Omegon Camera veTEC 455 C Color

Omegon Camera veTEC 455 C Color: cooled full-frame camera with 61 megapixels

The veTEC 455 C is the heaviest model in the series. The Sony IMX455 measures 36 by 24 mm and has 61 megapixels with a pixel size of 3.76 micrometers. This combines a full-frame field of view with a resolution normally found in much smaller sensors.

In practice, that means: wide-field captures of nebula complexes without a mosaic, while still having enough detail to later make a crop that stands on its own.

Sensor and resolution

The sensor counts 9568 x 6380 pixels on a 43.3 mm diagonal and reads out at 16 bits. The full well capacity is 50,000 electrons at high gain and 100,000 electrons at low gain.

The read noise is around 1.5 electrons and the quantum efficiency is around 80 percent. The sensor exhibits no amp glow, which makes calibration easier.

Cooling and dark current

A cooled sensor is the difference between a usable and an unusable five-minute exposure. Thermoelectric cooling brings the sensor well below ambient temperature and keeps it stable. This causes the dark current to drop to a level where faint nebula structures become visible above the noise.

Because you set the sensor temperature to a fixed value, dark frames remain usable over multiple nights. This saves calibration work each session.

Connect and back focus

The camera has a T2 thread with a flange focal distance of 17.5 mm. The telescope-side connection is M54. The filter thread is 2 inches. An M54 to T2 adapter is included with this camera in the bag.

With the loose 12.5 mm adapter, you reduce the flange distance, which provides space for a filter wheel or an off-axis guider in the optical train.

Rear USB hub

There are two additional USB ports on the back. You can connect a guiding camera or an electronic focuser to them, for example, so that only one cable runs to your computer.

The hub works with USB 2.0. For the camera itself, you use a USB 3.0 port on the computer, otherwise the read speed will drop.

Software and method

Control is via ASCOM or INDI, with which the camera cooperates with N.I.N.A., SharpCap, APT, and Siril. Omegon's free capture software can be downloaded.

Note: the veTEC cameras do not have an ST4 port and are not intended as an autoguider. For guiding, combine the camera with a separate guiding camera, for example from the GUIDE or veLOX series.

Included

• Camera with thermoelectric cooling
• Adapter sleeve from T2 to 2 inch
• USB 3.0 cable
• Power supply 12 V / 3 A
• Rugged transport case

Featured accessories

A full-frame sensor places demands on the optics: use a corrector that covers the full field and filters of at least 2 inches. An off-axis guider prevents flexure during long sessions.

For whom yes and for whom no

• ✓ Wide-angle shots with maximum detail rendering
• ✓ Who wants to capture large objects without a mosaic
• ✓ Astrophotographers who want to be able to crop without loss of resolution
• ✗ Optics that do not illuminate the full-frame field of view
• Those looking for an affordable entry-level option

Specifications

You can find more astrophotography accessories from this brand at the Omegon brand page.