New Camera

[Peter.M]

I have been looking at new camera specs and decided it was finally time to retire the old QHY9. So last week I purchased a QHY268m, a new 7 pos filter wheel, a full set of Antlia filters, and a new OAG.

I was looking forward to seeing what it could do and luckily got some clear nights to test it out. I am really happy with the robust bolt through attachment system, and not having to swap out filters for narrowband.

I have some work to do with flat calibration, but other than that everything seems to be in order. I honestly think both images look similar to maybe 2 or 3 times the integration with the QHY9, I don't have any dead columns to deal with, and I am just very happy with how things are looking.

NGC253 - https://www.astrobin.com/lbwach/

Helix - https://www.astrobin.com/duesq4/

[CoolhandJo (Paul)]

NGC 253 2 hours integration time looks great.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Congrats on the new kit
Lovely image for limited data
Trott Park in Adelaide I’d imagine would be Bortle 6 skies ? If so, excellent processing to mitigate gradients and still end up with good detail and Star colour
I moved last month from using the 2600MC for 3 years to the 2600MM ( similar to QHY268M ) including 2” Antlia LRGB and NB filters and 7x 2” filter wheel.
Another learning curve

Cheers
Martin

[Ryderscope (Rodney)]

Congratulations on the new camera Peter. Looks like there will be lots of great images coming our way

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Hey Peter. Congrats on the new camera. You're all set for some spectacular imaging now judging by these two inital examples. Lovely ngc253.

I've been using the 268C for the last few years and love it (too old for the intricacies of mono imaging). With Antlia filters it performs surprisingly well from my suburban backyard. Been running at -15 for the last 6 months.

[Peter.M]

Originally Posted by Rigel003

Hey Peter. Congrats on the new camera. You're all set for some spectacular imaging now judging by these two inital examples. Lovely ngc253.

I've been using the 268C for the last few years and love it (too old for the intricacies of mono imaging). With Antlia filters it performs surprisingly well from my suburban backyard. Been running at -15 for the last 6 months.

Thanks Graeme! I am a bit late to the party, but so far the camera does seem to be the goods. The 253 came out real well, and for 15ish minutes of each colour I am super happy. I did have to play it conservative, but also, I sort of like that approach anyway.

Originally Posted by Ryderscope

Congratulations on the new camera Peter. Looks like there will be lots of great images coming our way

Thanks Rodney!

Originally Posted by Startrek

Congrats on the new kit
Lovely image for limited data
Trott Park in Adelaide I’d imagine would be Bortle 6 skies ? If so, excellent processing to mitigate gradients and still end up with good detail and Star colour
I moved last month from using the 2600MC for 3 years to the 2600MM ( similar to QHY268M ) including 2” Antlia LRGB and NB filters and 7x 2” filter wheel.
Another learning curve

Cheers
Martin

I actually didn't have too many gradients to deal with, but yes the pollution is quite bad where I am. I am looking forward to getting out somewhere dark with it at some point in the near future.

Originally Posted by CoolhandJo

NGC 253 2 hours integration time looks great.

Its insane how much you can pull out of so little!

[alpal]

Hi Peter,
excellent results with your new camera - and with so little data -
you must be really happy with it -
it's a game changer.

Imagine what it will be like if you ever get say 8 hours of integration?

cheers
Allan

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Can't wait to see what longer acquisitions will produce, congrats

[MarkInSpace (Mark)]

Which Antlia filters did you go for? 4.5nm or the 3nm?

[Peter.M]

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Peter,
excellent results with your new camera - and with so little data -
you must be really happy with it -
it's a game changer.

Imagine what it will be like if you ever get say 8 hours of integration?

cheers
Allan

Thats the next step, I have started a few bits and pieces and will probably spend 20hish on each!

Originally Posted by Nikolas

Can't wait to see what longer acquisitions will produce, congrats

Soon! Thanks

Originally Posted by MarkInSpace

Which Antlia filters did you go for? 4.5nm or the 3nm?

I went with the 3nm set, no real reasoning other than the vendor had them in a set.