what camera to buy?

[icytailmark (Mark)]

hi i want to start off doing astrophotography with a cheap webcam but i dont know what is a good camera. i have a 12" Dob however i plan on selling it and getting a 10" newt on a neq6 mount. i just wanna start off with planets and the moon. can anyone recommend me an easy setup? i have never done any astrophotography but i am good with computers.

[dannat (Daniel)]

you might look for a secondhand toucam, or a celestron nexstar (telescopes & astronomy in SA do long exp mods of these) - or one of the meade dsi units
these untis are at the cheaper end - from 100-400 in order -secondhand toucam cheapest & some of the meade dsi's the dearest

how much are you willing to spend..do you want one shot color or are you happy to fiddle with a mono camera (more sensitive) but will need filters to get colour results

next step up would be the DBK/DMK models - there is a DMK (mono) in the for sale section on this site - with a good saving

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

The toucam is a decent rig and has proven its self well, though if you can try for the DMK21 as a starter as you will get more resolution and better data.

[asimov (John)]

Seeing you have stipulated "easy setup" I'd say stay clear of the mono DMK (RGB filters/filter wheel & 3X work required) & go the USB DBK or DFK. The DFK will need the IR filter in front of the sensor removed however.