11" RASA; DSLR or CCD?

[Star Hunter]

Just bought a new 11" RASA and currently fitting it out with a 90mm F14 MAK GS and a Lodestar.

But after reading about the weight of a DSLR on the smaller RASA's C/Plate, perhaps I should swap the C14's fastar SX M25C CCD for the RASA and use the DSLR on the 14. Decisions, decisions. What do others say?

Jim

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

You really think an astro ccd will be lighter than a DSLR? Read the specs carefully...

[Atmos (Colin)]

If you're getting a CCD something along the lines of the ASI1600MC-C or QHY8/10/12 could be good as they're basically cooled DSLR's.

[glend (Glen)]

Pick a camera that does not obstruct the light path. Most DSLRs, even small ones will increase central obstruction on RASA scopes. A camera like the ASI1600 will not obstruct much if any light. The reason that these type of astro cameras are built the way they are, in a tube, is to facilitate use on RASA type OTAs. You can buy a deep cooled colour ASI1600 for less than the cost of a good DSLR.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

..and at f/2 the ASI1600 would be even more awesome

[JA]

Originally Posted by Star Hunter

Just bought a new 11" RASA and currently fitting it out with a 90mm F14 MAK GS and a Lodestar.

But after reading about the weight of a DSLR on the smaller RASA's C/Plate, perhaps I should swap the C14's fastar SX M25C CCD for the RASA and use the DSLR on the 14. Decisions, decisions. What do others say?

Jim

Hello Jim,

If you want/already have the DSLR and are concerned about the weight of the DSLR loading the glass, you could fabricate a bracket to help support some of the weight of the DSLR. If It was made as one (or 2) thin fin/s below the DSLR attached to the camera's 1/4-20 tripod socket it could also hold the cables. Downside - The extent to which this would introduce diffraction spikes around the stars would depend on the fin orienation/number/size etc... and might need to be experimented with.

Best
JA