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Old 02-08-2006, 12:03 PM
Panotaker
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Panotaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Austin, TX USA
Posts: 5
Hello Dennis. Thanks a lot for the compliments and yes, the image was done in H-Alpha with a Schuller H-Alpha filter. My normal imaging scope is an AP-130 and the only other way I could get a shot of the Rossette with that scope was to get a more expensive camera with a bigger chip. So I took a chance and got the little Tak and it did not disappoint. I really like my SXV-H9. Before I bought it, I was looking at the ST-2000XM, which cost about the same as the H9. The only time I would recommend the ST-2000 is if you are going to use it with a scope with a moveable mirror like an SCT. The dual chip is needed for that to be able to guide through the same scope that you are shooting through. I have tried guiding my SCT with a seperate guide scope and have had no luck. There is either too much mirror flop or flexure or both. But to be fair, imaging with an SCT is still a nightmare with a dual chip camera.

If you are imaging through a refractor like I am, then you can use a seperate guide scope and autoguider and you don't need a dual chip camera. I chose the SXV-H9 over the ST-2000 because the H9 is a lot more sensative, especially when it comes to shooting H-Alpha. Plus with the H9 doesn't need to take any dark frames, so you can spend more time imaging. It doesn't need any water cooling either.

So if you really don't need a dual chip camera, then I would go for the SXV-H9. The ST-2000 has a slightly bigger chip, and both cameras take excellent pictures, but with H-Alpha, you will have to image longer with the ST-2000. If you want to save another $1000, look at the Atik 16HR, it is the same chip as the SXV-H9, except it is USB 1 instead of USB 2. Both cameras take the same identical picture with no dark frames needed.
Ralph
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