datman

Approximately 2 years ago I decided to try out Astrophotography and started looking at cameras. I spotted and was tempted to buy an OpticStar Ds-335 ICE reduced from £600 to £400, reason given end of product line. Having no experience of astrophotography I contacted OpticStar and after a fairly long telephone conversation ordered the Camera.

I bought the camera as Winter was coming to its end and not having a permanent setup or being a middle of the night astronomer it was some time before I was able to use the camera. I had great difficulty with the camera and could not get it to repduce anything resembling colour (it's an OSC). I contacted OpticStar (about 6 months after purchase) and asked for a refund as the camera was defective. I was told that I didn't know how to use the camera and an idiot's guide for it's use was sent. I was also told not to use 1x1 binning because it was not sensitive enough.  I tried again but the usual outcome was, after eventually getting the computer (and I tried 3) to communicate, I would go through setup and focus, then usually just as I was about to attempt imaging the camera's output would become corrupt.

I did manage to get an image of M42 but using 2x2 binning the colours took a lot of coaxing out. However knowing no different I continued.  By the end of the winter I was getting good at initial setup and looked forward to the next set of dark nights.

This was not to be, I developed a serious heart condition and had to undergo surgery so no imaging that winter.

By the time I started again (winter 2013) I definitely knew what I was doing. I may not have been able to do any imaging but I can read.  I quickly came to the conlusion that the camera was defective and contacted Opticstar. To my amazment the opening comments were along the lines of "you don't know what you're doing, are you using the instructions I sent you". So even after 2 years it was still remembered. I pointed out that now I did know what I was doing and I was asked to send some samples. 1x1 binning was black regardless of light condition i.e. it didn't work.

2x2 and 4x4 had corruption/noise over large areas.

Email form OpticStar saying images are defective but is not necessarily the camera!  Send the camera for checking but we may not be able to repair it if it is defective.

Email from OpticStar, camera is defective but cannot be repaired. We are sending you a DS-335C.

Well the duff camera was a DS-335C ICE but a working camera is better than nothing.

First indoor checks indicated the camera was OK.

First outdoor checks not that much different to before (although 1x1 binning worked). Intial setup OK, then large areas of  corrupt image or what looked like loss of horizontal sync over the whole of the image on others. I captured a sequence of about 8 images which showed all these defects and contacted OpticStar sending the examples.

The response was "I find it too much of a coincidence that you have recieved 2 defective camera and cannot help you".

"I think it is your setup."

I asked them to explain how I had managed to setup the camera so that the results of computer controlled sequence were so different.

No response

So it would appear that it was all my fault. Nothing to do with OpticStar selling me a defective camera in the first place.

As to the abilities of the DS-335C ICE, I've no idea, I've never got that far.

Just in case you are wondering, seeing yet another winter slipping bye I bought a 2nd hand modified 1000D. At my 2nd attempt I imaged M42 (see signature).

Guess which supplier I won't use again.

Both cameras have been disposed of, in the recyling bin. I wouldn't wish them onto anyone else.

After some very frustrating experiences with an OpticStar DS-335C ICE which I have now thrown away. I decided to try something else. A friend recommended the Canon 1000D with AStro modification. So after some searhing I found Cheapastrophotography. Being from the North I do not associate "cheap" with rubbish as seems to be the case in the South. Cheap is low cost, cheap and nasty is rubbish.

After looking at the options I decided to go for a 2nd hand 1000d @ £199 fully Astro modified and described as being in good condition.. Cost (as in lower) was one reason for this choice, the other that a brand new camera would not have a manufacturer's guarantee once the internal filter was removed. The same level of risk for less money. Also after my experience with the DS335, I was reluctant to spend a larger amount just in case it didn't work out.

I placed my order and waited. I was informed of the status by regular emails. When the camera arrived I was very pleasantly suprised, it's physical apperance was to my eyes excellent and everything worked as expected. The shutter count was about 9300 which seems reasonable.

Included with the camera was an 8Gb SD card, battery and charger.  I had also recived an email saying that checking after modification showed the sensor was orthogonal. I didn't/don't know what that means but it sounds like something worth having!

The camera had been shimmed so that regular lenses can still focus to infinity. I still have some Pentax lenses from years back so I can use these for very wide view imaging.

I spent some time learning how to use the new camera/APT software (it also works with Nebulosity 2) and waited for a clear night. The first night I did not try to get good images (no guiding), I just tested the operation of the camera and I was happy with the outcome. The 2nd night I had a go at M42 and was delighted with the result (see my Signature).

So I'd like to thank Juan for an excellent job at a very reasonable price.

Hi

I recently bought one of these from Morgans. I bought the whole thing (cam+tube+filter) ready flashed. It cost less than buying each item separately. Flashing is not particularly difficult but there is a small risk so why not let Morgan take the risk! Just had to remove the lens and fit the tube (easy). Anyway I decided for £40ish it was worth a play. Because of the weather I've only been able to use it once but I was very pleased with the 5 shots of the moon I took with a SW 200P. 200 frames each.

At the moment I'm quite content with what it can do in it's unmodified form.

Datman