Hi Stephen
I used the Meade LPI to launch me into the fascinating, rewarding and challenging past time of Lunar & Planetary imaging and spent over 12 months using it before I moved up to the ToUcam 840K, where I dallied for a further 12 months or so, before finally taking the plunge and upgrading to a DMK21AF04.AS cdd camera.
This staged approach allowed me to confirm that I wanted to pursue high resolution Lunar and Planetary imaging and build up my knowledge and techniques gradually, without the major investment of jumping in with the DMK from day 1.
However, if you know that you and your pupils are going to “get into” Lunar and Planetary imaging, there is a strong case for starting off with the DMK, although it is a Black & White camera only. This is okay for the Moon, but for the Planets, requires colour filters and more advanced image processing to produce the excellent results posted by the imagers here on IIS.
Here is my quick take on each camera:
Meade LPI.- Low/Medium cost.
- Software relatively easy to use. Comes with star charts, processing software, etc.
- Colour images.
- Instant results.
- Images are relatively small in terms of file size.
- USB.
- Out-of-the-box set up, operation and instant results.
ToUcam.- Medium cost.
- Capture software e.g. K3CCDTools requires more of a learning curve.
- Colour images.
- Need to master additional processing software such as Registax.
- No instant results – image files (AVI’s) need to be processed in Registax, usually the morning after you have had time to grab some sleep.
- Image files (AVI’s) are typically 1 GB in size requiring large capacity hard discs.
- USB.
- Requires an adapter to connect the ToUcam to the focuser.
DMK21AF04.- High cost.
- Capture software IC Capture requires more of a learning curve.
- Black & White images (okay for the Moon).
- Requires the use of colour filters for colour images of the Planets.
- Need to master additional processing software such as Registax.
- No instant results – image files (AVI’s) need to be processed in Registax, usually the morning after you have had time to grab some sleep.
- Image files (AVI’s) are typically 1 GB in size requiring large capacity hard discs.
- USB.
- Requires an adapter to connect the DMK to the focuser.
- Requires a Firewire connection, although I understand a USB2 model has been launched recently.
- The colour equivalent of the DMK is the DBK21AF04.AS.
General notes:- I really liked the instant results from the LPI – I suspect this is more important that obtaining the best image quality based on processing the AVI’s from the ToUcam and DMK some time after having acquired them?
- All 3 cameras have relatively small chips and this makes it quite challenging to find objects such as the Planets, frame them and keep them on the chip – be prepared for some level of frustration.
- The Meade LPI offers the combination of ease of use, colour and instant results at the time of image capture.
- Finding and framing the Planets on the CCD chip can be quite challenging for all 3 cameras. Their chips are relatively small.
- Focusing the image is a challenging task too, and in my experience, required the same effort for each camera.
- The learning curve for operating the LPI, ToUcam (K3CCDTools) and DMK (IC Capture) are probably quite similar? Start off with the Moon – an easy and instantly rewarding target.
- I think there is a mis-match between the DMK and an undriven DOB. It’s a bit like using a Ferrari to haul hay on the farm?
- I have only ever used a German Equatorial Mount that has motor drives, making my personal experience as easy as it can get. Using an undriven DOB will require a lot of effort and patience – I suspect it will not be easy and results will be quite varied.
As always, these are the experience of one person and as we are all so very different, my findings may not match those of others. All 3 cameras will show you stunning, live images on the computer screen. The DMK will be B&W. The Meade LPI is the only one that can stack, process and finish the image in real time and display the finished results. This might be a key factor for pupils, teachers and parents who may become involved in the project?
Cheers
Dennis
PS - Whoops – forgot to say Welcome to Ice In Space!