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  #1  
Old 21-01-2016, 04:13 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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ZWO Cameras, which to buy for planetary?

Looking for a planetary camera and have been eyeing off ZWO for a long time. Budget up to $500 (even second hand).

My past with planetary cameras.
- iPhone 4S
- NexImage 5

What will be next?!
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  #2  
Old 21-01-2016, 05:13 PM
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rustigsmed (Russell)
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ZWO 120mm-s plus filters?
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  #3  
Old 21-01-2016, 05:17 PM
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pdalek (Patrick)
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I have:
IS DBK21AU618
IS DMK21AU618
ZWO ASI120MM
ZWO ASI174MM-Cool

The ASI174MM-Cool is by far the best. The uncooled ASI174MM should perform similarly for planetary.
Bought both ZWO cameras direct from ZWO and delivery was very quick.

The ASI120MM outperforms the IS cameras but the usb interface can be tricky to get optimum performance. Has smaller pixels and lower price. Now used as guide camera.
The ASI174MM-Cool is, as others have said, cool. Not great for long DSO expoosures, but now my primary planetary camera. Higher price than your limit but, IMO, worth the extra.
A secondhand ASI120MM would be a good choice if price is a serious issue. Maybe a ASI120MM-S to get better usb speeds.
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  #4  
Old 21-01-2016, 05:23 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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What are prices like compared with Bintel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pdalek View Post
I have:
IS DBK21AU618
IS DMK21AU618
ZWO ASI120MM
ZWO ASI174MM-Cool

The ASI174MM-Cool is by far the best. The uncooled ASI174MM should perform similarly for planetary.
Bought both ZWO cameras direct from ZWO and delivery was very quick.

The ASI120MM outperforms the IS cameras but the usb interface can be tricky to get optimum performance. Has smaller pixels and lower price. Now used as guide camera.
The ASI174MM-Cool is, as others have said, cool. Not great for long DSO expoosures, but now my primary planetary camera. Higher price than your limit but, IMO, worth the extra.
A secondhand ASI120MM would be a good choice if price is a serious issue. Maybe a ASI120MM-S to get better usb speeds.
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  #5  
Old 21-01-2016, 05:38 PM
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pdalek (Patrick)
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Check out
http://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/
Prices are in USD.
The way AUD - USD is going ...???
Bintel prices lag exchange rates but they may not have item in stock.
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  #6  
Old 21-01-2016, 06:37 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdalek View Post
Check out
http://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/
Prices are in USD.
The way AUD - USD is going ...???
Bintel prices lag exchange rates but they may not have item in stock.
No worries, will have a look.
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  #7  
Old 21-01-2016, 07:28 PM
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Nikolas (Nik)
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zwo 224mc is THE planetary camera, better noise filter than the mono cameras.
Have a look at the ZWO site for affirmation
here are the specs:

http://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/...-3-0/asi224mc/
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  #8  
Old 21-01-2016, 08:09 PM
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pdalek (Patrick)
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ASI224MC is colour and rolling shutter.
Never had much success with either.
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  #9  
Old 21-01-2016, 08:40 PM
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Camelopardalis (Dunk)
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+1 if you can swing the extra $19 the 224 is awesome
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  #10  
Old 21-01-2016, 09:52 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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$419
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx

$519
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
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  #11  
Old 21-01-2016, 10:15 PM
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$500 + $19 = ...

The 224 is worth the extra $$$ for the leap in sensitivity and drop in noise.
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  #12  
Old 22-01-2016, 08:10 AM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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Don't mind spending the bit extra for something better.

Any other contributions?
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  #13  
Old 22-01-2016, 08:29 AM
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rustigsmed (Russell)
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well it depends if you want to go mono or osc. you lose a lot of resolution going osc. but mono you need a filter wheel and filters.
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  #14  
Old 22-01-2016, 09:31 AM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rustigsmed View Post
well it depends if you want to go mono or osc. you lose a lot of resolution going osc. but mono you need a filter wheel and filters.
Would love to go Mono so I can double up for Solar but is a bit of a pain with the filter wheels and filters.
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  #15  
Old 22-01-2016, 01:24 PM
skysailor (Peter)
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Very interesting thread - thanks Stefan - I'm following it with great interest... may be going down the same path myself very soon, I too am interested in "solar" as well as planetary, it will be interesting to see what you decide upon and see some of your early results... good luck with your project.
cheers
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  #16  
Old 22-01-2016, 03:10 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skysailor View Post
Very interesting thread - thanks Stefan - I'm following it with great interest... may be going down the same path myself very soon, I too am interested in "solar" as well as planetary, it will be interesting to see what you decide upon and see some of your early results... good luck with your project.
cheers
Thank you.

I currently use the QHY5L-II Mono for solar which gives me great results but will decide hopefully by end of tonight on what to go with.
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  #17  
Old 22-01-2016, 07:06 PM
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Regulus (Trevor)
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http://www.optcorp.com/ccd-imaging-a...l-cameras.html
Might be worth a look too Stefan. You'd have to email for shipping of course.

Trev
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  #18  
Old 22-01-2016, 07:40 PM
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Just FYI, the QHY5L-ii uses the same sensor as the ZWO 120, so those won't be an upgrade.
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  #19  
Old 22-01-2016, 09:32 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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Thank you.

Oh it's the same sensor. Won't be worth it then. Will probably get the colour version then if anything.
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  #20  
Old 22-01-2016, 11:20 PM
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Nikolas (Nik)
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Get the 224 you won't regret it.
I have it and love using it but haven't been out and about with the scope recently.
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