StarWomble

Thanks folks, I’ll try the 2600 for now and see what output I get before I get anything else

I also looked at getting a Nikon d850 but I’m a little concerned on the weight right at the end of the imaging train…

I can see your point but the ZWO ecosystem works for me right now. It just saves so much time and ‘faff’ with different applications and the fact my laptop battery wouldn’t last more than 2 hours on a charge 😞 As for the binning on a 2600, I could do that and reduce to 15mp at 2x2 but given the £1k increase in cost on the 6200 I’d find that a bit of a hard ‘sell’ not only that but the QE on the 2400 will be much higher overall. i may still go the 294 route but at the moment thinking the 2400 would suit for what I’m trying to achieve

Medium format… not for my budget sadly…

Having recently acquired a lovely FSQ 106ED, I’ve been pondering my camera choice for it. I use ZWO ecosystem so it will be another ZWO camera for me. I already have a ASI2600MC pro and a ASI183MM pro. On the basis that I will use the extender Q 1.6 from time to time, I think that for “average” seeing conditions, a camera with large-ish pixels will give me less headaches that say a full frame camera with smaller pixels (for example ASI6200) as I think I’ll end up chasing my tail with all sorts of issues. I think I have narrowed out down to either the ASI2400MC pro or a much cheaper option of an ASI29MC pro… the 2400 option should be easiest to live with but the cost difference between the two is significant. What’s the opinions of you kind folks out there?

Should have said, I’ll be shooting a mix of targets from galaxies to planets… I'm also raising money for cancer research by imaging from an airfield with nice dark skies at night so the better images I can obtain the more the charity will get (hence this post). To be clear, anything I buy for the project I pay for myself will which I’m very happy to do as my personal part in giving back… I’ve already raised over £7k from 2 prior images which is great as I’m keen to help them as much as I can as I have a rare cancer myself so it’s close to my heart to use my hobby to try and make a difference for the (to me) important work cancer research does. Absolutely NOT asking for any donations from anyone here - just your advice and opinions . My LinkedIn contacts, gained over a very long time in the telecoms industry are my main source of donations ! clear skies all ! iain

Having recently acquired a lovely FSQ 106ED, I’ve been pondering my camera choice for it. I use ZWO ecosystem so it will be another ZWO camera for me. I already have a ASI2600MC pro and a ASI183MM pro. On the basis that I will use the extender Q 1.6 from time to time, I think that for “average” seeing conditions, a camera with large-ish pixels will give me less headaches that say a full frame camera with smaller pixels (for example ASI6200) as I think I’ll end up chasing my tail with all sorts of issues. I think I have narrowed out down to either the ASI2400MC pro or a much cheaper option of an ASI29MC pro… the 2400 option should be easiest to live with but the cost difference between the two is significant. What’s the opinions of you kind folks out there?

No, not yet but I met up with Dave at the weekend when picking up my mount from him. One thing for certain is how passionate he is about what he does and such a lovely guy (and Sharon, his other half is lovely as well). spent over an hour with Dave going over this and that and what he has done to the mount. I’m also testing his prototype ‘latitude lock’ which solves the rather large rocking issue on the latitude adjustment jack on the AZEQ6. Dave’s a real innovator with things like that. One immediate difference is the much reduced power consumption on slewing which will help conserve battery power out at remove sites. Slewing I now see around 1.6A. Dave also showed me the Hybrid ceramics that are now fitted as well as stainless bolts and screws throughout. Very pleased with his work and only took 3 weeks start-finish including 25 hours on test / run in. Need a decent first light opportunity but been overcast since I picked up on Saturday so may take a few nights wait. yes, it wasn’t cheap but without people like Dave at Darkframe we would have to DIY (and have the time/skills and tools) or just put up with the questionable QC that skywatcher have… and TBH, tuning a mount to the tolerances needed IS a Specialist job IMO. I wouldn’t want to try to service my Omega Automatic watch and try to get it to COSC specs so I take the same approach with my mount. I get precious little time for this hobby as it is so messing with the mount for hours and finding I’ve made it o better or even worse just costs me wasted nights.. Anyway, that’s just my 10p worth and based on my own experience. And before anyone asks - I have NO affiliation to Darkframe other than being a paying customer

I'm incredibly dissapointed in the series - too dumbed-down and VERY slow. But FAB to see the BBC spending taxpayers (NOT a license fee IMO🤬) wisely in sending the prof all over the place in a massive overpowered Rib where he was the only passenger to a remote place to 'muse' and ponder about things, and then give me his thoughts like he would to a 5 year old. What a massive waste of resource and dull as dishwater. Rant over 🤣 in contrast, I watched an old Horizon programme straight after 'farceiverse' about dark energy and dark matter and it was very good indeed. I fear Brian Cox is more about making entertainment than delivering anything educational.

Darkframe... I know... lots of comments on them here but I talked to Dave at length so decided to go for it. I'll report back on my experience once I have the mount back - hopefully tomorrow ! Dave has 3 options on type of grease for the mount and I've opted for the middle weight as I have the WO 73 and a Meade 6000 115 so didn't want to go for the lightest weight grease for the OTA's as I intend on using more payload as time goes on.

Interested in a pic of how it looks when you've done it Simon

Hi all, Hopefully getting my AZEQ6 back end of this week from tuning. A question I have is how are folks balancing their OTS payloads? my mount was 'sticky' before i sent it off with the clutch backed completely off and the only way I could balance was by 'guesstimating' its balance point (Meade 6000 115 with guidescope, RDF and imaging train etc) . its as if the mount was still tight... hopefully the mount will now have less stiction so I can achieve better balance, and hopefully be able to make it slightly east-heavy. wondering what others experience with balancing this type of mount is? for me I guess its a case of how freely your kit is able to move so you can achieve a fine balance... and how loose it should be?

I think if you have the imaging time available and experience/know-how, Mono with appropriate filters will beat OSC as they are quite a bit more sensitive as Carole states - I sadly don't have the imaging time budget hence my choice of OSC over mono.. If I had the time I'd maybe have gone mono for the reasons stated. Horses for courses maybe?

I have some of the BST EP's and they give great bang for buck IMO - very impressed with the quality

Great result considering the challenges you had !

Following with interest on this one as I've just got a 2600MC-Pro

Thanks Ian - that's probably the best, most simple and concise answer I have seen on using the filter with a OSC. Very much appreciated !

I've just done exactly this - moved from 600D to 2600MC-Pro. The workflow is different but I also implemented ASIair Plus to ease the workflow migration. Combined, they are a very good platform, at least to me anyway. Its really just about getting used to the working differences - to me it's a simpler setup to get results and saves a lot of time. Time is the thing that's most precious, especially here in the UK with the weather and limited imaging opportunities

This one should work? https://www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk/Modeling/Building-Materials/Carbon-Fibre/Round-Tube/5634-/CARBON-FIBRE-ROUND-TUBE-70mm-x-50mm-x-1mt-5518458

What's the view here on the use of the L-enhance with a dedicated OSC cam? I'm trying to get my head around what it's sweet spot is, i.e is it only useful for say Bortle 5 and worse? or is it useful on very clear and dark skies?

Sounds like a good idea - I was wondering on using some hollow carbon fibre rod from a local radio control shop for the same thing.

I'll see what I can put together. The Buck Boost is this one. Vey simple to wire as +12v in and +- output. Voltage adjust is via a small potentiometer and has 3 segment LED for the voltage. Pretty accurate according to my meter.

Just bought a new (to me) astrocam - ZWO2600MC Pro. Will be moving from Canon D600 and used on WO73II with dedicated adjustable flattener. ALso new is the ASIair plus to control everything with WO 50mm Guidescope and ZWO120mm guide cam. Any tips out there welcomed !! Waiting on my AZEQ6 coming back from tuning - hopefully Friday so fingers crossed will get first light in the next week or so

Haha ! now that IS a blast from the past - blakes seven wasn't it? I used to like the short dark haired evil bird... Servilan I think she was called

thanks for the kind words 🙂