Any experiences with full format CCD ?

[Damienandwendy (Damien)]

I have come into possession of a Phase One H10 digital back. I used the term full format, though it may be technically medium format or full frame or go by some other name for you photography experts. Rough specs are 11M pixel, CCD size 36.9 x 24.6mm, ISO 50-400 and connection is via firewire.

Since it is basically "free" I would like to explore its use as an astrophotography camera, as I don't have one at the moment.

Has anyone out there had any experience with something like this ?

The main downside that I can see is that the only computing device that I own with firewire is a desktop PC, as neither of my netbooks have anything beyond USB and network ports.
The next problem will be actually connecting it to a scope. Even with that achieved I realise that any imaging would not use the full CCD ... but its "free" !!!

Any input/comments appreciated.

cheers

Damien

[Poita (Peter)]

I'm not sure it will be worth the effort, that sensor gets noisy over ISO 100, it was really designed for studio photography at ISO 50 with tons of light.

[Damienandwendy (Damien)]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply.

I was slightly concerned that the ISO range of the unit was a bit low. After a bit more reading it looks like I would need to connect quite a few other things in the optical path to "make" it work. One is a mechanical shutter ( which came with the unit ), but figuring out how to activate it is another thing entirely.

I was just hoping that it would produce better quality results then buying a cheap astro webcam or an autoguider so I could have a dabble in the mystical art of astro imaging.

Cheers

Damien

[Poita (Peter)]

I have a toucam webcam sitting around if you want to borrow it to have a go.

-Peter

Originally Posted by Damienandwendy

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply.

I was slightly concerned that the ISO range of the unit was a bit low. After a bit more reading it looks like I would need to connect quite a few other things in the optical path to "make" it work. One is a mechanical shutter ( which came with the unit ), but figuring out how to activate it is another thing entirely.

I was just hoping that it would produce better quality results then buying a cheap astro webcam or an autoguider so I could have a dabble in the mystical art of astro imaging.

Cheers

Damien