ccd cameras

[Neil]

G,day everyone;does anyone have a Orion Starshoot Pro V2 Deep Space Colour Imager or a Orion Parsec 8300C CCD Camera? Or can anyone give a critique on these two cameras? I would be very interested to hear any opinions, thanks in advance,Neil.

[Neil]

Does,nt anyone know anything about these two imagers? even bad reviews are better than none at all.If they,re too bad to critique, perhaps somebody could recomend something else!

[Mighty_oz]

Ok first we need to know what u intend to do with the camera ?
Planet/moon type or deepsky, also what telescope and mount ?
After this u can get a better idea as to what suits u better. I have a similar ccd to the 8300 and u can look at the deepsky section there for some images, it's also the same as the qhy9.

Marcus.

[Visionoz]

Hi Neil

I've got an older model V1 of the Starshoot OSC - like its genre with the chip it seems to work pretty much as one would expect from a Sony; ie no darks required most of the time) - just using this for practice atm because I have a G2 11000 mono & G2 4000 coming soon

I think that the V2 has better TEC control whereas the V1 had TEC but was not adjustable - it seems this CCD is similar to the discontinued QHY8 - I might be wrong and others will let you know if that's the case

See the test shot here (https://picasaweb.google.com/107087176302811897119/AstroPixs#5601689920267310882) I did a couple of months back

I like its format and shape of the housing as it is well balanced at the rear end of the OTA - very easy to use - I use Nebulosity & Maxim DL5 with it

HTH
Cheers

[Neil]

Thanks Marcus and Bill for your informative replies,my intentions are to use these imagers for deep sky,I have two setups, SC12'" equotorially mounted and a apo 127 the same type of mounting.So Bill your leaning towards the v2, andMarcus your CCD is similar to the 8300 which you are happy with,? Thanks fellas for your responces.

[Visionoz]

Neil

I was just "cutting my teeth" on the V1 for getting the workflow in using a CCD imager (I still have my astro-modded EOS 40D & 5DmkII) - bought the V1 here in IIS "used" - and wouldn't mind getting a V2 (the V1s are no longer produced) except that I had ordered the Moravian Mono CCDs recently for LRGB/and/or NB imaging - when our dollar was strong last couple of weeks ago I weakened and bought the two CCDs to suit my various OTAs that I use - since my obs is about ready I'm anxiously waiting for their arrival - probably SWMBO will kill me when she finds out soon with the credit card statement aro 21st of this month!!:scared:

I think you'll find the V2 good value for the money for the genre of this kind of CCD chip sensor

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[Neil]

Thanks Bill, sorry for late reply, i,ve been away.

[rogerg]

The Orion 8300 was recently reviewed by the Astro Photo Insight magazine. Suggest you take a read of that (subscription to be able to is cheap and worthwhile, I think).

Roger.

[OneCosmos]

Billl, you need to switch to electronic bank statements :)

[Visionoz]

SWMBO is also the CFO! :scared: ... and I survived!!;)

Cheers
Bill

[OneCosmos]

So, I think you are in need of the advanced course!