Nikon D5500 modification.

[xelasnave]

I know it's expensive and I don't think I will do it myself.
I can now run two rigs and hope it will work something like this..I gather data from both scopes and combine the data using Registar.
I have a ZWO 1600 mono which I will probably use with the 115mm refractor and on the eight inch...either a one shot colour or the Nikon modded.
Given a OSC will cost around $1500 upwards then an expensive mod to the Nikon actually involves less outlay.

Who to go to???? is my first question.

My second is if you were faced with a similar proposition what way do you think you would go.

One shot colour can come with cooling ...so I wonder..
There are times I think get another mono but that doubles outlay...
Alex

[Imme]

OSC is great.....as is cooling.

I have an old asi1600 OSC which is a great (easy) camera that works an absolute treat.

I'd be going cooled OSC and keep the Nikon as your 'daytime' camera

[xelasnave]

Thanks Jon.
Alex

[glend]

Well I am biased towards the ASI1600MM-C and the TS115 as that was my primary imaging setup. However, my Nikon D5300 (same sensor as the 5500), is a good OSC camera and was used on my MN190 without vignetting. Personally I would not mod the D5500, for these reasons:

1. It will cost you, or if you do it yourself you risk the camera.
2. Filter mod will likely ruin normal daylight use for other things.
3. It still would not be cooled, well not without sending it off to Central DS and spending what it would cost to buy a good CMOS cooled OSC astro camera.

I say these things having years of Canon mods under my belt, including cold finger cooled models.

Keep in mind that the Nikon cam be a pretty good winter camera, without cooling.
Just my 2 cents

[xelasnave]

Thanks Glen ..
Alex

[casstony]

If you don't mind the extra effort to use the cooled cameras you're probably better off staying with those. I enjoy my full spectrum D5600 and have no intention of going to a cooled camera, but my average winter and summer low's are 3 degrees and 6 degrees respectively lower than Tabulam. We get quite a few frosts as well.

On the other hand if you want the simplicity of a dslr the D5500 will still do well for much of the year, but it costs about $500 to pay Camera Clinic in Melbourne for the conversion. I did mine myself using the Lifepixel guide: https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials/life-pixel-nikon-d5500-diy-digital-infrared-conversion-tutorial

The procedure is fairly simple on these cameras but the parts are tiny - a bright light and some magnifying glasses which fit onto your reading glasses are handy. I just removed the filter from the d5600 and didn't replace it with anything.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Tony.
Alex