Imaging system options help

[rustigsmed]

G'day all,

Given Melbourne's weather over the past 6 months and my lack of spare time, i've decided i really need to get a dome - looking like a skyshed pod (although will be tight with the 12" newt :sadeyes:).

With a permanent setup going mono ccd seems to make sense. I guess I'm asking for recommendations on what I should get -while my dslr knowledge is fine, i'm really at ground zero with mono cameras and the accessories that go with it (eg filter wheel, AO?, guiding solutions).

The telescope is a bintel 12" f4 with a moonlite 2.5" high res stepper focuser. I would really like to avoid having to replace the focuser...

The system would need to include a coma corrector. I have an existing lodestar guide camera but are open to all types of guiding/correction (the less i have to hang off the focuser the better). As user friendly would be a bonus.

Any advice would be great, reasonably open to price.

Cheers,

Rusty

[alpal]

My setup works but this weather is shocking.

see here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24719437@N03/8029429824/in/photostream

[rustigsmed]

Thanks for posting Allan, you've definitely got some nice results there. Is your newt f6?

Is that a 5 position filter wheel? To be honest I hadn't thought about a QHY, but more SX and SBIG, but perhaps i should be...

[alpal]

Hi Rusty,
Yes - it's an 8" f6 Newt of high quality, custom built for me.

Yes - it's a 5 position filter wheel LRGB & Ha filter loaded.
All the LRGB are truly parfocal.

There is a QHY camera result of images flickr page here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2158514@N23/pool/


If you buy the same as I have - you will be able to make it all work quickly
instead of mucking around.
You can even adjust the coma corrector spacing for your system.
Some plastic material was removed from the filter wheel to make it all fit.
Allen head screws were added to the OAG to make it tighter - otherwise it slipped.
The QHY camera is so easy to use - it's easier than a DSLR.


All we both need now is some decent weather.

[traveller]

Sorry to hijack the thread. Alan, interested in your battery box, have you written it up? It's on my list of projects.
Cheers,
Bo

[alpal]

Good - what's there to write other than what's there now?

It's just batteries & fuses.

[Lee]

A few things to consider....
back focus available to fit your imaging train into, distance needed by coma corrector, back focus of the CCD itself....
I use a Baader MPCC and an Atik 428EX CCD, an Orion filter wheel and TSOAG9 fit into the coma correctors spacing (just). This is on an 8" f/4 GSO newt, and moonlite focuser...
I would not be able to fit an AO in there anywhere.

[rustigsmed]

Thanks for the info. from the looks of it the QHY filter wheel maxes out at 5 spots? hmmm i was thinking of a bigger wheel, i just don't want to be in a position where i look back and wish i got a bigger wheel with more spots. but it is good to know that your system works :thumbsup:

[rustigsmed]

I might have to ditch the AO idea having a coma corrector then... I also hadn't considered Atik cameras! I have a TSOAG9 already, yes getting spacings and focus is what i'm worried about. thanks for the input!

[mithrandir]

Since Atik got a mention for their cameras their EFW2 (http://www.atik-cameras.com/products/info/atik-efw2) can take wheels for 5x50.8mm, 5x2” mounted, 7x36mm and 9x1.25” mounted.

[kosh]

+1 on the weather in Melbourne. Been waiting ages to try out my makeshift Autoguider :(