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Wow. Thank you very much M40 and vlaiv. I'm now outside observing and once I return I am going to read this valuable information about under sampling vs over sampling and how to avoid it and when can be considered. In fact my spreadsheet had a couple more lines concerning all the possible ways to achieve the green color (whether through binning or the use of a Barlow which I want to avoid) in CCD suitability calculator. Thank you and I'm also leaning towards ASI385 as it seems to match better to this reflector, but still have to be sure. Once I'm done with reading I will get back here. Thank you FLO for the calculators. Regards David

Hello, I've wrongly opened a topic on "Getting started with imaging" where I as was asking for a suggestion on choosing a planetary camera for EAA/EEVA. I decided to open a new topic here despite being a matter frequently discussed because I'm still struggling to make a decision about choosing and buying a dedicated camera. I've been gathering elements about 4 color cameras which I consider viable for my low budget. I'm not considering mono cameras unless the outcome is really outstanding compared to color. Also I'm avoiding cameras as ASI294MC/ASI294MC PRO/ASI533MC PRO/ASI183MC PRO or others because they largely exceed my budget. Can anyone help me taking a decision? I will use in a Orion Optics VX6 Advanced in a HEQ5 GoTo mount. I hope this topic helps other people with the same doubts. The ZWO ASI482C in my setup although it may seems to have good features for EAA/EEVA it should require a barlow (astronomy.tools / CCD suitability) when the seeing is Good or Exceptional. Does it matter very much in DSO under such conditions? My main observation preferences are globular clusters, medium sized galaxies/nebulae. Planetary AP (already happy using a DSLR in a manual GSO 254/1250 dob) and autoguiding come as add values, so I'm not really focusing on these. Thank you so much in advance, Clear skies In 150/750 Reflector ZWO ASI385C ZWO ASI482C ZWO ASI485C QHY 5III 485C Color/Mono Color Color Color Color Cooled No No No No Sensor IMX385 IMX482 IMX485 IMX485 Pixel Size (microns) 3,75 5,8 2,9 2,9 Resolution (not so relevant) 1936 x 1096 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 3864 x 2180 Resolution per pixel (ideal between 1 and 2) 1,03 1,6 0,8 0,8 Megapixels 2.12 2.07 8.29 8.4 TFOV (in my telescope) 0.55° x 0.31° 0.85° x 0.48° 0.85° x 0.48° 0.85° x 0.48° QE (higher = better) 80% 85%@530nm 85%@530nm High (?) Read Noise (lower = better) 0,7e-2,7e 1,5e-12,9e 0.7e-6,4e 1.0e- to 2.4e- Standard Mode, 0.6e- to 1.09e- sHGC Mode SNR1 (lower = better) 0,13lx 0,07lx 0,18lx 0,18lx FPS (in full resolution) | not so relevant for EAA 67 (12 bit) 57,50 (12 bit) 27,5 (12 bit) 18,5 (16 bit) Internal Memory none ? none ? none ? 128DDR Exposure Range 32 μs ~ 2000s 32 μs ~ 2000s 32μs~2000s 10μ-300s Full Well Depth (higher = better) 18700e 51000e 13000e 12236e Bit Depth (higher = better) 12bit 12bit 12bit 12bit Optical Window AR AR AR UV/IR cut and AR coated Back-focus (mm) 12,5 17,5 17,5 11 Extra Info Full compatibility with ZWO software + All Sky Lens Full compatibility with ZWO software Full compatibility with ZWO software 2.5mm All Sky Lens

Hi Mike, Many thanks for your prompt reply. Of course I should have open this topic within https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/287-discussions-eeva-equipment/. If a moderator can change it to the proper place I would appreciate. I did not yet found a clear answer between these two sensors, mostly because both have perhaps a year in existence/built-in in cameras. Let's see if anyone has compared both. I know each equipment is an equipment and each target is a target. Thank you for your explanation about mono cameras with large pixel size. As matter of fact I have more interest in large and small galaxies and globular clusters rather than large nebulae or planetary AP. Of course I read that IMX464 allow us has more sensitivity and allow us to use additional specific filters (ex: IR, CH4) as in planetary but I'm really interested in DSO, namely maximizing their view with electronic aid (without having any need of AP and its post processing). Best regards David

Good afternoon, This year I am going to start doing EAA (perhaps followed by AP) and I would need your recommendation to make a decision in a sensor/camera. I'm leaning towards the color sensors IMX464 & IMX485. My equipment is an OOUK Advanced VX6 (150/750) in a SW HEQ5. After doing some simulations in astronomy.tools I put the also good sensors IMX462 ((narrow FOV) and IMX482 aside (large pixel size). My aim is to have a low noise camera for EAA that will be also used for autoguiding with a DSLR. The planetary AP is less relevant for me although it will be used too if there is a gain comparing to a DSLR. I'm uploading a comparison of the specification concerning these two sensors based in 3 cameras (Player One Neptune 2C + ZWO ASI485C & QHY5III485C. I think I've selected the most important specifications for EAA plus a few others less important as FPS. Does the community have some recommendation that can help me taking a decision? Of course there are other models/sensors as cooled cameras or mono cameras (better for galaxies) but I would prefer to keep the budget in this level and rely in one single camera (+DSLR) Thank you, Clear Skies David IMX_464_vs_IMX_485.pdf

Thank you very much for these useful suggestions. Indeed these Skymax are very interesting in aspects as you say, portability, for being a closed tube, contrasty views, OTA weight (127 would fit wonderfully in a EQ5) & high focal length. Nevertheless they are more targeted for planetary (visual & AP). I'm more interested in deep sky objects (1st steps in AP/EAA and visually whenever the dob is not around) and therefore I decided for a safe path avoiding the RC and choosing an aluminum OTA F/5 reflector (Orion Optics VX6 Advanced 150/750). I hope the NEQ5/EQ5 GoTo can handle it with a minimalist set of accessories. Thank you so much for the tips.

Although I’m an avid reader of this forum, this my first post ever. Perhaps the 1st of many others. So, I’m now having a dilemma in choosing a secondary telescope and I would appreciate if the community could advise me on the best option. My primary telescope is a 10-inch dobsonian (254/1250 | F/4.92) equivalent to a GSO Deluxe. Due to its relatively large weight & since I also wish to do the first steps in EAA and eventual very basic deep sky astrophotography (achieving better results than an untracked dob should not be really that hard!) , I’m looking for 2nd scope (to be installed in a computerized EQ mount). My aims: - valid for visual although it should not be the its main objective as the dob has this slot - ideally a native focal ratio of 5 or 6 or a slower scope with a focal reducer to achieve those ratios so it can be used in EAA and basic astrophotography - portable (OTA up to 5/6 kg) - 150mm aperture - Focal length preferably over 700mm (main targets will be globular clusters/medium-small nebulae & dozen of galaxies or more) - Easy collimation (preferably using star collimation or the tools I have: Concenter Eyepiece and Rigel Collimation Cap). - Preferably an open tube due to dew problems - Budget under EUR 600.00 / GBP 500.00 / USD 700.00 (OTA only) I’m narrowing the telescope designs/models to these two: · 150/750 | Newton F/5 namely the Orion Optics VX6 with mirror surface quality 1/10 | 97% reflectivity | 4.5 kg · 152/1370 | Ritchey-Chrétien namely the TS Optics RC6 (by GSO) | 99% reflectivity | 5.4 kg Regarding the mount I would prefer to consider a SW NEQ5 / EQ5 (budget issue) but I know that many of you will suggest a HEQ5 or EQ6. I will in the future which one can I afford. Concerning camera an APS-C DSLR will be used namely a Pentax K-30 Which one would OTA model should I buy? I’m totally aware of coma issues regarding the Newton (I already have a budget GSO CC) and tricky collimation / large secondary mirror obstruction in RC but I may not be aware of other issues as eventual tracking problems in EQ5 in larger focal lengths. I would prefer a newton /RC rather than a small (70/80mm) ED/APO due to their higher focal lengths. Larger ED/APO are too expensive. Catadioptric telescopes are not being considered as the dob handles very well planetary, moon & sun both in visual & AP. For wide field AP & milky way shots I have the DSLR with the Astrotracer feature + lenses . I know there is no ideal telescope to serve all the purposes (AP & visual) and especially with my budget restraints, but I’m looking to a telescope that can give me a step forward in EEA/AP and step backward in visual not being too steep in either way. Thank you so much for your inputs and clear skies