Good cheap mono cooled camera

[Jmr (Jason)]

Looking to upgrade to mono deep space astrophotography. Can you recommend a good cheap camera I don't want to spend a fortune to get started and learn. Thought welcome

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Cheap & mono don't really go together, especially when adding on the extras you need - even "cheap" filters & a wheel will cost over $500 new.

For "cheap", the ASI183MM (or similar in other brands) is a tried & trusted performer, though starting to fall a little behind the specs of newer cameras. Watch the classifieds here & you may run across a good deal on a 183MM or 1600MM with filters/wheel

Cheers,
Mark

[Craig_]

The ASI533MM is both good, and cheap, cheap being relative to most other monochrome cameras but still, not "cheap" in absolute terms. Personally I would choose it over the 183MM, despite being a little more expensive.

[Addos (Adam)]

533mm is prob the cheapest entry point for current gen cmos. are you going to be able to live with that sensor size long term though?



if you're looking at a more 'serious' mono, touptek do the imx571 setups quite a bit cheaper than zwo and qhy.

[Peter Ward]

I'm currently testing the new and quite affordable QHY533m (for h-alpha solar imaging).

First impressions are very positive. Good QE with no amp glow. That said, you might want to move past the "cheap" price tag, as a less affordable but far more capable option won't have you regretting your decision in a remarkably short time of frustrating use with a "cheapie". (183 based sensors have significant amp glow)

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Did you find a camera??

[Jmr (Jason)]

Yes purchased new ZWO ASI 533 MC Pro awaiting delivery from WA I know its colour but cheaper and less work I think i'm the Aussie lazy geek

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Hmmm
You didn’t go for the mono?