New Integrated Mono Camera

[Peter Ward]

QHY have just released a new integrated CFW including filter set + 8 megapixel mono camera at the sub $A1500 price point.

Have you been good for Santa?

Datasheet here (https://www.atscope.com.au/QHY/QHY%20Minicam8%20New%20Product%20An nouncement%20V4.pdf)

[AstroViking]

That's an interesting development. Makes me wonder why no-one else has thought of it before...

I think that will be going on the list of "things to consider buying when I get richer". :P

Thanks for posting the info about!

Cheers,
V.

[Peter Ward]

Integrated cfw+camera have actually been around since Pontius was a Pilot.
(the venerable SBIG STL is nearly 20 years old now). But this QHY offering is both a fraction of the size and price. It would be a very cost effective choice for those going from OSC to mono.

[Leo.G]

That's funny because I'd long ago hard reference of this being used in scripture classes going back to the 1950s from memory (a tale told by an old fellow I knew in the 70s).

[gregbradley]

Might make a compelling galaxy and planetary nebula camera.
Natively 12bit but QHY found a way for it to be 16 bit.
But a potential weakness.

https://www.qhyccd.com/qhy-minicam8/

Does anyone make such small filters with higher specs like Chroma or Antlia?

Greg.

[AstroViking]

Ah. I wasn't aware of those SBIG devices - I'm still relatively new to the whole hobby.

Thanks for clarifying.

Cheers,
V.

[Harro]

:)

[AstroViking]

It's now available from Sidereal.

The mono + filters version is $1600. Which, when you consider the cost of buying a cooled '585 camera and filter wheel and filters, is not totally unreasonable.

I'm curious to see some reviews of it.

Cheers,
V.

[AlexN]

Hey Peter - are you selling these throw ATS? I might have to do what I did in 2010 with the ST8300 and be the first to get one from you! I've been saying for ages that it would be awesome for someone to release a monochrome, cooled IMX585. To come in at sub A$1500 with the filterset is crazy.

[TrevorW]

ZWO have the 1600GT and 183GT both have integrated filter wheels since 2018 - QHY has several models with integrated filter wheels - although I don't think the sell that well AS SOME OF THE QHY MODELS ARE NOW DISCONTINUED - both the QHY and ZWO pricing is somewhat higher for these models-

[Peter Ward]

A quick google search will reveal all ;)

[TrevorW]

How about a APS-C size mono sensor for under $2000 - check out Touptek cameras on Aliexpress

[AlexN]

Issue with that is that you then need a 7x36 or 7x2" filter wheel...
Add ~$650

Then you need LRGB filters (assume 36mm)
Add ~$700

Then you need SHO filters (again, assuming 36mm, and you don't want garbage)
Add ~$1400

All of a sudden, that sub $2k camera cost you $4650... Sucks... because I'd love an IMX571 mono rig... but that's just a bit extreme...

[AstroViking]

The first reviews are arriving.

I watched a YouTube review by 'lukomatico' today and he was raving about how good this thing is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CEQHJGe9XI

Cuiv the Lazy Geek supposedly has a review in the works, but I haven't seen any announcements of it.

I think the mono+filter version has made it to my "upgrades I'd like to have when I'm richer" list.

Cheers,
V.