nfotis

Hello there, If I remember correctly, turning the focuser on the tube counterclockwise pushes the primary mirror forward. N.F.

Note that there's also the IMX464 sensor (exactly double the area of the IMX462, and double the megapixels, four instead of two), with the same technology. At least Player One offers this sensor: https://player-one-astronomy.com/product/neptune-c-ii-usb3-0-color-camera-imx464/ N.F.

If you have such a dark sky available, an OSC sensor is more than enough to record all the colour and detail you want in multiple targets per night. N.F.

I am a newbie in DSO imaging (I know only planetary imaging - a bit), but I suppose that in Bortle 8-9 areas like Athens some kind of filtering is required? It seems that every manufacturer offers its own gain/mode/whatever parameters (and every program has its own idea about acceptable parameter ranges, judging by the NINA thread and native vs ASCOM drivers). This can lead to a real mix-up, if we don't keep carefully notes of parameters etc. N.F.

Another discussion popped up about these cameras on CN (I think it would be a good idea to use this thread as a clearinghouse about these) https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/786752-risingcam-imx-571-and-nina/#entry11329758 N.F.

Thanks for the guide. Maybe you could do a Youtube version of this guide? N.F.

It seems that the sensor is quite good. This camera looks a plain vanilla version compared to others (no tilt plate etc). If you are getting these results without LP or NB filters, I wonder how well this camera will work using filters. N.F.

Quite satisfied with mine 7-21mm SVBONY EP, on a C9.25 and a Skymax 127/180 pair. It's very usable, and offers quite an ease of use, compared to a tray of pricey EPs. As I am more into planetary photography, I haven't expanded my EP selection much, but these catadioptric scopes are quite easy on eyepieces. If you are going to use the zoom EP on a fast scope, you may experience some visual aberrations. N.F.

In general, a 2x Barlow before your camera is a good combination - you need LONG focal length and f/15 to f/20 (depending on sensor) The ASI224 sensor might be the best for your needs. N.F.

If you remove your lens from your Canon, doesn't the shutter activate? I vaguely remember a "Release shutter without lens" menu option on various models, but it doesn't seem to exist on the 6D Mk2 (I own a 80D and a 6D myself) N.F.

A good idea would be to check with the field of view calculator in https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ Select "Imaging Mode", your scope and the camera/sensor you plan using in order to check framing with various targets. The IMX571 sensor in cameras like the ASI2600 should be a good match for this scope N.F.

Windy conditions are a challenge even on the EQ6-R mount, when speaking about long exposures. If I had additional funds, I think that I would love going for the EQ6-R myself. N.F.

Depends on the weight of your future equipment. The HEQ5 mount is a little agrarian, but it does the job and it's relatively easy to carry alone (15 kg without the counterweights, or so). I have put up to a C9.25, and it can handle it for visual and planetary imaging. For DSO imaging, I would prefer an EQ6-R myself, if I had the money. N.F.

You may be interested in my impressions from my Skymax 180 (added some sample photos as well)

For me, the closed tube construction of the Maksutov and SCT is an advantage in the long term (less worry about the primary mirror getting exposed to the weather elements). And no diffraction spikes. On the other hand, the front glass element introduces a bit of chromatic aberration while the CC is a pure mirror system. Regarding collimation, the Maksutov seem to be the least troublesome. And these seem to offer refractor like views, with high contrast thanks to their long focal length. All these designs are well suited for planetary and lunar observation thanks to their long focal length. Due to their mass production variations, it's possible to get a better C9.25 than a Skymax 180 or the reverse (same for the CC8), but it's my understanding that Synta produces the Skymax 180 at a very consistent quality. N.F.

As you noticed, VAT now is calculated during the checkout from the online store (and according to the destination country), so you don't gain much by shopping in Germany anymore. Maybe it's better to shop directly from the Chinese stores instead? N.F.

Another possibility would be to buy an IMX571 cooled camera from the likes of Touptek/RisingCam maybe? Same technology and pixel pitch as the IMX533, but a quite larger sensor. N.F.

I have a HEQ5 mount, and I am quite happy with my Skymax 180 on it. The Skymax 150 should be nice with the Eq5 mount. I live in a rather warm place, so I haven't been troubled by thermal equilibrium etc (but I received it at the end of spring, and I move it out before I start hauling anything, so it has more than a half hour to acclimate) N.F.

Looks good. Please keep detailed notes of your configuration in each session, because there are many ways to go wrong. I would expect that it'll take some nights of experimentation before you optimise the image capture well enough. Wishing you best luck, N.F.

Did you post an ad in the For sale part of the forum? I don't recall seeing any mention of the C11 and the mount. N.F.

Well, I just checked and the system of AliExpress shows 1078 EUR for the colour version (not including VAT and postage, I think that these are added during checkout per EU instructions) Does the ZWO price include VAT/postage? The monochrome version of the RisingCam imx571 is showing at 1670 EUR or so. I haven't ordered any of these yet. N.F. Edit: the equivalent ZWO models on AliExpress show in 1780 and 2200 EUR, respectively.

Obviously, software compatibility is important. As far as I know, there's a Touptek native driver and application, and most popular capture software supports these cameras via ASCOM as well. A thread about the monochrome IMX571 Touptek/RisingCam camera: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/773197-touptek-mono-imx571-risingcam/ The colour IMX571 version is discussed here: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/739387-risingcam-imx571-camera/ First impressions from the Lacerta version: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/780769-lacerta-touptek-dspro2600m-first-light/ N.F.

I think that he meant "amp glow". Before the IMX533/IMX571/IMX455 family of sensors, nearly all CMOS cameras suffered from the glow presented in the example above (that's inherent on the sensor, due to the heat from the amplifier circuits, if my memory serves me correctly). This happens on long exposures of dark targets, and can calibrated out by suitable dark frames, if my terminology is correct (that's one more preparation stage and post-processing). This latest generation of Sony sensors promises no amp glow present, so things become much easier for astrophotographers, from what I can discern. N.F.

It looks quite nice (albeit a bit expensive - I noticed that the 8" and 10" cost almost the same). What were your experiences? I haven't seen many reviews/impressions from that range. N.F.

I remember reading somewhere that there are various batches of sensors for "industrial use" or "regular use", but I don't know the specific models used by the various manufacturers. It's my guess that there are other differences: better quality or cheaper materials during the camera/cooling system construction, less polished firmware, different exposure modes, etc. Hard to make an informed comparison without having the funds for even one camera, though. N.F.