the grasshopper3 usb3 version?

[Poita (Peter)]

Definitely hard drive or some other issue. Try processing from the SSD, I am processing similar images in way less time from my 6MP camera on my Mac laptop with SSD.

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Hmmm must be hard drive then. 9 panels in 42 minutes here, and that is allowing for saving etc. Averages are around 3 minutes in Avi stack. i7 myself not as much RAM but using a 7200 rpm drive for both recording and storage. I do have an SSD too but not installed that yet. Admittedly I am using a 2.8mp camera and that would account for a slower rate but I would think 1 hour is not bad anyway. It used to take my old machine 12 hours to process out the same data, so 42 minutes for me is great.

[Poita (Peter)]

If you are imaging in 8bit, then it will be the gamma problem with the grasshopper. I have been fighting with Pt Grey over this for a while now, they finally acknowledged that their gamma implementaion isn't correct. The only way around it is to capture in 12bit or 16bit and use a LUT to fix it.
I am testing a new Lumenera camera at the moment that is scheduled for release in Q4, there will be a 2.8MP, 6MP and 9MP model, the 6MP one looks to be the business at the moment, very impressed so far.
Pricing is going to be noticeably higher than the PGR cameras, but framerates and noise are better so far.

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Humm...careful what your wish for.....

Can't say I'm totally happy with my GX 6.0mp...

There seems to be some sort of in camera processing going on that is impossible to switch off, that causes banding in areas of very low contrast
possibly due low well depth, but I *never* saw this in my Lumenera Skynyx 2-2...and it makes spickules *very* hard to capture without artifacts.

...and there is the data volume problem. 5-6 Gb raw data files take time to process, even on cutting edge PC platforms.

Lastly, support software.

Without Firecapture I'd be screwed with the GX 6.0mp, I'd want to make sure there was: capture + real-time camera settings + preview software available prior to parting with some serious $$

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

http://grasshopper3.ptgrey.com/USB3/Grasshopper3

would this be good for solar work they have a 4mp version that does 90 frames per second?

The 2.8MP model in USB3 is the one of choice I reckon at the moment. It will image at top framerate in 16bit which is important with Pt Grey's gamma being broken in 8bit. The firewire version of the same camera won't do the full framerate in 16bit so go the USB3 version.

However, wait a couple of months, there are new cameras coming from Pt Grey and Lumenera in the 2nd half of the year and they will be the ones you will want for solar. If you are using a desktop PC you are welcome to borrow my grasshopper and firewire card to have a play (I have the FW800 version).

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by Poita

If you are imaging in 8bit, then it will be the gamma problem with the grasshopper. I have been fighting with Pt Grey over this for a while now, they finally acknowledged that their gamma implementaion isn't correct. The only way around it is to capture in 12bit or 16bit and use a LUT to fix it.
I am testing a new Lumenera camera at the moment that is scheduled for release in Q4, there will be a 2.8MP, 6MP and 9MP model, the 6MP one looks to be the business at the moment, very impressed so far.
Pricing is going to be noticeably higher than the PGR cameras, but framerates and noise are better so far.

That's very interesting! Lumenera make a good product...but given the PGR
6.0mp is already $4k, even higher pricing could be a sticking point.

[h0ughy (David)]

back onto this topic, how would the grasshopper3 compare to the Image source Celestron Skyris?

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

back onto this topic, how would the grasshopper3 compare to the Image source Celestron Skyris?

The Skyris is only 640x480, the PGR will eat it for breakfast

The PGR cameras have better images than the IS cameras, even when using the same CCD. Better layout and design internally seems to result in less noise and better images.

The new quad-tap Lumenera is worth waiting for if you want to do high-end stuff.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Originally Posted by Poita

The Skyris is only 640x480, the PGR will eat it for breakfast

Only the 618 is 640x480. The 445 is 1280x960 and 274 is 1600x1200. And all under US$1000

[h0ughy (David)]

of course i am looking at the 274 - and as for the grasshopper i am not sure if that issue of the gamma has been rectified?