Which camera for Planetary Imaging?

[icytailmark]

im looking at buying my first camera for Planet imaging. I wanted to buy the Flea 3 GIGE but they are taking so long to release it. Anyone got any suggestions on other camera options? I havent imaged before but im really good with computers.

[BlackWidow]

I would suggest a philips sc900nc webcam for planet shots. They have been the standard for a long time. Used with Registax software they give very good results and are very cost effective.


Regards
Martin

[graphworlok]

Most planets are relatively bright, but small - many webcams will give a reasonable image with some minor modifications. I have had reasonable results with a Logitech C600 webcam - it has adjustable gain and other features, and is 2MP, but doesn't have auto focus to drive the price up. It still is quite expensive though - $70 or so.

[iceman]

Hi Mark
What scope will you use it with?

[icytailmark]

i use a celestron C14 on a losmandy G11. However im currently in the process of building a Pier.

[asimov]

The Philips & Logitech's with give reasonable results however the next step up would be a flea3 or an imaging source camera. Depends on how seriously you want to take planet imaging.

I have 3 philips cams & 2 imaging source cams. There's no way I'd drop back to a Philips except to relive old times.

[Poita]

Any comparison shots of what you get through the phillips webcams vs through the imaging source cameras?

The new imaging source cameras have similar specs to the Flea3, are they out yet?

[icytailmark]

im looking at the imaging source DMK 21AF04.AS instead of the Flea 3 camera.

[iceman]

Starting with monochrome is a tough ask if you're new to planetary imaging. Playing around with filters at capture time, and then processing 3x as much, can be a real pain in the butt.

I'd start with the DFK colour camera - it's much easier to get going and get the bug, get the handle on capture and processing, and move to monochrome later.

[Paul Haese]

You have got a serious scope so why not a serious imaging setup? Do you want to do monochrome and have you had any experience with it in the past? If so this is a piece of cake really. If not maybe consider a colour camera with a high download rate to start with. Though if you want to do Mono, then look at electronic filter wheel. It makes it a little easier during imaging.

[Poita]

You could start with a DFK colour, then if mono attracts you, sell it and go mono. The DFK cameras are in demand, so you won't lose much cash when you sell it. They go pretty fast second hand.

[icytailmark]

think ill go for a colour camera till i get some experience with imaging then switch to a good mono camera maybe in a couple of years.

[Poita]

If you get tired of it, I'll probably be in line to buy it off you :lol:

[icytailmark]

anyone know a place to buy the DFK usb colour camera in australia? Will i need to buy a electric focuser if im new to imaging?

[iceman]

Bintel sell the DFK's, Mark. I think telescopes-astronomy do as well.

You don't *need* an electric focuser. It always helps, but it's not absolutely essential.

It's obviously helpful for 2 reasons:
1. You don't need to touch the scope, so you don't wobble the scope and make the image bounce around
2. It's more accurate because you can move it in tiny increments.

I just use a cheap Orion Accufocus on my 12" dob.

[Paul Haese]

I don't agree about the focusor. I think electronic focusors are essential, especially when dealing with high f ratios and focal lengths and that combined with an SCT. Just touching an SCT on a pier at high res and trying to focus it on a screen is an exercise in frustration. Choice is yours but I would be thinking saving myself that frustration.

[asimov]

I think you really do have to look at your seeing & general overall conditions, as to whether or not you would bother going RGB imaging. I get better success from using my DBK for various reasons, over the mono DMK imager. I'm not saying the DBK gives better results - I'm saying I get MORE imaging done with it.

As for focusing - I've got the electric JMI but I use it manually. I don't find it frustrating to use at all. I focus, wait 2 secs for things to settle down, refocus etc. etc. I was weened on manual focus & I'm therefore good at it.

As for going a DFK - It has the factory fitted IR/UV cut filter. I'd rather add my own screw-on Baader filter so I'll wait for the DBK release. I've seen iffy results with the DFK.....Ask Lester, a member here.

[icytailmark]

if i were to buy the DBK colour camera could i watch the planet on the computer screen instead of looking through the eyepiece and zoom in etc?

John are you talking about this camera? Would you put an IR filter on the camera for objects like venus and saturn?

http://www.astronomycameras.com/en/products/usb-cameras/color/dbk21au618as/

[asimov]

That's the new 618 chipped DBK Mark. Note it doesn't come with a factory fitted IR filter & so you can add your own filter of *assumed better* quality. I have the same cam only it has the old sensor in it.

I think an IR/UV cut filter is mandatory on a one shot colour cam. Without one you'll get colour bleeding & find it hard to get good focus, especially on low alt targets. I have a filtered versus non filtered image of mars somewhere, if I find it I'll post it.

Yep, you sure can watch a planet on the screen in real time with any of these camera's. Sometimes I get that mesmorized by it all I forget I'm out there to capture data!:lol: In good seeing I think viewing a planet onscreen is even better than through an EP.

[asimov]

Found the image.

Not a good example as far as images go, but the point here is to show you the effects with & without an IR/UV cut filter.

Non filtered on the left of course.

[icytailmark]

is it possible to turn off the RGB on a colour camera and use own RGB filters?

[asimov]

No.

[icytailmark]

i was just comparing CCD cameras with the 618 Sony Chip.

DFK 21AG618.AS GIGE camera from Imaging Source FPS is 60.

FL3-GE-
03S1M/C-C Flea 3 from PGR FPS is 120 FPS

they are both the same camera specs but from two different companies. My question is someone not telling the truth or what?

[iceman]

It's not the chip which dictates the frame rate. The chip just collects the light - you want a sensitive chip, low noise etc.

It'd be the chipset and other internals in the camera which would dictate the FPS it can capture at.

It's unlikely you'd find anyone doing 120FPS with the Flea3. Maybe on a small ROI but most use 30 or 60fps.

[frolinmod]

The Flea3 is Firewire 800, twice as fast as regular Firewire, so maybe that makes the difference?