Camera advice

[Hemi]

Dear members,
I would like a camera for video astronomy on az, and long exposure eq imaging. Any suggestions?

Cheers

[kittenshark]

What's your budget? ZWO cameras start under $400. They're great for video, and can do deep sky as well, especially with the cooled versions.

See http://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/products/

Then contact your local dealer so you can get Australian warranty service.

[Hemi]

Thx Kittenshark,

Just starting, so wasn't sure. I know I'd like to do both so wanted one that could do both....I like the atik infinity but it's definitely got a video bias. That sort of price range I suppose (max), needs to be cooled as long exposure eq definately an intention as well.

Cheers

[glend]

Astrophotography is a big subject with a learning curve. I would suggest reading some of the articles in the Projects & Articles subforum here on IIS.

[Hemi]

Thanks Glen,

Completely agree.....I've read a fair few of those already, and a lot of the threads, and on other boards......but it all starts with a camera right?

Threads/articles /advice seem to have a natural bias toward video or stills.....planetary or dso. I was just asking as a newbie who would like to try and learn the basics of it all what camera might be a starting point. I have some idea of what is required, and what I have....just wanted some suggestions of a cooled camera that might fit my bill.

......cheers!

[Camelopardalis]

Hemi the problem is, which camera? :lol:

Full frame DSLR? Less pricey DSLR? Astro CCD? Small chip for planetary/guiding? They all do different things well, for different prices!

It depends what you want to image :lol:

[Hemi]

Thanks Camelopardalis

Yes which camera....that's the title of the thread ;)
I have an SCT (C925 Evo) its a great scope, but by all accounts its a jack of all trades, and there are plenty of other scopes that can do one thing or another better.

So im looking for a great camera that can do most things reasonably well. Once (if ever) I decide on a particular aspect of AP then I can add or upgrade.

Cheers

[glend]

My personal view is that everyone getting into AP should start with one of the Canon APS-C sensor DSLRs. One shot colour starting out allows results in a relatively short time, but you get all the basics of framing, focusing, tracking and guiding, camera control, etc.
As far as AP starter scopes are concerned, an SCT, even with a reducer, at that focal length is going to be slower and more difficult to manage than a fast newt with a coma corrector. Imho

[JZ]

First question, do you already have a camera?
Can it be used?
Nothing cheaper than the one you already have!

Cheers,
Ross...

[Nortilus]

I have a SCT too and i have used both DSLR with Backyard EOS which is brilliant to now using a Starlight Xpress cooled CCD. depending on your budget and what targets you want to try capture should also come into consideration. If you wanna do large nebula then an SCT aint the best because of the small field of view (i cant fit even a quarter of the orion neb in my FOV). Do heaps of research...get CCDcalc (a piece of free software) and play around with different combinations of scopes and cameras to see what would suit you.

[Camelopardalis]

Yeah that was kinda deliberate, highlighting the chicken and egg situation :lol:

A C9.25 is a long focal length scope...it'll excell at taking images of many things, bar the largest that won't fit in the FOV. Imaging at f/10 is a challenge for many. Conversely, for planetary and lunar you'll want a Barlow to image at even longer focal lengths.

But the camera you would use for planetary and for DSOs are not necessarily the same thing. With a few exceptions, a DSLR isn't the best tool for planetary and a camera better suited to planetary won't be best for the larger stuff...

It's never easy!

Suffice to say, there are plenty of objects for almost any focal length. It's just knowing where to start. If you decide to go for DSOs, you'll be wanting an equatorial mount capable enough to carry for scope and camera. You can then get a small refractor and image larger things with that mount too, or even go wide wide field and use the camera with just a lens.

[Hemi]

Thanks everybody....as always!

I'm currently using a stock canon 7d, and I modded a 500d myself. I'm a bit of a conventional(?) photography nut....and my Astro results are not good enough to grace this forum yet! I'm enjoying using it for Astro and learning with it.....BUT it doesn't do EEA (video astronomy).

Cheers

[Camelopardalis]

So if you're interested in video astronomy, then look at something like the Atik Infinity or ZWO cameras...if you choose carefully it can double up as a planetary imager and guide scope for later on.

You'll want your 7D/500D for long exposure DSO imaging once you get an equatorial mount.

[Hemi]

Thanks Dunk,

Yes I was looking at the zwo asi 174 cooled.

[Howard]

Hemi, as a user of EAA for 4 years and being retired - pretty much every night its clear I try to get out. I have multiple DSLR, mirrorless, video and such cams.
As per Camel.. Naut... posts, if you already have a DSLR just get the EOS Utils/BYEOS and go have fun. If you do this, also get AstroToaster (free) which stacks, derotates, stretches, and does a good job at imaging on-the-fly in-field for EAA. DSLR will go well with your long focal length SCT. The horizontal width of the sensor is about 22mm so it behaves as if it were a 22mm eyepiece (approx).
The above is a GREAT way to get going easily. The live/stacked AT views are good but galaxies are tough live, nebs and bright stuff are great! And you can go real long if you have a GEM and want to do proper imaging trying to win NASA photo of the day! (Although many are doing 30 sec shots and AltAz and doing great with DSLR's too!)
If you just can't wait and you fork over the $ for an Infinity, you'll still have fun. I dont own one but have several acquaintances in the US who do. One bit of software controls the lot, good sensitive chip, etc and auto gets rid of hot pixels and amp glow. Also has good histogram adjustments .. easy to use! The sensor is about 8mm horizontally so it will behave (approx) like a 8mm eyepiece in your scope IE much more mag and narrower FOV.
The above is great for live view. It will give you great snaps of what you looked at during the night. If you really want to get into good imaging then I doubt you'll win NASA photo of the day with its stacked images. It is restricted to 2 mins exposure for instance. But the jury is out on this until someone tries proper imaging with it I suppose :)
If you get convinced to get a CCD'like proper imager, to 'grow into', then many are using the AstroToaster mentioned above along with the cams capture software to stack frames on the fly to do EAA/in-field live observing too. It just isn't one bit of software and there's more sliders n stuff to learn. But it will last you right thru learning, and then into using it for proper long exp imaging in the future. Don't forget its sensor will determine the mag/FOV although big pixels on really good ones affects the approximation I told you re sensor width = eyepiece mm (approx). Prob better to use Stellarium Occulars plugin to work out the FOV.
Summary ... for now I second/third/fourth the idea to go DSLR and have fun and learn. You'll be able to try EAA and also long exp (if you have GEM). You will learn which way you want to go ... EAA or imaging. Doesnt cost much either ... my 2nd hand DSLR was $350 with lens which I sold! my 2nd hand Nikon J1 (dont know of anyone else using this for EAA) cost $135. I had the laptop ... away I went.

[Hemi]

Thanks Horward for a brilliant reply, I'm going to try and have some fun with dslr and software u advised. I am itching to get that cooled zwo asi 174 and a wedge. I've had my scope for 4 months now, and havent added anything yet except for one eye piece, oh and a FR.

[amos]

I have a canon 7d and recommend it. http://thedigitalcamera.net/canon-eos-70d-vs-7d-vs-7d-mark-ii-whats-the-difference/