A good CCD camera

[Legin (Nigel)]

Hello,

I am considering a CCD camera mostly for my 12inch Dobsonian so I can capture images of the moon, sun and planets with maybe a few bright clusters and what not if I am lucky.

I am considering a few options.

At first I was thinking of getting a "The Imaging Source DMK 21AU618.AS" but I am thinking of getting one of the higher models that have a larger sensor. The DBK 51AU02.AS has a large 1600 x 1200 pixels compared to the 640 x 480 of the DMK21.

While the DBK 51 may be a bit of overkill it would give better results and having a larger sensor would make getting wider field of views a bit more possible. So I could get the full moon in one shot, or sun for that matter which I would like to be able to do.

Plus I can now afford the 51 and I could use it later down the track when I get a more astrophotography orientated telescope.

One thing that confuses me about The Image Source cameras is the difference between the DBK and DMK models. From a look at the specifications they are identical. Any ideas on the difference?

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Hi Nigel

Right out of left field. I have a DMK41AU02.AS.

Monochrome USB camera without IR cut filter
1/2" CCD, progressive scan
Resolution 1280 x 960
Max. 15 fps
Max exposure time 60 min
C/CS Mount

Its has never been taken out of the box since I bought it new from Bintel. Just never got round to using it.

Bintel has them for $579, yours for $400. Do some homework it if suits your needs and PM me if your interested ;-).

[Legin (Nigel)]

msg sent

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Looks like Fred has you sorted Nigel.

The DBK means Bayer matrix or Colour. The DMK means Monochrome (no Colour).

Because the Monochrome has no Bayer matrix (red, green, blue) lenses in front of the sensor, it is inherently more sensitive and provides more resolution as each pixel is capturing the same information. Match this with a set of RGB filters and you can get higher resolution pictures of planets etc, in colour which are higher quality than One shot colour Bayered CCDs, it just is a bit more expensive and requires a filter wheel and filters and more time to get an colour image than simply pointing and clicking with a colour camera.

The money you are saving on that excellent DMK from Fred could go towards a filter wheel and filters if you decide to make colour shots, however, monochrome are quite acceptable and show some excellent details on planets and the moon (the latter is pretty much grey anyway)

Through a 12 inch scope you will be getting seriously good details on Jupiter with a DMK depending on the seeing in the atmosphere, so it will be interesting to see what you can come up with.

Cheers

Chris

[Legin (Nigel)]

Oh so it is literally that simple. Well that explains it. I had a bit of a laugh when I saw the explanation. I was focusing on the trickier bits and the simple bit tricked me up for a second.



I now have the DMK41AU02.AS . It looks like it might just do the trick and then some. Monochrome will be a great start I am really looking forward to getting started with it.

A colour filter and Barlow are next on my list (wish list is growing).

I have always been a Earthly photographer sunsets and landscapes now I feel the bug growing into astronomy. Look out I feel an addiction coming on.

I have take a few shot via eyepiece projection and the Orion SSCIV which have given ok'ish results. Going from that to this camera is a bit of a step up.

I will post some pics as I get them. Typically I am all ready to go, practically new camera, collimated scope and a plan to get Jupiter, Moon and maybe Saturn in one night and ... Of course it is cloudy.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Geez Nigel you dont muck around. I assume then you popped over to Fred's to pick up the camera then?

Fred is a top bloke, whom I met last year at IISAC and had a very long chinwag with, a LOT of laughs and a few drinks. A very cool experience.

So, the idea of a barlow is a gimme, as you need to get up NICE and close with the webcam to get details on Jupiter etc. I have a 5x Powermate from Televue which I think is the planetary barlow of choice. Some also use the 4x Powermate which is a little more forgiving of the seeing at the time. These should be around $200-$250 ish, but you get what you pay for.

The Orion Filter wheel package http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx

for $369 is what you need for some full colour shots, you will need to hook up the barlow, then the filter wheel and then the camera and take say 30-60 secs on each channel (R, G and B) and then combine these after stacking to make a colour image. Its not too hard once you get the hang of it. Check out Mike Salway's planetary imaging tutorial in the article section as to what to do with the programs you will need.

Firstly though, get stuck in whenever you can and see what you can get out of the DMK first, before all the filters and barlows etc. If you have a tracking dob, then this will help tremendously, my 12" dob was only manual, so I had to line up the planet and capture, while it slid past the field of view.

Good luck, and most of all, have fun, while you spend more and more to get the results you want.

Cheers

Chris