SBIG STF-8300 arrived - yeah baby

[cventer]

Well after a very long wait my new toy finaly arrived.



I was surprised to find that the Pro package came with a large professional Pelican case that takes the camera fully assembled plus leads and accessoriers. Very nice touch. (see 2nd last pic)

Intalled unmounted 36mm filters, filter wheel and OAG last night plus got software working.

This is a very well made and put together package. The OAG is a VERY high quality unit and the design of how it mates to STF camera is very sturdy.

Enough words. Here are some pics. Not very good ones but will have to do for now.

I only have 48mm adaptors to connect this to my telescopes s I expect a little vignetting. Need to order an STF faceplate.

Will update when I get a first light.

[allan gould]

Very, very nice Chris. Enjoy and I hope it performs really well for you.

[h0ughy]

nice - LOL so whats the first target light going to be?

[cventer]

Hard to say. moon is a bit of an issue right now so something bright.

Any suggestions with FSQ ? (remembering also I image from bad light pollution)

[Mighty_oz]

Man u got to learn :) Keep with the program LOL Eta of course.

[cventer]

You read my mind. Of course Eta what else :rofl::rofl:

[gregbradley]

NGC3199.

Congrats on the new Cameras Chris.

Man, you got the gear now!

How big is that SBIG filter wheel??!!

You can use it as a boogie board when not doing astro work.

Greg.

[cventer]

Just posted up a first light image with STF.

Click here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=838535#post838535)

As mentioned in post above. Very happy with camera and OAG. Guiding with Sti and OAG is a dream. Did some narro wband stuff as well in wee hours but not processed this yet. But was nice to guide on same star in front of filters.

Cooling is about same as my ST-2000XM. Was able to do delta -35 but thats about it.

[Paul Haese]

Integration of the two units looks good, but delta cooling looks problematic to me.

[cventer]

Paul I was hoping for better cooling. Spec says -40 delta. I was proabably getting -36 and -37 at times. So not far off. The other night was hot and I was imaging at -15. 10 minute darks at -15 were surprisingly good so I am not concerned.

What I do like is the sub second download of a full 10mb frame. :D

I suspect this and QSI683 are now very similar beast with plus for QSI having slightly better cooling vs plus for STF being integrated OAG system with focal reducer and 36mm drop in filters.

[strongmanmike]

Love the photos of the gear Chris, you could pool with Greg and start your own astro shop now :)

In photo number 5, I notice a paw on the left, does this mean the 8300 is pawtable....? :P

Mike

[Paul Haese]

The cooling on mine seems pretty good at -45C easy, I might have a freak.:shrug:

The download is another matter though. For focus on the QSI the download is lightning quick but standard download of 1x1 15mb frames is about 4 seconds. Not as quick as you have mentioned.

Yes the OAG will make a huge difference for the most part. I do like this feature on the QSI and I am sure you will like it too.

[gregbradley]

That is very good performance. These are 2 great new camera products.

My FLI ML8300 does -55C (-35 to 40C all year round virtually, -45C in winter). Downloads are 1 sec 1x1 and very clean, virtually perfect.
Sealed chamber no desiccant filled with medical grade Argon, no cover slip on chip. High quality CCD window and perfectly orthogonal with no spacers or shims.

But - no guiding solutions . MMOAG works well though with Lodestar or STi or ST402ME (the best although its a bit heavier but clean as it is cooled and its about 90% QE).

On PME I refined my Polar Alignment and T-point model and now go-tos put the object in the middle of the frame at 3 metres focal length and unlimited length subs with extremely round stars.

I have to do the same with my PMX. The Sky X works a little different so I have get past the plate solve failures so I can get the automated T-point model run to go and its all good. Plus a Pempro PEC curve.


Greg.