14bit, FPS will stay at 51FPS.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHCG and Noise\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHCG mode will automatic open when\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGain ≥70,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ereadout noise will drop to 2.4e. And dynamic range will rise to 12 drops again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 450 gain, readout noise of Apollo 428M MAX (IMX428) camera is 1.4e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHighlights\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew Solar Ha imaging and post-processing tutorial (Demonstrate with Apollo-M MAX)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehttps:\/\/player-one-astronomy.com\/solar-imaging-and-processing-tutorial-demonstrate-with-apollo-m-max\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNo banding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRow noise problem is a big trouble in solar imaging. When we use IMX174 or IMX178 cameras, bandings occurs sometimes. Although we can make it slight in post-processing, but it still does negative affect on the details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biggest surprise in testing Apollo 428M  MAX is, we found that images of IMX428\/432\/429 are so smooth, no annoying horizontal banding. So that, we can focus on capture details in any focal ratio, in any way ( full disk mosaic or ROI ) , never need to worry about banding issue in post-processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith global shutter,Apollo 428M MAX are very suitable for sun and space station imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRecommended accessories:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACS (Active Cooling System)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eACS is a external air-cooled system, designed for solar and big format planetary cameras which already has PCS (Passive Cooling System). ACS can provide much better temperature control. When camera has PCS + ACS, temperature is only 7℃ higher than ambient, camera body is a little warm but won’t hot! ACS is not only can be used in daylight for solar imaging, it also could be used in night for DSO lucky imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Cooling-system2_c23212d2-a9e1-4139-934a-8d5fe1eb9ed4.png?v=1752950734\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-M-MAX-PRO-ASCOM.png?v=1752951868\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe naming of Player One Astronomy cameras is unique. Solar camera line, named after Apollo, the god of the sun. The suffix of the name describes the camera’s biggest feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrivers and softwares download: http:\/\/player-one-astronomy.com\/service\/software\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManuals download: http:\/\/player-one-astronomy.com\/service\/manuals\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e2nd Gen – Sensor Tilt Plate\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen taking solar photograph with prominence telescope, the Newton ring is annoying. Smoother solar image without Newton ring could be taken by adjusting the focal plate. Get a much smaller field curvature of the telescope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe built-in high-density sponge shading pad can block the light from the side slits without any side leakage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e256M DDR3 Cache\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayer One Astronomy cameras are the first one who adpots the DDR3 cache in all planetary cameras in the world! It helps stabilize and secure data transmission, it effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces readnoise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the DDR3 cache, the camera does not have high demands on computing needs any longer, it will still has excellent performance even if it is connected to a USB 2.0 port.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDPS technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe planetary cameras from Player One Astronomy have DPS (Dead Pixel Suppression) technology. The DPS is anaylse many dark frames to find out thoes fixed abnormal pixel and record the map in camera memory. In imaging, each exposure frames, thoes position of dead pixels will be given a median value according to the active pixels around that abnormal pixel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-M-MAX-PRO-BACK-2.jpg?v=1752951796\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOvervoltage and overcurrent protection mechanism\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayer One cameras produced by the number one player ensures the safety of your camera and other equipment through overvoltage and overcurrent protection mechanisms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eData Port\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the camera is connected to the USB3.0 interface and full-resolution preview is used, it can reach 51FPS in 12bit (RAW16) and 27FPS 10bit(RAW8) mode. When recording images, since the actual writing speed will be affected by the writing speed of the hard disk itself, when the hard disk writing speed is slow, the recording may not reach the theoretical speed. It is recommended that you use a high-quality solid state drive to record data to give full play to the performance of the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse the ST4 guide cable to connect the camera and the AUTO GUIDE port of the equatorial mount to do guiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Carbon-fiber-golden-camera-cable-connection.jpg?v=1752951831\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePerformance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/IMX428-performance.png?v=1752951843\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eReadout Noise\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegarding readout noise, we solemnly promise that all values are obtained from actual tests.  And for users, you could use Sharpcap 4 for testing. SC4 has a function called Sensor Analysis, provide a very simple way to test readout noise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe wrote a tutorial on our website: https:\/\/player-one-astronomy.com\/service\/manuals\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter many rigorous readout noise tests, this camera can reach a low readout noise of 1.4e at a gain of 450.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are interested in readout noise testing, you may try it yourself, which is very simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQE Curve\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/IMX428-QE-1024x606.jpg?v=1752951888\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHCG  Mode\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo 428M MAX camera has a unique HCG mode, which will automatically turn on when the camera gain setting\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eis \u0026gt;=70\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. The HCG mode can greatly reduce the readout noise and retain the same high dynamic range as the low gain.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMechanical Drawing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-COOLED-BFL.jpg?v=1752951900\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/Apollo-M-MAX-PRO-PACKAGE.jpg?v=1752951916\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/istronomyplus.com\/pages\/player-one-warranty\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlayer One 2-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One","offers":[{"title":"Camera","offer_id":46137177604325,"sku":"POA-Apollo-428M-MAX","price":1119.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Camera + ACS","offer_id":46137177637093,"sku":"POA-Apollo-428M-MAX+ACS","price":1216.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6245\/2965\/files\/camera-apollo-428m-max-player-one.png?v=1777043458","url":"https:\/\/istronomyplus.com\/products\/player-one-apollo-428m-max-imx428-usb3-0-mono-camera-apollo-428m-max","provider":"Astronomy Plus – Telescopes \u0026 Astrophotography Canada","version":"1.0","type":"link"}