ZWO ASI 120mm extra needs?

[bmc]

hello all,

i have decided to take my first step into AP, and after much research,  have decided to purchase the ASI 120mm (it seems to be ticking everyone's boxes). obviously a filter wheel and LRGB filter set would be required for color shots. (i have a 127 nextstar SLT mak), would i need a focal reducer? and/or a bigger barlow? currently i have a x2 & x1.5 barlow. is there any other bits of kit i'm not considering that would enhance the use of the ASI 120mm?

thanks for reading.

Bernie.

[pipsquip]

You will need a focal reducer for moon shots also a light pollution filter is a worthwhile buy even if there is not much street lights where you live

[pipsquip]

One other thing I forgot was patience you WILL need a lot of that and I would download different capture software and processing software and experiment to see what's best for you

[bmc]

thanks, 

i already have a LP filter. i have read to try out several capture software, and it seems sharpcap works best for this camera. in regards to a focal reducer, would/could you suggest a size for a slow scope. my scope  is f11.8 

thanks

Bernie

[pipsquip]

A x.5 would be good my scope is f10 and a focal reducer when imaging the moon makes a big difference .

[pipsquip]

You can use fire capture but only use the beta version because your imager isn't supported in the full version but it is in the beta .sharpcap is easier to use but fire capture is better

[Pete Presland]

you Should be using at least version v2.3 http://firecapture.wonderplanets.de/download.html i have not had any problems with it, agree with pips it is better the sharpcap.

your barlows will be fine size wise. a reducer is not essential if you do not mind having a go at a lunar mosiac, thay can be quite time consuming but very rewarding. i would not using a light pollution filter when imaging either to be honest, your LRGB set will be fine just make sure they block UV/IR as well if not i would buy a filter that does.
 

[malc-c]

Make sure your computer is intel based.  Seems that these cameras don't like AMD chipset. http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/214467-issues-with-zwo-cameras/#entry2297267

[ArmyAirForce]

I would recommend an Astronomic IR Pass filter too. Good for a luminance layer on Mars, and also very good on the Moon. I did this comparison between the IR Pass, Luminance filter and red. The IR seems to give a more steady view, resulting in more good frames to stack.

I got mine from Modern Astronomy. I think there's a few different IR Pass filters. Which one depends on the size and light gathering ability of your scope. They should be able to advise what will work best for you.

Firecapture v2.3 takes a bit of getting used to, but is certainly more flexible when using IR,L,RGB filters.

[lensman57]

hello all,

i have decided to take my first step into AP, and after much research,  have decided to purchase the ASI 120mm (it seems to be ticking everyone's boxes). obviously a filter wheel and LRGB filter set would be required for color shots. (i have a 127 nextstar SLT mak), would i need a focal reducer? and/or a bigger barlow? currently i have a x2 & x1.5 barlow. is there any other bits of kit i'm not considering that would enhance the use of the ASI 120mm?

thanks for reading.

Bernie.

Hi Bernie,

The ASI is a great camera, I have both the MC and the MM and currently I use the MM for guiding, the drivers are also better written than the rival QHY5Lii so you would have  peace of mind with most applications using the drivers. ASI is a planetary camera not DSO and works great with the 127 MAK but I would advise that in the beginiing you do not use a barlow lens . 127 mak has a long FL of 1500mm and a slow F no of 11.9 so the FOV is very small so you may find it difficult in the beginning to place the target on the sensor. I do not know of any reducer for the 127 MAK although some folks have used a 0.5X reducer with some success but  I  am not sure of the quality of the final result. I have a Meade 0.63X FF/FR that appears to achieve focus with my MAK but I have not managed to use it in anger yet. As for the filters, do yourself a favour and buy a set that are known to be parfocal with each other, Baader and Atronomiks are the more " affordable " brands but the set is still quite expensive, however you really do not want to be refocusing between captures and filter changes. I use a Baader neodymium filter as LUM and it works great with both Jupiter and saturn if using colour, I have no idea about Mars though. Good luck and enjoy the new toy.

Regards,

A.G