Electrophysics Astroscope Night Vision Modules For Canon EF - Canon EOS Technoclopedia

The Electrophysics AstroScope is an add-on module mounting between your camera and lens to supply night vision to the camera's sensor with a light amplification equivalent of approx. 8-10 F-stops. Using the system does not result in any positive or negative magnification, the magnification is 1:1. Resolutions of up to 450 TV lines can be achieved. The units are powered via lens mount (0.3mW/50mA).
 
The complete system consists of the AstroScope shell, which devides into a front lens part - the so-called Front Lens Adapter (FLA) - and a rear body part - the so-called Back Body Adapter (BBA), which simply screw into each other, and a Central Intensifier Unit to be inserted into the AstroScope shell. The CIUs actually do the optical job within the module. AstroScopes support 35mm full frame format and full electronic control of the lens through the body as well as image stabilization. In 2004 a lens element in the Back Body Adapters was replaced against an F1.3 element to improve the edge to edge sharpness.
 
 
The following parts & packages are available:
 
  • AstroScope 9350EOS-FF: Full Frame adapter for Canon EOS (AstroScope delivers APS-C format)
  • AstroScope 9350EOS-P (≤2000 - today): pair of Back Body (BBA) and Front Lens Adapters (FLA) for Canon EF, one full shell
  • supports auto gain only
  • size: 63.5 x 101.6mm
  • weight: 540g
  • AstroScope 9350EOS-3-PRO: complete set containing the 9350EOS-P and one of the Gen III CIUs (see below)

  • AstroScope 9350EOS-PV (2009 - today): Pair of Back Body and Front Lens Adapters (full shell)
  • supports auto & manual gain (requires a CIU supporting variable gain as well)
  • size: 63.5 x 101.6mm
  • weight: 510g (early years' samples might be 30g more)
  • AstroScope 9350EOS-3V-PRO: 9350EOS-PV and one of the Gen III CIUs

  • AstroScope L200F1.4-E (2003 - 2004): should be a set of 9350EOS-N (a BBA differing from EOS-P it seems) and L200F1.4, a Front Lens Adapter containing a 200mm F3.5 Mirror lens
  • refer to System Cameras > Still Lenses C/EF > Other Brands/Electrophysics for more details about the lens

  • AstroScope 9350XL-P: Pair of Back Body and Front Lens Adapters (full shell)
  • supports auto gain only
  • size: 70 x 112mm
  • weight: 545g
  • AstroScope 9350XL-3-PRO: contains the full set made up of 9350XL-P and one of the Gen III CIUs
  • 9350XL does not support the Canon XL-EOS Adapter (use 9350EOS-P with the adapter instead)
  • both the 2005's the 2011's XL brochure only list the Gen III Aviation, Pinnacle and Omni IV CIUs as options - not sure why

  • AstroScope 9350XL-V
  • supports auto & manual gain (requires a CIU supporting variable gain as well)

  • PocketScope 9350
  • available as a stand-alone unit or as addon for the AstroScopes above - as a stand-alone it uses C mount lenses, but it's BBA can also be used with the EOS FLA to mount EF lenses

Electrophysics Central Intensifier Units (CIUs):
 
  • Gen III Commercial CIU [9350CIU3-C] (≤2000 - 2004)
  • 1st generation "commercial" grade model
  • Gen II+ Premium CIU [9350CIU2-P] (≤2000 - 2005)
  • 1st generation "popular" model with "resolution and performance above average"
  • Gen III Surveillance CIU [9350CIU3-S] (≤2000 - 2006)
  • 1st generation "high grade" model with "great sensitivity, good resolution and contrast"
  • Gen III Premium CIU [9350CIU3-P] (≤2000 - 2006)
  • 1st generation superior grade model with "exceptional sensitivity, great resolution and contrast"
  • Gen II+ Extra CIU [9350CIU2-E] (≤2000 - 2005)
  • 1st generation top quality model with "excellent resolution and sensitivity"
  • Gen III FOM CIU [9350CIU3-F-1250] (2005 - 2007 & 2009 - 2014)
  • 2nd generation military grade CIU (non-autogated)
  • export version of the GEN III Omni IV (shipping permitted to all countries not currently embargoed)
  • was listed from 2005 until early 2007, then disappeared and was re-listed in 2009 being a new model according to the US support
  • #9350CIU3-FV-1250 is the variable gain version (2011 - 2012)
  • sensitivity: 1350µA/lm
  • center resolution: 64lp/mm
  • luminous gain: 40000fL/fc
  • signal-to-noise: 19.4
  • Gen III FOM/Intl/Export CIU [9350CIU3-F-1400] (2012 - today)
  • 3rd generation (military grade?... looks like a successor of the FOM 1250 above)
  • shipping permitted to all countries not currently embargoed)
  • #9350CIU3-FV-1400 is the variable gain version
  • Gen III FOM/Intl/Export CIU [9350CIU3-F-1600] (2005-2007 + 2009 - today)
  • 2nd generation military grade CIU (non-autogated)
  • export version of the GEN III Omni IV (shipping permitted to NATO countries only)
  • was listed from 2005 until early 2007, then disappeared and was re-listed in 2009 being a new model according to the US support
  • #9350CIU3-FV-1600 is the variable gain version
  • center resolution: 64lp/mm
  • luminous gain: 40000fL/fc
  • signal-to-noise: 24
  • Gen III Omni IV CIU [9350CIU3-IV] (≤2000 - today)
  • 1st generation military grade CIU, standard US consumer model - the right choice for all matters ordinary in military terms
  • #9350CIU3V-IV is the variable gain version
  • Gen III Omni VI/Aviation CIU [9350CIU3-A] (2005 - today)
  • 2nd generation military grade CIU (autogated), high performance model
  • not to be sold outside the US, specifications not publicly available due to US governmental/military restrictions
  • #9350CIU3-FV-1400 is the variable gain version
  • Gen III Omni VI/Pinnacle CIU [9350CIU3-N] (2005 - today)
  • 2nd generation military grade CIU (autogated), state-of-the-art top model
  • not to be sold outside the US, specifications not publicly available due to US governmental/military restrictions
  • #9350CIU3-FV-1400 is the variable gain version
  • Gen IV CIU [9350CIU4] (2002 - 2003)
  • signal to noise ratio:
  • resolution (lp/mm):
  • sensitivity (µA/lm):
  • gain (cd/m²/lx or fL/fc):
  • maximum output brightness (cd/m² or fL):
  • background illumination (EBI, µlux):
 
Pricing:
 
  • as of 2009-11 prices started at 9100$ for the EOS-P model, EOS-PV was 10100$
  • as of 2010-06 the 9350EOS-3-Pro set sold by Adorama for 6100$ (on backorder in 2012-10)
  • as of 2012-10 few 9350EOS-3V-PRO sets w/ Gen III Pinnacle CIU appeared at Amazon as Morovision MVPA-915006G for 8500$
  • as of 2017-12 the 9350EOS-3-Pro set sold by Adorama for 7500$

Note: A huge part of information about the AstroScope evolution until ~2009 was revived from files stored by Archive.org. The oldest site version stored there dates back to 2000. I can't find sources older than that, which might probably prove, that the system is indeed older than 2000. However. The CIUs' model names contain the Gen II/Gen III/Gen IV identifiers while in the description I sometimes even contrarily call them 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation. Here is why: The Gen II CIUs are based on 1970's image intensifiers technology, where Na-Ka-Sb-Cs multialkali photocathodes and the use of micro-channel plates allow for a sensitivity of about 230 µA/lm. Gen III CIUs' technology is from the 1990's, where GaAs-CsO-AlGaAs photocathodes are used, which allow for even higher sensitivity of about 900 µA/lm and greater NIR range response from 800 up to 950nm. Gen IV CIU standard is the latest available development step from 2002. The terms "1st, 2nd, 3rd generation CIU" instead refer to Electrophysics' CIU model history. Check the Wikipedia article on image intensifiers in case that's way too basic for you ;).
The Electrophysics AstroLasers are external lighting devices incorporating a laser, a kind of NIR speedlite. It allows photography of scenes covered in total darkness. The required amount of minimum illumination to shoot without illuminator will a bit depend on your camera's lowlight capabilities, but at the end no light is no light (image intensifiers amplify existing light, so they won't see anything without at least a tiny bit of light).
 
Electrophysics AstroLaser 9900 (2003 - 2008):
 
  • illuminant: 830nm (±20nm) NIR laser class 3b (IEC-60825-1)
  • ill. power: 20mW (±5mW)
  • coverage: 50 - 2000mm focal length (feat. push-pull zoom construction)
  • power supply: 2x AA cells
  • size: 127 x 25.4mm
  • weight: 255g

Electrophysics AstroLaser Beam Extender 9900-BE (2005 - 2007):
 
  • a beam extender for AstroLaser...

Electrophysics AstroLaser ALS-20 (2003 - 2009):
 
  • illuminant: 810nm (±2nm) NIR laser class 1 (IEC-60825-1) | optional: 850nm or 950nm
  • ill. power: 20W
  • coverage: 20° x 20°| optional: 10°, 15°, 25°, ... 75° or 80°
  • range: about 600m, 60700m² (with the standard reflector)
  • power supply: 12V 7A DC
  • size: 406 x 305 x 254mm
  • weight: 8165g

Electrophysics AstroLaser ALS-20M (2009):
 
  • illuminant: 810nm (±2nm) NIR laser class 1 (IEC-60825-1) | optional: 850nm or 950nm
  • ill. power: 15W
  • coverage: 20° x 10° | optional: 10°, 15°, 25°, ... 75° or 80°
  • range: 300m, 20235m² (with the standard reflector)
  • power supply: 12V 5A DC
  • size: 254 x 165 x 152mm
  • weight: 1588g

Electrophysics AstroLaser ALS-40 (2009 - 2012):
 
  • illuminant: 810nm (±2nm) NIR laser class 1 (IEC-60825-1) | optional: 850nm or 950nm
  • ill. power: 35W
  • coverage: 20° x 10° | optional: 10°, 15°, 25°, ... 75° or 80°
  • range: about 600m, 60700m² (with the standard reflector)
  • power supply: 12V 7A DC
  • size: 407 x 305 x 254mm
  • weight: 8165g

Online Resources:
 
 

Sensors Unlimited Warrior SWIR Enhancer & Night Vision Modules For Canon EOS Cameras

The Sensors Unlimited Warrior C2S (2014 - 2016) - quite similar to the Electrophysics AstroScope - mounts between camera and lens, while, being equipped with a Canon EF lens mount at the front and Canon EF bayonet at it's rear end, the lens control stays in full charge of the camera. And that's it about the similarities, since the Warrior C2S doesn't use CIUs. It converts a standard SLR camera into a Short Wave IR imager. The unit allows to look through clouds of dust, smoke and haze as well as it allows to take photographs in almost complete darkness. The resulting pictures are therefor not colored in the green/black, but in the IR typical white/black.
 
The units incorporate a 640HSX InGaAs array with a resolution of 640 x 512 px and a pixel pitch of 25µm for recording (that's 16 x 12.8 mm), and an 800 x 600 px SVGA display at the rear, that serves as relay display to be photo-captured by the camera's sensor.
 
Warrior C2S Features:
 
  • SWIR range: 0.7 - 1.7µm
  • power supply: 3x CR123A, will last for approx. 4h of continuous operation
  • compatibility: has been tested with Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Mark III cameras
    (I don't see a reason, why it shouldn't work with other Canon EOS models as well. At least the focal plane distance is identical. The only limitation will be the crop factor of APS-C and APS-H sized sensors.)

Export: The products above and below as well are listed in the U.S. Munitions List USML-XII (c) and thus limited to export restrictions.
The Sensors Unlimited Warrior GEM system (2015) is the successor of the C2S. It consists of two modules - the basic GEM III that provides night vision capabilities and the GEM G2S as an upgrade plug-in to provide the additional SWIR imaging. The G2S uses the same sensor as the C2S.
 
GEM III Specs:
 
  • image intensifier: Gen III
  • power: ?, will last for approx. 40h of continuous operation
  • size: 130 x 86 x 84mm
  • weight: 635g
  • accessories: detachable picatinny rail

GEM G2S Specs:
 
  • SWIR range: 0.9 to 1.7 μm
  • power: batteries, will last for approx. 3h of continuous operation
  • size: 102 x 84 x 79mm
  • weight: 680g (incl. battery)
  • compatibility: has been tested with Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Mark III cameras
    (I don't see a reason, why it shouldn't work with other Canon EOS models as well. At least the focal plane distance is identical. The only limitation will be the crop factor of APS-C and APS-H sized sensors.)
The Sensors Unlimited Warrior Illuminator [2014] is an external LWIR lighting device, invisible to the naked eye or to thermal imagers, that mounts directly into the hotshoe of the camera. It allows photography of scenes covered by total darkness.
 
Features:
 
  • illuminant: 1550nm LWIR laser, class 4
  • ill. power: about 1.3W
  • beam divergence: 2°
  • power supply: batteries, will last for approx. 2.5 hours
  • size: 163 x 71 x 61 mm
  • weight: 450g

Online Resources: