Imaging Source DFK 21AU04.AS - would you recommend this as a good all rounder for a serious beginner?

[choochoo_baloo]

I have been fiddling around with imaging on my DSLR for a while, and wish to purchase a dedicated CCD camera.

Ater some brief research, this camera is often quoted as a good starting point for a serious imaging beginner, with capability to last me a good while (Imaging Source DFK 21AU04.AS).

I have a few questions, if anyone would be so kind as to answer them:

1. I do not understand how one would convert (on a computer) monochrome images, say from the monochrome versions in this range, to colour images? I assume this is how the really good imagers are able to capture the maximum resolution possible - by using monochrome CCDs? Or if you wish to finally have colour images, must one have a colour CCD such as this model?

2. Regarding this model, would it also be able to yield some good results with deep sky objects? I wasn't under the impression these Imaging Source cameras are just for planetary and lunar?

3. Sort of related; to overcome accurate focusing issues on my existing basic equipment, I plan to purchase a motorised focuser, when buying a Celestron C8 SCT. Never having owned one, is there a limited number of products that would compatible with this OTA? For instance I found a Baader one, suitable for this OTA, on firstlightoptics for ~£300......... Surely there are other motorised focusers, albeit not of the Baader's quality, that would still do a good job?

4. No matter what 'scope, and camera an imager has, is the best objective method of achieving optimum focus still using a Bahtimov mask? It appears to be a reliable/fail safe way of doing so.

5. Would anyone advice Nebulosity as software to do 'everything' bar the final photographic processing? From the little I know about it, I have heard good things.

As I say I am a newcomer, so thorough answers would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Zakalwe]

The DMK/DFK is a Lunar/planetary camera, and the model that you have highlighted is a very old model. It is not at all suited for imaging DSOs.

To get colour from a mono camera, one must use filter (Red, Green, Blue). The camera takes a series of exposures with each filter and the resulting images are combined in software.

The Baader focuser is a very good one. You'll not go wrong with one. I wouldn't contemplate starting out with a SCT for DSO work though. It's too slow and has a long focal length which will put big demands on guiding.

A Bahtnov mask is an excellent way of achieving focus. There are other ways, including using software (FWHM).

Nebulosity is OK (I use it for image capture). I don't like stacking images with it as there are too many fiddly steps. I use the freeware Deep Sky Stacker which gives excellent results.

HTH

[choochoo_baloo]

Ok thanks. So what camera would you recommend as a solid all-rounder in that sort of price range?

For the red, green, blue filters with mono cameras, is that where people often employ these filter wheel things I read about? Are they simply 3 coloured 1.25" filters in a circular holder thing? Is it fairly automated for the software to combine each of the 3 coloured frames, to produce a corresponding multi-colour frame?

Sorry why do you advocate the Baader focuser in particular - I'm trying to find out it's particular selling points!

[Zakalwe]

There's no such thing as an "all rounder". A DSO camera needs to take 16-bit long exposures with low-noise, sensitivity to a wide range of frequencies and cooling. A planetary camera needs to be able to take movies with very high frame-rates (30 fps and upwards to over 100 fps).

Buy and read this book first and foremost.

http://www.nightskyimages.co.uk/making_every_photon_count.htm

It will tell you answers to a lot of the questions that you are asking.

You don't say what mount and scope you are using. Or what images you are aiming for (nebulae? galaxies?) . Are you currently guiding?

The Baader Steeltrack focuser is a good one. I use one on my Lunt solarscope and it just works. I also use Moonlites on my SCT and refractor. They are another step up in quality AND price (nearly double the Steeltrack). The Baader looks and feels nice and works well.

[PeterCPC]

I have a DFK21AUO4.AS and have used it successfully for planetary imaging - it will NOT do DSO images. It takes images in mono then you debayer them in Registax6. You can also take images in colour if you wish. The software that comes with it is not that good and there is no manual produced but there is an online support forum. You can use Sharpcap or Firecapture with it.

I must say that I now get better results more easily using my Canon 550d using a brilliant piece of software called Backyard EOS (BYE). 

I find it really difficult sometimes with the DFK to find the target due to the small image chip.

Peter

[PinoyStargazer]

Hello Main Sequence,

I just got my hands on a DFK 21 AU01_ AS  - What are the recommended settings for Planetary  in IC Capture or FireCApture ? Do I check Debayer  during Capture, What codec Y800? Pls advise, my first attempt yielded  what seem to be Grayscale, no colors

[Freddie]

You may be better off sending Peter a PM (or start a new thread) as his post is over 4 years old.