Hi,



I recently received an Apogee Alta U16M on loan. This is the first of the super-large format cameras using the 52 mm diagonal (4096 x 4096 x 9 micron) sensors I have received for evaluation. Here is a link to my current observations:

http://www.hiddenloft.com/notes/apogee/u16m.htm

I will update this report from time to time with new data as available.



I believe the sensors used in these cameras represent the next generation of sensor performance with minimal micro-lens artifacts, low dark current and excellent anti-blooming sensitivity. Even though their array size will be a challenge for many optical systems, even sub-framed these cameras offer significant advantages over the current popular large format camera based primarily on the KAI11002ME sensor and, to a lesser extent, the KAF6303E.



I hope to receive evaluation units from other manufacturers in the future. As I do, I will report on them.



I have also explored some concepts concerning camera cooler set point and its impact on SNR. This is a work in progress but I thought I would share it now:

http://www.hiddenloft.com/notes/CCDtemp.pdf



I hope this gives you some perspectives on these next generation of CCD cameras for astro-imaging and is helpful.