cameras for planetary imaging

Neil · #1 18-06-2014, 08:47 PM

G'Day everyone, I'm looking for opinions on the best type and brands of cameras you are or have used for Planetary Imaging.I'm currently using an Orion Starshoot3MP which I'm very happy with, but I;m sure there are probably better performing types and brands. If this has already been covered in another thread, I apologize, thanks.

samgibbs (Sam) · #2 19-06-2014, 06:01 AM

Hello Neil

I am not sure if you have heard of the legendary Damian Peach.
http://www.damianpeach.com/
His site has some great info on the cameras he uses...the results speak for themselves.

I used the Phillips TouCam pro with great results. Sadly it doesn't work any more and i am also on the market for the next upgrade.
I have heard good things about FLI instruments too.
http://www.flicamera.com/

JB80 (Jarrod) · #3 20-06-2014, 12:08 AM

The ZWO ASI120mm/mc or the QHY5l-ii cameras seem to be the best bang for the buck cameras around at the moment.

I just picked up an ASI120mm for planetary but have only used it on solar work as of yet.

Paul Haese · #4 20-06-2014, 07:08 AM

I second the ZWO120 cameras. Also the new Celestron cameras are good too.

bratislav (Bratislav) · #5 20-06-2014, 08:56 AM

ZWO seems to be developing an even faster, USB3 version of ASI120. I've seen reports of well over 300 fps on Mars! (ROI was used, but still unheard of)

Up to this point it was a tossup between QHY5L-II and ASI120, after this I would definitely give a nod to ZWO.

Draco (Niv) · #6 20-06-2014, 09:41 AM

On the other side of the discussion spectrum

what cameras are good for DSOs? The cooled cameras like Atik are too expensive for me .. are there any sub $AU500 cameras that are good for planetary and DSO with maybe cooling capabilities but if they can hold an exposure for at least 60s and not have too much corruption to the image, it will suit me just fine

Merlin66 (Ken) · #7 20-06-2014, 09:48 AM

Niv,
Different challenge - different solution...
There no one camera that fits both bills...either a video type (multiple frames, stacking etc) for lunar planetary or a large cooled chip (mono preferred for resolution) for "pretty pictures"
Such is life...........

Draco (Niv) · #8 20-06-2014, 09:50 AM

Ken

If only I had money to buy these high priced toys .. if only

rustigsmed (Russell) · #9 20-06-2014, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco

On the other side of the discussion spectrum

what cameras are good for DSOs? The cooled cameras like Atik are too expensive for me .. are there any sub $AU500 cameras that are good for planetary and DSO with maybe cooling capabilities but if they can hold an exposure for at least 60s and not have too much corruption to the image, it will suit me just fine

Hi Draco - with that budget i'd look into getting a DSLR for DSOs. they can also do ok planetary but not in the same league as the ZWO etc listed below.

Camelopardalis (Dunk) · #10 20-06-2014, 10:26 AM

+1 for QHY5L-ii or ZWO120, they seem to use the same sensor. I've been really enjoying my QHY, although my Saturn results are a bit lacklustre...with a bigger budget, I'd probably look for something a bit more sensitive.

Neil · #11 20-06-2014, 11:15 PM

Thanks everyone for your informative replies. I'm also curious about what you use to process your images? I've been using Registax10-1

JB80 (Jarrod) · #12 20-06-2014, 11:49 PM

As far as a planetary stacker goes you can't really go past AS!2(autostakkert) http://www.autostakkert.com/
it's free and very good. Registax is quite good too and some may even say it's wavelets are better. Personally I use both but then again I'm not as accomplished as others.

Shiraz (Ray) · #13 21-06-2014, 10:27 AM

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...&highlight=618
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...&highlight=618
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...&highlight=618

might be useful reading.

Eden (Brett) · #14 21-06-2014, 10:37 AM

I've used both the QHY5L-II and Atik Titan for planetary work. The 5L-II is good in that it can do high-fps video if you want to grab heaps of frames per second. The Titan is lower resolution and although it has a high readout speed, doesn't support video but it's active cooling means considerably less noise.

Cheers,
Brett

Paul Haese · #15 22-06-2014, 11:35 AM

Neil for planetary imaging I use

AS!2 for stacking

Astra Image for deconvolution and assembling of data

Photoshop CS 6 for final colour balance etc.

Click here for my planetary image gallery. I was slack this year with planetary work, but previous years speak a lot.

Neil · #16 23-06-2014, 08:57 PM

Again thanks for the replies. Very impressive Paul, your images are spectacular! I clearly have a lot to learn. Paul, what is your Planetary imaging set -up? It's a winner.

Paul Haese · #17 24-06-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Again thanks for the replies. Very impressive Paul, your images are spectacular! I clearly have a lot to learn. Paul, what is your Planetary imaging set -up? It's a winner.

Peltier cooled C14, mono camera and filter wheel.

The_Cat (Jeremy) · #18 24-06-2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Peltier cooled C14, mono camera and filter wheel.

What Mr. Haese leaves out of planetary imaging discussions is his intimate and deep understanding of the natural conditions that contribute to the obtaining of excellent images.

Jeremy.

Neil · #19 24-06-2014, 10:17 PM

Yeah I thought there was more to it , is any one else getting this wind? Don't worry about blowing the dog off a chain, THE chains gone to.

Camelopardalis (Dunk) · #20 25-06-2014, 10:07 AM

I just look at the "seeing" forecast and if it looks decent ('7' for Sydney!) then I'll give it a go!

If, when you plug the camera in, the image is just a blob jumping all over the place, then it's probably not going to be a good night

On the other hand, I've had a couple of nights with Mars where the dark features were readily discernible on screen.

Equipment...capturing...processing. ..it's all part of the fun