im looking at buying my first camera for Planet imaging. I wanted to buy the Flea 3 GIGE but they are taking so long to release it. Anyone got any suggestions on other camera options? I havent imaged before but im really good with computers.
I would suggest a philips sc900nc webcam for planet shots. They have been the standard for a long time. Used with Registax software they give very good results and are very cost effective.
Most planets are relatively bright, but small - many webcams will give a reasonable image with some minor modifications. I have had reasonable results with a Logitech C600 webcam - it has adjustable gain and other features, and is 2MP, but doesn't have auto focus to drive the price up. It still is quite expensive though - $70 or so.
The Philips & Logitech's with give reasonable results however the next step up would be a flea3 or an imaging source camera. Depends on how seriously you want to take planet imaging.
I have 3 philips cams & 2 imaging source cams. There's no way I'd drop back to a Philips except to relive old times.
Starting with monochrome is a tough ask if you're new to planetary imaging. Playing around with filters at capture time, and then processing 3x as much, can be a real pain in the butt.
I'd start with the DFK colour camera - it's much easier to get going and get the bug, get the handle on capture and processing, and move to monochrome later.
You have got a serious scope so why not a serious imaging setup? Do you want to do monochrome and have you had any experience with it in the past? If so this is a piece of cake really. If not maybe consider a colour camera with a high download rate to start with. Though if you want to do Mono, then look at electronic filter wheel. It makes it a little easier during imaging.
You could start with a DFK colour, then if mono attracts you, sell it and go mono. The DFK cameras are in demand, so you won't lose much cash when you sell it. They go pretty fast second hand.
Bintel sell the DFK's, Mark. I think telescopes-astronomy do as well.
You don't *need* an electric focuser. It always helps, but it's not absolutely essential.
It's obviously helpful for 2 reasons:
1. You don't need to touch the scope, so you don't wobble the scope and make the image bounce around
2. It's more accurate because you can move it in tiny increments.
I don't agree about the focusor. I think electronic focusors are essential, especially when dealing with high f ratios and focal lengths and that combined with an SCT. Just touching an SCT on a pier at high res and trying to focus it on a screen is an exercise in frustration. Choice is yours but I would be thinking saving myself that frustration.
I think you really do have to look at your seeing & general overall conditions, as to whether or not you would bother going RGB imaging. I get better success from using my DBK for various reasons, over the mono DMK imager. I'm not saying the DBK gives better results - I'm saying I get MORE imaging done with it.
As for focusing - I've got the electric JMI but I use it manually. I don't find it frustrating to use at all. I focus, wait 2 secs for things to settle down, refocus etc. etc. I was weened on manual focus & I'm therefore good at it.
As for going a DFK - It has the factory fitted IR/UV cut filter. I'd rather add my own screw-on Baader filter so I'll wait for the DBK release. I've seen iffy results with the DFK.....Ask Lester, a member here.
That's the new 618 chipped DBK Mark. Note it doesn't come with a factory fitted IR filter & so you can add your own filter of *assumed better* quality. I have the same cam only it has the old sensor in it.
I think an IR/UV cut filter is mandatory on a one shot colour cam. Without one you'll get colour bleeding & find it hard to get good focus, especially on low alt targets. I have a filtered versus non filtered image of mars somewhere, if I find it I'll post it.
Yep, you sure can watch a planet on the screen in real time with any of these camera's. Sometimes I get that mesmorized by it all I forget I'm out there to capture data! In good seeing I think viewing a planet onscreen is even better than through an EP.
