Do I buy an Atik 320e?

[Parallax]

Up until now I have been imaging with the Atik 16 ic-s and (mainly) the C80ED-R.

An unexpected bonus in my pension payment has prompted me to consider upgrading the camera.

There doesn't seem to be many images about taken with the 320, why is this?

Could it be that

a. most are happy with the 314 or have upgraded to a larger chip, or

b. they are not very good?

I know that the pixel size in the 320 is smaller than the 314 but I have done the sums and the arcsecs/pixel, using the C80ED, seem to work out all right.

What are your opinions?

Steve

[johnrt]

I can't really comment on why they aren't used more often, I considered one when I bought my 314l+ but decided against it.

One of my flickr contacts uses one - and he makes it look like a very good camera.

His pics are here

Flickr: JMelquist's Photostream

Hope that helps!

[riklaunim]

314E and 320E have small pixels and bit older CCDs. 314L has biggest size and has better CCD (ICX285), but it also costs much more. All of them will work. If you have a short focal length refractor the E will be ok in terms of scale.

Here are 314E two images made by very experienced photographer:

http://www.jesion.pl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/m81_1024.jpg

http://www.jesion.pl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/m51_stack_ok.jpg

[Parallax]

After further consideration, and your help, I have decided against the 320e.

I will try and "find" a bit more cash (why is it you always need a bit more?) and go for the 314L+.

Thanks

Steve

[ollypenrice]

I've tested one and it's good. Jordan (JCJC) posted one image last July I think, taken in our Takahashi, and I'm certain he'd be happy to show it to you if you PM'd him. He is a very nice guy.

Olly

[JCJC]

I've tested one and it's good. Jordan (JCJC) posted one last July I think, taken in our Takahashi, and I'm certain he'd be happy to show it to you if you PM'd him. He is a very nice guy.

Olly

Steve, I'm no CCD expert so all I can do is show you the images:

I really like this one, and it's pretty faint too http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-deep-sky/112316-ngc6823-ha.html

and http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-deep-sky/109905-crescent-nebula-ha.html

Also, I didn't post this one on SGL NGC 7380 - The Wizard Nebula (Ha)

Jordan

[Parallax]

Oh heck! I'm all in a quandary now. I must say that those images a very good I'm just not sure how well the 320 would match up with the ED80.

I'll have another think over the w/e.

Cheers

Steve

[Grandad]

I was torn between the 320e and the 314L earlier this year. I asked the same question on this site and in the end went with the 314L.

Its a great camera and I was swayed by the mass of excellent images taken with it.

A bonus is the 'set point' cooling which means if you work at, say, -5C you can build a library of darks at that setting and not bother with darks and bias when you are imaging.

I also liked the extra fov and the larger pixels which for a newcomer, like myself, makes tracking slightly easier.