nfotis

Nice presentation. The AM5 looks quite slick. If I am not mistaken, the AM5 mount app his its own self-contained app when trying to polar align and go to some target? (timestamp after 1:45) In general, it's quite a sleek mount, and it seems quite usable even without ASIair. N.F.

Maybe a stupid question, but wouldn't using a monochrome sensor (and refocusing for each primary colour separately) achieve the same results? N.F.

If you are planning to use a flattener/reducer, you shouldn't expect much better coverage than an APS-C sensor size. The reducers reduce (pun intended) the image circle while raising brightness (to put it simply, like concentrated milk). If you are planning on shooting only at native focal length, there *may* be some vignetting on a full frame sensor, but nothing flats can't fix. N.F.

I suppose that, if you are shooting in cold climate, cooling isn't strictly necessary (but a cooler helps also with consistency). Probably this sensor seems destined to be used in 'live stacking' applications, not only planetary stuff. N.F.

Interestingly, the company has announced IMX533 planetary cameras (non cooled), which are intriguing (both in color and monochrome versions, with a very small price difference) https://player-one-astronomy.com/product/saturn-m-sqr-usb3-0-mono-camera-imx533/ https://player-one-astronomy.com/product/saturn-c-sqr-usb3-0-color-camera-imx533/ N.F.

A bit confused, as I thought TS has the Omegon brand for their own version? https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p13286_Omegon-Camera-veTEC-571-C-Color-cooled--Sensor-D-28-3-mm.html N.F.

I thought that's a sensor property? As far a I can understand, removing the USB hub is just a cost reduction measure. N.F.

I suppose that using a 2x or 3x Barlow would help with raising the magnification and lowering the brightness? N.F.

Nothing has been mentioned about telescopes with these Canon bodies, so I didn't enter this into consideration. At any rate, the EF-S lenses are mostly a second class citizen in the EF ecosystem (I don't own any of these) N.F.

From what I see, the SVBONY model lacks the built-in USB hub of the ZWO model, so it's a less feature-rich model it seems. N.F.

If you can, try to get a 400mm/5.6L lens (the old one), it's a very nice and light supertelephoto lens (ideal also for bird and air shows). Very sharp, even wide open. I was happy with that lens, today I am using a zoom 100-400L II (bought used), thanks to its flexibility and image stabilization. N.F.

Very few Canon lenses aren't suitable for full frame sensors, because the majority of these date from film days (which is 'full frame' by definition). Only the (very few) EF-S lenses aren't suitable for a full frame camera. N.F.

Note that also the lenses for the R mount aren't cheap, compared to their EF brethren. Also, there's no APS-C version of the R series, these are all full frame bodies and sensors. If you want a mirrorless Canon APS-C, there's the M series (and the related mount). So, I wouldn't expect an APS-C R mount body at the near future. Because I own a collection of EF lenses since film days, I am practically married to SLR bodies, and I don't expect to start building a new arsenal from scratch. N.F.

The original 6D doesn't have an articulated camera (I own it), maybe you mean the Mk2 version? If I am not mistaken, the 5D series doesn't offer articulated screen, in the name of ruggedness. What lenses do you have? Or are you planning to use these with scopes? Personally, I own a 6D (first generation) and a 80D. Never found a reason to own a 5D Mk3 or Mk4 (too pricey), these are quite specialized and you pay extra for ruggedness and fast AF etc. Judging from my 80D, the 6D Mk2 (which seems to share the same autofocus module) should be a very capable camera. N.F.

Personally (but I am located in Greece, so your experience may vary), I paid a small postage cost on top of the listed price on their site, and nothing else, so these may be already baked-in the displayed price, depending on where are you visiting from? My 102ED scope (direct from the site) wasn't a small package. You could check with them in order to verify. N.F.

Since you were going to crop severely anyway, why not go for an APS-C or 4/3 sensor? A full frame camera sensor is a waste in the huge majority of most telescopes (especially if you add a reducer). (by the way, I have read about problems with leaking silicone in front of the IMX571 in the ASI2600MC colour camera, so you may want to check beforehand if ZWO has fixed the problem if you want their implementation) N.F.

Thanks for your work on the review. What made you select the EC/NUC version? It's my understanding that you didn't use a NUC, and I am reading complaints about the encoders. N.F.

Since you have already the reducer, you can use a smaller sensor than full frame (if I understand correctly, these correctors cover up to APS-C size image circle, so no 6D with the 0.8x) Please, check with the field of view calculator in "Imaging mode" below with these cameras combined with the StellaMira 90: - Canon 6D (no reducer) - ASI2600 (IMX571), using 0.8x reducer - ASI294 (IMX294/IMX492), using 0.8x reducer - ASI533 (IMX533), using 0.8x reducer on various targets, not only M31/Andromeda. https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/?fov[]=17298||3106||0.8|1|0&fov[]=17298||1134||0.8|1|0&fov[]=17298||3258||0.8|1|0&fov[]=17298||90||1|1|0&messier=31 (added the cases I mentioned already, so you can do a direct comparison) N.F.

Hello there, it's an unfortunate situation that the large sensors cost way too much (add to the cost the larger filters etc). With the SM90, Andromeda fits well (barely) into an APS-C sensor, if you position the diagonal correctly. The Sony IMX571 sensor is the current champion on this size. You can find multiple versions, from the RisingCam IMX571 to the ZWO/QHY and Moravian versions, ranging from 1500 to 2500 USD for the colour version, and from 2100 USD to 3000 USD or so for the mono version. There are two versions of this sensor, the consumer grade is suggested to operate less than 300 hours per year, while the industrial version has no such limitation AFAIK. A lower price approach would be to use a 4/3rds sensor like the IMX294, together with a 0.8 reducer. This sensor suffers a bit from amp glow, which needs some extra effort to remove from the final result. If you don't mind the square format, the IMX533 is another option as well (on the par technologically as the IMX571 sensor). A full frame sensor is too pricey (add 2" filters, and it becomes quite painful, especially for narrowband filters), and generates HUGE image files which will tax most personal computers trying to process them. So, the size and price segments are like this: Full frame (IMX455) APS-C (IMX571) 4/3rds (IMX294, IMX492 if going for mono version) square format (IMX533) N.F.

I would like to note that cooled cameras are falling under the one thousand mark these days, so even the price advantage of a dSLR is getting eroded. As an example, the SVBONY SV405CC camera includes a large enough sensor (IMX294) and costs 600 GBP on their site at the moment (I don't know if you will have to pay VAT etc on this price). I am looking at this model with interest myself, and waiting for the reviews. Of course, cooled cameras require a laptop or a Raspberry Pi computer, but you may need it anyway, if you have to employ guide camera etc. N.F.

The company has announced yesterday on their FB page two more planetary cameras: https://player-one-astronomy.com/product/mars-c-ii-usb3-0-color-camera-imx662/ (successor to the IMX462 sensor) https://player-one-astronomy.com/product/uranus-c-usb3-0-color-camera-imx585/ (successor of IMX485) N.F.

It seems that the first cooled camera from SVBONY has become a reality. They updated their page, with price, specs etc. https://www.svbony.com/sv405cc-cooled-color-osc-camera/ It's my understanding that the first cameras have gone to reviewers, and deliveries to end users should start soon. Personally, I am waiting for some reviews before making a jump (they are without precedent on cooled cameras, as far as I know) N.F.

Not a bad price, the delta from the 294MM is quite significant. Maybe this is the preorder pricing? I suppose that we shall see the equivalent QHY prices in May as they reach their dealers... N.F.

Surprised to read that the Sahara dust has reached all the way up north (here in Athens it's quite visible these days) Enjoy your new scope, N.F.

I think that TS offers a 0.67 reducer suitable for this design. Lemme see... Saw it in the accessories : https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8932_TS-Optics-Optics-2--CCD-Reducer-0-67x-for-RC---flatfield-telescopes-ab-F-8.html N.F.