Canon DSLR is known for its direct and intuitive user interface design, which is an optimal tool for amateur astronomers to acquire the Astro images with its excellent color rendering on low-light imaging with low noise than other comparable models available.

Especially 5D Mark III is a top of the line camera that carries a full-frame image sensor. It is a great model with the most reduced noise while supporting the astonishing ISO 102,800 which is 32 times of the standard ISO 3,200. It is indeed Cannon technology’s flagship model with the engineered high-quality camera shielding, the improved image sensor technology, and the great noise removal algorithms through the up-to-date Digic5+ image processor.

CentralDS expended the feature sets of Canon 5D Mark III and re-envisioned as CDS-5D to accommodate its high performance with extreme low-light imaging condition.

Disassembly of 5D mark III/ Reconstruction      Learn more  >
Cooled 5D markII / CDS-5D Compared        Lean more  >
CDS-600D / CDS-5D Compared      Learn more   >
Dark Frame Compared      Learn more   >

CDS-5D was developed with the following three concepts in mind for professional astrophotography camera should be.

1. An astronomical camera with simple interchangeable filter system

2. An accurate cooling temperature control

3. A full frame camera with maximum cooling performance

Specifictions

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1.One touch 2″ drop-in filter holder

In order to prevent dew formations on image sensor, Hoya MC clear filer is used to seal the chamber to block outside air.

Also developed Drop-In Filter Holder between the space where clear filter and lens mount ring are resided in. Drop-in filter accepts filter with size 48mm or 52mm.

For instance, On CDS-600D, screw type was used to hold and change filters so in order to change filter and the screw type holder had to be detached and re-attached each time from OTA and lens which makes bit of tediousness on changing different filter.

CDS-5D’s improved filter mounting system allows a user to simply drop-in their filters while attached with lens or OTA. Since a filter goes in between Lens and imaging sensor, it’s possible to combine various optical systems with little efforts. A user is able to composite visible/infrared channels, Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) and Narrow Band channels easily where previously difficult to achieve.

Recommended filters: UV/IR cut, R72, RGB color filters, Ha pass filter, Narrow band Ha, HB, SII, Light pollution filter etc.

2.3 point alignment on mount ring

An image sensor requires an exact perpendicular alignment to its optical axis to maintain preciseness, and an un-modified camera has three fixed support on its mirror box against CMOS frame to support and maintain its axis. CDS-5D incorporates an adjustable ring in between the sealed chamber and lens mount ring for easy adjustment of misalignment changes like those similar method found in reflective mirror cell where user only need three knobs adjustment for connecting alignment. Adjusting ring for optical axis in an event of harsh condition also does not require disassembling of the mounting ring, and the ring itself is composed of high rigidity stainless steel that is not effected by varying temperature conditions.

3.Integrated sealed sensor chamber and camera housing

On Astro60D and Cooled 5D Mark II model’s modifications where it has separated camera housing and the chamber, it may have imposes on change of an accurate optical axis in the event where strong external force was applied to the sealed chamber and camera housing.

On CDS-600D, we have significantly increased the structural integrity of the body by combining a sealed chamber with the camera housing though, it also created a large internal space where it required Molecular Sieve desiccant to prevent condensation formation as part of solution.

This structural principle of CDS-6000D was improved in CDS-5D while still keeping the integrated sealed chamber and housing structure by making the smaller sized sealed chamber to embrace only the CMOS but not requiring a separate drying formation to prevent the internal condensation. This method is considered a stable and complete condensation prevention concept and allows the improved prevention power for the optical axis change.

4.2 Stage TEC Cooler

In order to increase cooling performance for the CDS-5D, upgraded Peltier Module with 2-stage Qmax with 65Watts and DTmax with 80 ° C  are installed,   unlike most other CentralDS’ Cooled DSLR where single stage Qmax/36Watts, DTmax = 71 ° C Peltier Modules were used.

5.High efficiency heat sink and cooling fan

Other deciding factors of cooling performances are the heat-sink and cooling fans. Although there are several large size heat-sink units available in the market, most of them use heat pipe to maintain its varying temperatures, which is not appropriate for Astro-Imaging camera due to its big phase difference because they lead to the big difference in the cooling performance.

CDS-5D adopted the high-efficiency, high-density aluminum 90x90mm Skiving fin heat sink. This is the largest heat-sink that is being used on all CDS models and it covers the biggest heatproof area.

The high efficiency silent cooling fan that supplies the constant air flow to the heat-sink is the 92mm cooling fan from an Austrian company Noctua, who is well known by the outstanding blade design empowering the silent and vibration free high-performance.

6.Timer Release & Wifi SD Memory

CDS-5D comes with the pre-installed 16GB Wi-Fi SD memory from Transcend. To achieve the Stand Alone capability, CDS-5D supports standard Canon Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3 in a way it can be used to control CDS-5D without PC connectivity. Once a picture is taken using TC-80N3, the files can be then viewed on your laptop or any smart devices via Wi-Fi connection. Also, the installed SD card is replaceable as needed.

7.Finder hole

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DSLR comes with Pentaprism equipped optical finder to help a user to capture objects in desired frames with little efforts. However when using a camera lens for CDS-600D modified for astro-imaging purpose, we have noticed a bit of challenges with the precise pointing of an object on the frame due to the lack of a finder. This got improved in CDS-5D by additionally installing the finder hole and enabled to easily capture the desired objects even at night.

8.3-inch direct focusing adapter

CDS-600D uses a 2-inch nose piece to be connected to a telescope, but the much heavier CDS-5D uses 3-inch direct focusing adapter to withstand its weight and stability. A 72mm thread were used to hold connector between a camera and an adapter to secure its optical axis and rigidity with OTA.

9.PID Temperature controller

In order to control the temperature of the CMOS sensor, CentralDS has developed a DTC-3 controller that manages electronic current output for Peltier module to control temperature. DTC-3 is high performance external controller device with the accuracy of +0.5~-0.5°C and is designed for easy use as well.  DTC-3 controller is included as standard item for CDS-5D and is designed to reach desired temperature at the shortest time possible. By enabling a user to control the temperature in detail with accuracy, a user can save the effort of taking the dark frame pictures every single time and can easily produce a high quality astro-image picture because a user can easily adjust the dark frame on the pictures taken previously at each temperature.

10. X-ray Views and Dimensions

Disassembly of 5D mark III/ Reconstruction      Learn more  >
Cooled 5D markII / CDS-5D Compared        Lean more  >
CDS-600D / CDS-5D Compared      Learn more   >
Dark Image Compared      Learn more   >