CCD/narrowband advice

[pluto (Hugh)]

I've been keen to get into narrowband imaging for a while but I've finally saved (read: sold stuff and got tax refund) a little spare cash so I'm now ready to dive in. The setup I have in mind is:
An Atik 320E
http://www.optcorp.com/atik-320e-ccd...me-sensor.html
A filter wheel
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
1.25" Ha, OIII and SII filters
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx
http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotog...oductview.aspx

This will be used on my ED80 which I think will match with the small pixel size of that sensor pretty well? And I've gone with this camera and the 1.25" filters to keep the cost to under $2000 (which I know is not much for this kind of setup).

I've read a bunch of threads on here about advice for CCDs etc and I think I'm on the right track but I just wanted to see if anyone had any alternative suggestions or advice (or warnings!)

Also is there an Australian dealer for Atik cameras? Or somewhere better to buy from?

Thanks

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by pluto

Also is there an Australian dealer for Atik cameras? Or somewhere better to buy from?

Thanks

Sorry Hugh, not qualified to answer your other questions, but Andrews stocks the Atik camera's:
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-co...on-10-atik.htm

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Hugh, if you are thinking of an Atik camera they also make an OAG and filter wheels. Andrews has the entire Atik range listed, but might not keep all of them in stock.

[pluto (Hugh)]

Thanks guys, I'm checking out Andrews now.
I've already got my guider sorted at the moment but I'll keep that in mind for the next upgrade!

EDIT: I've just had a look and now I'm leaning towards the Atik 420, same chip but regulated cooling and slightly lower read noise for an extra $200.

[nobbygon (Angus)]

I'm just getting into narrowband as well. One thing you will notice is much longer exposure times to get decent data. Unless you have a very solid guiding setup already, I would get an oag. Min exposure time would probably be around 5 mins/sub.

[pluto (Hugh)]

Thanks Angus,
I expected much longer exposure times, but that's ok, new challenge. I think my existing guide setup should do the job but I'll keep the OAG in mind if I find that I'm fighting a losing battle with it.

[naskies (Dave)]

Are you hoping to do your narrowband imaging in light pollution and/or while the moon's up? If so, you may find that you get better results with a narrower band... the usual price/performance trade-off

[Shiraz (Ray)]

looks like a really good plan Hugh.

only thing I would do is have a closer look at the 314L+ with the icx285. Doesn't have as many pixels, but will be between 2 and 4x faster than the 320 due to bigger pixels and much better Halpha QE. depends if you want the ultimate resolution though - bigger pixels cost a little bit of resolution in the best seeing.

set point temp is no big deal with these cameras - the chips have vanishingly small dark currents.

[pluto (Hugh)]

Originally Posted by naskies

Are you hoping to do your narrowband imaging in light pollution and/or while the moon's up? If so, you may find that you get better results with a narrower band... the usual price/performance trade-off

Thanks Dave, that's exactly what I was planning and I have just been reading up on this. I'm thinking of getting the Orion 1.25" Ha, OIII and SII 7nm filters like this:
http://www.optcorp.com/or-5587-h-alp...-1-25inch.html

Originally Posted by Shiraz

looks like a really good plan Hugh.

only thing I would do is have a closer look at the 314L+ with the icx285. Doesn't have as many pixels, but will be between 2 and 4x faster than the 320 due to bigger pixels and much better Halpha QE. depends if you want the ultimate resolution though - bigger pixels cost a little bit of resolution in the best seeing.

set point temp is no big deal with these cameras - the chips have vanishingly small dark currents.

Yeah I have been thinking about the 314L+, only $100 more at Andrews than the 420, seems like it's very popular and I've seen some great results.
Need to think, and research, more. Thanks for the advice Ray.


EDIT: after more reading I think I'll go with the Baader 1.25" 7nm Ha, 8nm SII and 8.5nm OIII. They're a tiny bit more expensive but I read of some halo issues with the Orion OIII.

[Lee]

I just bought a monochrome Atik 420 from Andrews, delivered this week, took about 10 days to come in from order..... fired it up last night, nice little machine, very low noise, especially after coming from a Meade DSI! No real images yet....

[pluto (Hugh)]

That's great Lee, I'd love an update when you've had a chance to try it out in the field.

I still haven't decided between the 314L and the 420, I like the idea of bigger pixels and faster imaging times but I also like the idea of more resolution. More research!

[White Rabbit]

I think someone might be selling that very same Ha filter in the ice trades .

[pluto (Hugh)]

Originally Posted by White Rabbit

I think someone might be selling that very same Ha filter in the ice trades .

Thanks, I saw that but I'm keen to get a 7nm Ha


I'm still researching but I'm leaning strongly towards the 314L+ at the moment.

[pluto (Hugh)]

Ok I've pulled the trigger!
Atik 314L+ mono from Andrews
Baader 1.25" 7nm Ha, 8nm SII and 8.5nm OIII from Optcorp
and I'll pop into Bintel tomorrow to grab the Orion 1.25" filter wheel.

Big thanks for all the advice!!