CentralDS Cameras - anyone using?

[glend (Glen)]

I noticed that CentralDS is now offering debayered (ie mono) DSLRs in their range, with a neat drop in filter switch mechanism. I just wanted to check to see if anyone has bought modified DSLR products from CentralDS and how their workmanship stacks up. Does anyone have a mono version yet?

http://www.centralds.net/cam/

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

hi glen,

I emailed them last week to ask if they had any astro images taken with the mono cams but they still haven't ... I was a bit concerned as in their information on the website they mentioned a dramatic drop in light sensitivity - most likely due to the microlens removal. Its hard to gauge how they will go with just daylight photos to compare.

They advised they expect to have some images go up this month in
their user gallery section.

although saying all that Luis has some nice results from his own modified 550d cooled mono. https://www.flickr.com/photos/374199...ream/lightbox/



Russ

[Paul Haese]

I owned one of their camera quite a few years ago now and it worked really well and gave good results. The workmanship was very good and I never had a problem with the camera. I would expect their camera's still give the same results.

[Phil Hart]

Here's a review I published on the CDS-5D:

http://philhart.com/content/cds-5d-s...-camera-review

I used a cooled 40D before that also which I gave a fair flogging and it never caused me any issues that I can recall.

Phil

[gregbradley]

Microlenses in a CCD camera increase QE a lot. So removal of the microlenses could be expected to drop QE a lot. Perhaps as much as half.

I have seen some DSLR mono images but I wouldn't get too excited about it.

You'd be way better off getting a mono CCD. For the price they want you would not be far off the cost of some of the lower cost CCDs these days.

Greg.

[John K]

Hi Glen,

Another alternative you may wish to consider if you want to stay with a DSLR is to get a second hand camera like up to a Canon 550 - or your current camera - and get in touch with Luis Campos and he can cool and mono the camera for something in the order of about 550 Euros (or there abouts - confirm with him). This might be a good compromise for you compared to getting a new Kodak 8300 type CCD chip camera which will cost twice or more than that.

Sure, CCD is better if you can afford it, but it can also cost more.

I got my camera TEC cooled by Luis who also offered to mono it - and he is a great guy to deal with - I wanted to have a OSC in my arsenal so did no mono and I am saving my mono purchase for a CMOS based chip which will double up as a planetary and deep sky camera (e.g. Zwo 174mm cooled camera).

Clear skies,

John K.

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

I have owned a cooled modded 60Da for a number of years. I bought the camera from Sydney and sent it to CentralDS for cooling Mod. I have never had a mechanical issue with the camera except when my daughter grabbed it out of the scope and it fell and broke the PSU- the Central DS people sorted it for me. Its a quite heavy mod, but cools to -1-2'c in Winter and 1-2 'c in Summer.
For simplicity of use I love it.
They were good to deal with if a bit long winded with emails etc.
Because of time constraints I actually use it more than my Mono camera at the moment.
Graham

[Octane (Humayun)]

What would it cost to get:

a) UV/IR modification done on a 5D Mark II (like the Baader modifications); or,
b) the above with a cooling modification?

H

[Octane (Humayun)]

Ignore that. Prices on site.

H

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

1st image available online from the mono cooled 60d

http://www.centralds.net/cam/?p=9235#!lightbox[auto_group1]/1/

4x5mins Ha 7nm iso 3200

[glend (Glen)]

For comparison purposes here is an image of the same area taken with a TAK 85, QSI 583 wsg
in mono HA filter, but much more data:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrop...-vd8Rst-ajFypK

[rogerg (Roger)]

Seems a bit counterintuitive to me, to modify a DSLR to be mono and be cooled Surely if you wanted ease of use single shot colour you'd go for a DSLR but if you wanted mono you'd just go for an astro camera?

[glend (Glen)]

Originally Posted by rogerg

Seems a bit counterintuitive to me, to modify a DSLR to be mono and be cooled Surely if you wanted ease of use single shot colour you'd go for a DSLR but if you wanted mono you'd just go for an astro camera?

Sure, if cost was not a factor for the equivalent chip size and pixel count..

BTW, DSLRs are astro cameras.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by glend

Sure, if cost was not a factor for the equivalent chip size and pixel count..

well, cost wise there's equivalents but sure, not in the megapixels if you're after that.

Originally Posted by glend

BTW, DSLRs are astro cameras.

Yeah of course, but what other term do you use to distinguish between a DSLR and a non-DSLR dedicated astro camera? Can't call them "CCD's" anymore, they're a mix of CCD & CMOS

[LewisM]

With the prices of good second hand CCD's - mono or OSC - going regularly for under $1500, it does seem very counter-intuitive.

I got my latest CCD for $1100 with post (an SBIG ST-8300 - no slouch of a chip).

If you just HAVE to do it, they are the best option around - heard very good reviews.

[glend (Glen)]

CentralDS got back to me on the question of whether they would debayer my 450D sensor and they will do it. Price is $350, plus shipping. I can send them just the sensor board. That would give me 12 megapixels resolution. Sample Mono photos now up on their website.

[AlexN]

I'd be keen to do it with my 450D for $350. Try and that gives me a total cost of $600 plus a few hours fiddling for a cooled 12mp mono camera. Get clip in Nb filters and I'm in action.

[AlexN]

That said I wouldn't debayer then shoot LRGB. That's silly I think. I would likely buy a 2nd dslr for shooting osc.

[glend (Glen)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

I'd be keen to do it with my 450D for $350. Try and that gives me a total cost of $600 plus a few hours fiddling for a cooled 12mp mono camera. Get clip in Nb filters and I'm in action.

That's my point Alex, I already have a cold finger full spectrum 450D that I use for OSC. I want to use my spare 450D, already full spectrum modified, as the mono camera by debayering the sensor. When I get it back i will stick a cold finger system on it and have a -25C 12 megapixel full spectrum mono camera which I can use for B&W and narrow band imaging.
I would use screw on filters so I can keep argon filling my camera to prevent condensation and frosting.

[AlexN]

That's a good plan. Because I'm doing all my imaging with a camera lens I would use my 300/2.8 for narrowband with the mono camera and get a 300/4 for the osc camera. Put them side by side on the mount. Mega data in half the time.