SBIG STX - First Colour Image.

[Martin Pugh]

Hello all
I posted in the equipment forum a couple of days ago that I had beta-testing an SBIG STX. The very reason why I have not published anything of late.
I used the camera together with a CFW and Baader 65mm filters from my home here at Beaver Lake, Nebraska (near Omaha). With SBIG permission I would like to share my first light colour image from this camera with the group. You might recall that one of my first images taken here was of M31 with the SBIG STL. Well, I thought I would return to this target and shoot it all over again. This time, I used synthetic luminance, but still added 6 hrs Ha.

The cold temperature test that SBIG wanted me to perform most certainly put this camera through its paces. Just a couple of nights ago, I imaged all night long at 6 degrees F (-14C), and no aspect of the camera failed at all. (It was very funny to operate the camera at -25C and watch the cooler power rise to a whopping 5%).
Image details are on the page here:
http://www.martinpughastrophotography.id.a u/STXBeta.htm
but if you would like to go straight to the full size image (4.5Mb), the direct link is:
http://www.martinpughastrophotography.id.a u/images/M31_HALRGB-STX_Full.jpg
or a 50pct version is here (1.8Mb)
http://www.martinpughastrophotography.id.a u/images/M31_HALRGB-STX_50Pct.jpg
Happy to field any questions about the camera/CFW.
thanks for looking, and I hope you like the image.

cheers

Martin Pugh

[Peter Ward]

Impressive...Very Impressive & beautifully executed Martin :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[jase]

You've got to be humbled by such a result Martin. I immediately went to the corners of the full frame....perfect stars... Nice work.:)

[bluescope]

Great job ... lovely detail right to the core ... I guess you might be buying one of the cameras especially as you are in the US ;)

:thumbsup:

[spearo]

Ohhhhhh very nice indeed!
great job
frank

[AlexN]

Beautiful in every aspect Martin! How does the camera + CFW compare weight wise to the STL-11000? I would venture a guess at saying after seeing the whooping FOV provided by the 16803 + FSQ 106, you'd be very interested in getting your hands on one! Not only more sensitive across the board, but that FOV is just stunning!!

5% power for -25c must have been interesting indeed.. Sounds like the STX fared the conditions much more admirably that I would have! :D

[telecasterguru]

Martin,

I love the sheer depth of the image.

Frank

[renormalised]

That's as close to perfect as you're probably going to get. Great piccie, Martin:D

[Paul Haese]

Superb image Martin, this camera looks like a real stunner. Might have to look at one of the smaller sensors just to compliment my imaging cameras. Wonderful colour, sharpness and squareness to the optical path.

[strongmanmike]

Now THAT"S a field of view :eyepop:

Not bad....not bad at all :thumbsup:

Mike

[AlexN]

Just think... KAF-16803 + AP Starfire 152... mwa ha ha ha haaaar!

[strongmanmike]

:prey: :prey: :prey: :prey:

I'd also like an FSQ 106

:prey: :prey: :prey: :prey:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand an Observatory

:prey:...........:rolleyes:

[marc4darkskies]

Very very nice Martin (naturally). :thumbsup::thumbsup: Wish I could swing my 150 onto this at F5.5! :(

Did you use differential or simultaneous guiding? Keen to hear how well this works.

Cheers, Marcus

[rwong]

Very nice image of M31. Look like you have already mastered the new toy.

Cheers
Reg

[zipdrive]

-25C @ 5% wow!, never used a cooled camera but that sounds very impressive.

[Martin Pugh]

Hello everyone and thanks for the posts.
First of all, the editor from Astrophotoinsight has now agreed to put my STX report into the public domain, so you can get it on the home page of the magazine now.

Marcus - differential guiding was not available in this beta unit, so it was all self-guided. This is a good thing about the SBIG STX - they have retained that second CCD.

Jase - Precise Parts did manufacture a custom adapter for me that screws right on to the FSQ OTA - 4" in diameter. I can send you a pic if you wish.

Alex - the STX/CFW combined weight is 10lbs, the STL with its 8 position filter wheel is probably 6-7 pounds or so - I have not weighed it.

Alas, while I LOVE this camera, I cant afford one because I have the FLI Proline 16803 and have just purchased over $3k's worth of Astrodon 50mm square filters for it. So it has to go back after Christmas. :mad2:

Thanks again for the comments.

cheers
Martin

[AlexN]

I figure, provided you've got a 16803 camera in the stable you should be a very happy camper indeed! Especially considering the abilities of the rest of your equipment, not to mention yourself!

[Bassnut]

Nice pic Martin, hope you get to test the fancy guiding features, after all, that really sets the SBIG apart from the FLI and is the catch for SBIG IMO (assuming you get to try long FL with the RCOS).

[gregbradley]

Wonderful result Martin.

Did you use any of the guiding features of the STX?

As Fred pointed out it would seem to be the main selling feature of the
cam.

Greg.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks Fred/Greg

No, as I said, the differential guiding feature was not available in the beta test unit - a real pity since I do have those guiding issues. So I used 'self-guided', i.e the internal tracking ccd which of course does not suffer the same fate as a guide scope.

You are right though Greg, the fact that SBIG have retained that second internal guiding ccd does set it apart - when you read my report, you will see that the very clever 'tracking ccd focus' mechanism completely resolved the elongated stars I was seeing on that guide chip.

cheers
Martin

[Ric]

Blimey that's one awesome image.

Wonderful stuff Martin.

[multiweb]

Nice toys ... and huge field. What a shot! :thumbsup: