ZWO Cameras, which to buy for planetary?

[04Stefan07]

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?!

[rustigsmed]

ZWO 120mm-s plus filters?

[pdalek]

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.

[04Stefan07]

What are prices like compared with Bintel?

[pdalek]

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.

[04Stefan07]

No worries, will have a look.

[Nikolas]

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/products/usb-3-0/asi224mc/

[pdalek]

ASI224MC is colour and rolling shutter.
Never had much success with either.

[Camelopardalis]

+1 if you can swing the extra $19 the 224 is awesome :thumbsup:

[04Stefan07]

$419
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/ZWO-Astronomy-Cameras/ZWO-ASI-120MC-S-Colour-Camera/1971/productview.aspx

$519
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/ZWO-Astronomy-Cameras/ZWO-ASI-224MC-Colour-Camera/1992/productview.aspx

[Camelopardalis]

$500 + $19 = ... :thumbsup:

The 224 is worth the extra $$$ for the leap in sensitivity and drop in noise.

[04Stefan07]

Don't mind spending the bit extra for something better.

Any other contributions?

[rustigsmed]

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.

[04Stefan07]

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.

[skysailor]

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

[04Stefan07]

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.

[Regulus]

http://www.optcorp.com/ccd-imaging-astrophotography/ccd-still-cameras.html
Might be worth a look too Stefan. You'd have to email for shipping of course.

Trev

[Camelopardalis]

Just FYI, the QHY5L-ii uses the same sensor as the ZWO 120, so those won't be an upgrade.

[04Stefan07]

Thank you.

Oh it's the same sensor. Won't be worth it then. Will probably get the colour version then if anything.

[Nikolas]

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.

[04Stefan07]

Just pulled the trigger on the 224!

Looking forward to receiving it.

Thank you for all the feedback!

[DarkArts]

Well, it's a bit late, but I recently went through this process myself, and decided ...

The 224 is a fine camera that is fairly easy to use. It works at a different image scale than the 174MM.

The 174MM, when used correctly with RGB filters, is a tad better (compared on the same targets, same 'scope, same scale, same conditions), but it takes more effort in both acquisition and processing.

Assuming an optical train that delivers a suitable image scale, for the person who wants simplicity and good performance in a OSC camera, the 224 is a good choice.

[skysailor]

Thanks for your input....much appreciated.
cheers

[04Stefan07]

Received the camera, very impressed with the build quality.

Did a quick test and successfully got 60 FPS so looking forward to using it!

[Camelopardalis]

:thumbsup:

[ADRIAN]

Hi guys

I have a celestron sct and want to do planetary shots. Can someone here recommend a ccd camera. I want a monochrome ccd and looked at zwo. Could someone please tell me about their experiences with zwo? Are they any good?

[Merlin66]

Adrian,
I've used the Imaging Source DMK series mono cameras for many years...
Recently I had the need to go for increased frame rates and decided on the ASI174MM.
This suits my f20-f25 system and so far seems to be capable.
Remember a mono will need filters etc. if you want to produce a colour image and to handle the fast frame rates you need a good USB3 connection - and plenty of fast hard drive space.

[Atmos]

Just made a quick amendment :P

[04Stefan07]

Hoping to try out the camera later tonight/early tomorrow morning since a few planets will be up.