Imaging suggestions?

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Hi all,
Some advice please! I’m thinking shock horror, about getting into some imaging.
Now I tried many many years ago before a lot of you thought about looking up.
I use to use a basic SLR and film etc etc. Frustrating to say the least.

But a lot has changed and I did do a little Video work about 8 years ago. Little security camera attached to the scope onto a TV screen and recordings on a vcr.

Again things have changed a bit. Now web cams and lost of stuff I know not much about.
Now looking around the net everyone seems to use something different.
The Meade has LPI and DSI and there Celestron Nextimage etc etc.

This looks very nice, http://www.myastroshop.com.au/guides...W%20TO%20GUIDE

But at a good price also. Then there is a Digital SLR pay any amount of dollars.
I would prefer to use my Laptop other than a TV monitor. But I’m not sure if a have a capture card in my laptop (yeh I’m an idiot with these things)

I don’t really want to spend lots of money but want something that will work.
I would need to sell some eyepieces to buy that Gstar thing. I would prefer not.
As electronic things are outdated quickly.
Would a second hand LPI be any good? Or DSI? I have not heard great reports on this stuff. I’m going to Snake Valley in November so I hope to catch up with Bird and Paul for some advice on this stuff.

Would it be better with a second hand digital SLR and attach that to the scope so I can do DSO stuff as well as the Moon etc?

I have no budget to say I have a scope mount etc and laptop. But need a camera but I do not want something that’s no good. Also I don’t want to spend $300 lets say and its no good and I have to spend more money sooner than later.
I would be happy to snap the Moon for a while so I get use to things. I have a Fuji digital camera but can not attach it to the scope!

Thanks for any advice.

[matt]

Dave

Of all the webcams, I'd definitely recommend the ToUcam over the LPI and NexImage for planetary imaging. Having owned a NexImage I can speak from experience. IMO it is good but a bit of a step down from the ToUcam (Pro II) and I read the LPI is in about the same league as the NexImage.

That's all I'm doing at the moment before I go on another big learning curve for DSO.

I've not made any forays into monochrome cameras with RGB filters ... yet! However, I can feel that that's not far away.

My advice is maybe decide whether you want to stick to planets/moon for a while, or go straight to DSOs?

Definitely chat with Bird and Paul, and other guys who've been at it for a while.

[Striker (Tony)]

DSLR is the easiest to use and give you immediate results.....

Also a DSLR is going to give you a much wider field of view....something that you would have been used doing visuals.

hahah Dave is gong to be Astrophotographer...well done

[acropolite (Phil)]

Dave, as you already have a digital camera why not get a simple afocal adapter for the Fuji and try that. Other than that I would hold on until you can afford a DSLR.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Dave, as you already have a digital camera why not get a simple afocal adapter for the Fuji and try that. Other than that I would hold on until you can afford a DSLR.

Hi Phil can you please tell me what an afocal is and were can i get one? Thanks.

I'm leaning to a digital SLR more as since i got my Fuji I love taking photos with it. My friend brought a Pentax DSLR and I'm stunned on the photo's he takes with it just hooked upto the scope.
Maybe time to trade the fuji in for something better!!

What about a small digital cam recorder! Can I hook one of them onto a eyepiece and video what is in the eyepiece. The new ones are small and light and record straight onto a cd!

Tony

[gbeal]

Like most have already suggested, and many more yet to, there are two choices, and eventually both will be needed.
Get a ToUcam, and webcam the lunar/planets. It is frustrating, but hellava good fun at the same time, and there exists a wonderful network of knowledgable folk within this forum to steer you in the right direction.
Once you have that sorted, get a cheaper DSLR, and my suggestion is a used 300D, or 350D. Most software is written with Canon in mind, and especially these two cameras. Used 300D's appear on Astromart for anything from US$400 upwards. They are simple to modify (remove the in-built filter) and easy to use.
Where the two will be needed is when you use the 300D for imaging, the ToUcam can be used to auto-guide.
Good luck, it is infectious.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Dave, it basically boils down into two camps.

1. DSO imaging: Use DSLR, DSI/Starshooter, modded webcam, dedicated CCDs

IMO.
DSLR, easy to learn, great results for the price. Second hand 300D similarly priced to a new DSI
DSI/starshooter, realtively easy to learn, greater dynamic range than an unmodded DSLR though imo the images are of a lesser quality. Having said that people like EzyStyles are turning out stunning images with the DSI. Reasonably priced
Modded Webcam, moderately steep learning curve, quality of image is generally may not be as good as the previous imagers, it depends on what type of modded webcam it is.
Dedicated CCD. Steepest learning curve, generally more expensive,

Planetary: Webcams and similar (DSI really isn't suited to high resolution planetary). ToUcam, Neximager, LPI, Sac4.2 and similar.

I've not used a Neximager, but I have used the others and the ToUcam still wins handsdown for ease of use and quality of results. Best this is the ol' ToUcam is cheap as chips in a comparison. But if you get a modded one then you have the option of doing both DSOs and Planetary and luna


You can also get adapters for some of the modded webcams to attach standard lenses to and get widerfield imaging. Problem with webcams is the small chipsize which creates a very narrow field of view. eg a toucam on a 1000mm FL will give a field of view around 0.23 deg by 0.12 deg (roughly)

[matt]

Yes. You can mod a ToUcam for DSO work, but it depends on the sort of results you are looking for?

IMO (and this is a very subjective comment) - I've yet to see any long exposure work carried out by a ToUcam which you wouldn't consider a little rough.

Just my opinion. They just don't make for much of a DSO cam.

Yes... however... a handy way to cut your teeth without shelling out the big bucks, and you'll always have it as a very nice planetary/lunar cam

[Striker (Tony)]

Dave...did I mention get a DSLR.....lol

[matt]

Tony... could you recommend a few entry to mid level priced cams it might be worth us having a look at?

[h0ughy (David)]

Dave wants the holy grail - get a DSLR Dave, you know you want one. You can even use it on the family. LOL

[matt]

Tony?

Recommended brands, models etc?

[acropolite (Phil)]

tell me what an afocal is

Dave afocal is simply through the eyepiece. There are heaps of adapters available, some of which clamp on to the EP and others which screw on. There are adapters available for Nagler EP's as well as many other brands. That said, I seem to remember you have an S5500 which is fairly limited time exposure wise, so it looks like a DSRL is the only option, give the S5500 to the wife and buy a 350D. Don't buy the Pentax though, it's not very good for astro use.... (@ huffy... )

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Thanks for the replies so far. Afocal oh that’s what it is.

With a DSLR you can use it with a Barlow to get good image size for Planets?

Or eyepiece projection? I use to do it that way, eyepiece projection with my old SLR!

Re a scope my Mak at F12 is better for Planets? Yes, but with today’s DSLR will it be ok for DSO work?

Prefer not to sell the Mak. But I would consider it to get say a 8” F4 or F5 Newt.
For better DSO work. Maybe a 80mm Refractor!
Seems to me that today’s DSLR and toucams etc open up a different range of possibilities.

Also is the Nikon D50 a good buy?

Also no one has said anything re the GSTAR- EX yet!!! What no good? or to expensive for what it is?

Thanks for your input so far.

[h0ughy (David)]

go ask Steve Quirk, he uses it, along with a few others, maybe not IIS member but you can track them down through the links on Steve's web site http://www.hwy.com.au/~sjquirk/gstar/gstar.html

[Striker (Tony)]

Dave did I mention a Canon DSLR....lol

But the Nikon 50D is not a bad camera.....I know Terry Lovejoy is still wanting to test the Nikon and feels it may be a good choice of the nikons.....but I would be sticking with the Canon at least it's been proven.

Dave I tried 1.6 barlow with the Canon and 80ED and could not reach back focus....and if your looking at planets just buy a toucam so then you can use it as a guide camera once your finished with the planets.

Matt regarding cams.....I'm not really into cams more the DSLR's...you cant beat the 350D for value for money.

I personaly wouldn't be going for any of the small chiped CCD's like the DSI's and Orion starshooters and would save just a little more to get the DSLR...my opinion....no offence to the guys who have them who are producing great work with this gear.

[matt]

Originally Posted by Striker

Matt regarding cams.....I'm not really into cams more the DSLR's...you cant beat the 350D for value for money.

I personaly wouldn't be going for any of the small chiped CCD's like the DSI's and Orion starshooters and would save just a little more to get the DSLR...my opinion....no offence to the guys who have them who are producing great work with this gear.

Isn't the DLSR a variety of "cam" - which is just short for camera anyway

Tony - that's what I meant. What DSLR cams are out there for guys like Dave and I who might be interested in dipping our toes into DSO imaging without heading straight for the top shelf?

Cheers

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Dave forget trying to image planets with a DSLR. Yes you can do it with eyepiece projection, but the results will be less than satisfactory compared to other imaging setups. For planetary imaging then webcamming it is the only way to fly. I use eyepiece projection for image scale with the webcam and I have also done it with the DSLR. Webcam wins hands down. There is just no comparison. To get a better planetary image you will need to book access time on the hubble.

[acropolite (Phil)]

You may have some success imaging with your Fuji in AVI Mode. DSLR's don't have a movie mode BTW.

[Striker (Tony)]

I recommend a Canon 350D DSLR for Prime focus deep space photography.