Wanted - filter wheel

[matt]

OK.

I've already got the DMK mono firewire cam, so it's time to get this baby crankin' out the colour images.

So, before I spend my money overseas or buying new, I'm wondering whether anyone has a filter wheel they'd be happy to sell?

Can be manual or motorised:)

PMs please.

[Merlin66]

Check out Bill Vorce on his telescope warehouse site on ebay. He had some Apogee wheels complete with filters last year at a great price, about us$60 complete.

[matt]

Never heard of him or his site, but thanks anyway Merlin.

For the time being, I'm restricting my search to IIS members who might have a wheel or slide they're looking to sell.

Cheers

[matt]

Anyone????

A manual filter wheel would be just as good as a motorised.:)

I guess it's overseas then?

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

I purchased an SBIG CFW-8A Filter Wheel mainly for use with my SBIG ST7 CCD camera, but with a secondary intention to also use it for the DMK.

If you want a motorised Filter Wheel and you do come across a used CFW-8 that you are interested in, make sure it is the CFW-8A variant that has the IR coated filters. If you do find a CFW-8A at an acceptable price, also consider the following:

As standard, it cannot be used as a stand alone filter wheel, as it depends on power and logic control signals from the ST7 CCD camera and the camera control software CCDSoft. I understand that the free CCDOps program from SBIG at http://www.sbig.com/sbwhtmls/online.htm will also control the CFW-8A but again, the filter wheel needs to be attached to an SBIG ST series camera for it to work.

However, I have made a home made cable/power adapter based on the design information at the Maxim website at:
http://www.cyanogen.com/products/maxim_faq_fil.htm#controlusingparap ort

This was easy to do and cost me around $15 for all the bits and pieces. This gives you the ability to operate the CFW-8A independent from the ST7 CCD camera. However, you then still require software to control the filter wheel.

I happen to have Maxim DL which can control the filter wheel, but if you were to purchase Maxim, it would cost around US $449…gulp!

However, I also found a program written by a German Amateur Astronomer which purports to control the CFW-8A as a stand alone filter wheel, although as yet, I haven’t installed and used it. Here is the link:

http://astrolab.utopiaplanitia.de/php/template.php?lang=de&page=software

Your PC will require a real Parallel connector for the CFW-8A to be connected to, as I understand that some USB to Parallel adapters do not work?

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Gawd!!!

That all sounds very techo to me:scared:

Thanks for your help, though, Dennis. As always, fantastic help and advice.

I might be better off going down the Iceman path and getting a manual Atik. Only $200 and look like they do the job.

I know Damian Peach also uses a manual slider.

I think the SBIG might be a bit beyond me both technologically and financially at this stage. One for the future, though.

So it's manual filter wheel and Astronomik T2c LRGB filters, I reckon.

Unless someone can advise a better option which won't be too taxing for my limited techo savvy?

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

My description probably reads a lot worse than it actually is, although I shouldn't speak too soon as I haven't used the German guy's program yet!

The True Technology (http://www.trutek-uk.com/)Filter Wheel was another option I considered, but in the end it was too pricey (approx $1700 with adapters, etc.) compared to a 2nd hand CFW-8A from across the pond (GaryB).

If I didn’t already have the SBIG ST7 CCD camera, I would have probably gone down the path of a manual filter wheel too, as a low cost introduction to tri-colour imaging. If I then liked it, and I mean a lot, I would have upgraded to a motorized filter wheel.

I’m finding the “drag the gear out” and “set it up” tasks somewhat daunting at the moment, as I don’t have a permanent observatory and the more equipment you acquire, the longer it takes to set up, configure, calibrate, etc.

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Amen to that Dennis. I hear ya, mate

[gbeal]

Another to look out for Matt me old mate is the Homeyer, a very good wheel, and simple serial control.

[matt]

Yeah. I've heard of those, Gaz.

Who sells 'em?

Do they come up very often 2nd hand?

Cheers