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Ccd vs etc
jeez Peter , who took that picture ? It's amazing!
I have waxed and waned about this choice for a few years- where I live it's a royal pain trying to get LRBG data because of poor weather - which is why last year I sold my mono Ccd and concentrated on my dslr. Granted I only aim for happy snap quality but my personal experience tells me I need much more dslr data for the same quality than mono. it can be done - also using my choice of software I find it much harder to process unless I have (in my terms) reams more data . That you would expect given better SNR.
Two things I personally would be interested in doing is trying an LP filter and comparing to a cooled dslr? My cooled 60 da currently is back in Korea getting fixed so I can't compare it directly. That has the cooled advantage plus a greater Ha sensitivity but when it was working I was getting max 10- 15 degrees below ambient in summer which compares ok with the Afore mentioned older style qhy 8 but not with a more expensive Ccd.
which is why I bought another mono Ccd!
I have to say the choice of imaging in my collection is made easier with the flexibility and cheapness of dslrs, I know I can quickly set up my canon with a small lens and get a wide field shot, doing that with a Ccd is expensive and requires more than ok fix that camera here with tape type planning.
I think the qhy 8 is a great Ccd camera and even with the same sensor as the Nikon it holds it's own in intro Ccd class and has the Ccd and software advantages of " made especially for the Astro peeps" about it. ( only reason I am selling mine is I bought the big brother second hand recently!)
In my mind I think they both have pros and cons but the major con for CCDs is cost and more complicated acquisition , but having a the cooling regulated, software coming out of your ears, and narrow band options is enormously advantageous . I think getting amazing dslr pics require more data, really accurate calibration unless cooled, and pitch perfect processing. What Rowland is doing on here wide field with Dslrs is inspiring . Regulated cooling is massive here - my canon 5 d will often run to 30' c during a run, exit temp from APT.
I used to have the cool box from TS express Europe, it worked done to a delta of maybe 10'c but was ungainly, heavy and condensation was an issue. Also in the older canons when live viewing you had to change B and M settings to focus so this opened the box and let the cold air out etc etc.
Sorry for the long answer, watching the footy and home alone with the two girls as SWMBO gone out.
Graz
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