Review of 6303 cameras

[gregbradley]

I am interested in reviews of any camera using a 6303 chip.

I am interested in this chip and there are several cameras available with this one.

How good is this chip for astrophotography? Or is it more suited to narrowband than LRGB as its QE curve seems to peak at the Ha area
(around 65%) which is unusual but is a bit low for greens and blues (around 40-50%). The QE curve appears a bit peaky compared to other chips but it is also higher QE than most.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

I don't own one Greg, but one thing that has always put me off is that it is NABG. The sensor was at one stage made with ABG but apparently not any more. Mind you with the well depth that is present in the sensor you could well get away with 15 minute subs before blooming becomes a problem.

Steve Crouch owns one of these, so he might chime in and let you know what the sensor is like.

[gregbradley]

NABG is an issue but I think it is manageable. NABG sensors in general are more sensitive than ABG sensors due to the pathways needed for the antiblooming takes out some of the sensor area.

Not a sensor that would be good for the Pleiades or Horsehead widefield.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

True.

The beauty of this sensor though is that it is near perfect for mosaic work. Well at least that is what I have read. I did at one time contemplate getting one rather than the STL11K. In the end I wanted real estate more.

[gregbradley]

I had not heard that before. Its very even - is that the idea for perfect for mosaics?

Its an interesting issue sensitivity versus real estate. Certainly a larger FOV is the popular choice but it would depend on the type of image you want to produce.

Greg.

[Doomsayer]

Hi Greg. I own an STL6303 with a class 1 chip. Blooming can be a challenge if there is a bright field star for LRGB but it is usually manageable. Goes great on deep galaxies and narrowband of course. The 6303 chip benefits from deep cooling - I try to run my STL at minus 20 or -25C - see Richard Crisp's tests on cooling. So the STX 6303 is a well priced option given its deeper cooling than the STL and the current discounts on offer. I was keen on a Proline or Microline 6303 but these are comparatively expensive, but based on my own experience of FLI performance with my Proline it would be well worth it. Neil Fleming uses an STL6303 very successfully with an FSQ on deep narrowband. There are plenty of shots with fast ASA newtonians and 6303 chips around too.

The other chip to consider is the 16801 -possibly ideal if your telescope has the covering ability- the 16801 is the NABG version of the 16803 - higher QE than the 6303 and the 16803 - not sure about well depth. However, a much more expensive option than the 6303 or the 16803.

guy

[gregbradley]

Thanks for that Guy.

16801 is very expensive, a Proline with that is around $20K. You are nearly at those 96%QE back thinned E2V sensors at that price.

STX, Microline, Proline are similarly priced. STX main advantage is self guiding. It seems electronics and cooling are similar with STX as well.
Provision for a 2nd guider if using a guide scope is an edge for STX.

I haven't heard anything about the artificial star STX guiding yet.
Perhaps that never eventuated.

Greg.

[cventer]

Greg, The differential guiding with artificial star was demonstrated at the recent AIC conf in usa same time sbig announced the STF-8300. They say they have it working now. They give some detail about it in the video floating from Mike Barber

[Doomsayer]

STX, Microline, Proline are similarly priced. STX main advantage is self guiding. It seems electronics and cooling are similar with STX as well.
Provision for a 2nd guider if using a guide scope is an edge for STX.


The STX6303 class2 is being advertised for US7995. The FLI 6303s have gone down in price since the last time I looked - interesting..

[gregbradley]

Thanks Chris.

Snake Valley cancelled due to weather?



Yeah now you mention it. They used to be US$8000 + as I recall.

[cventer]

Cancelled no. but forecast is way too dodgy for me to bother packing up all my stuff tonight. Will re avaluate tomorrow night.