Which Planetary Camera?

[step_hen]

Hi folks

I'm in the market for a new planetary camera at the moment, to upgrade from my SPC880. So, whats hot and whats not at the moment?

My second question is about colour- I understand that mono is much more sensitive, but i'm not sure i want the faff of colour filters. If i get say a DMK can i add colour to the mono image using the SPC880?

Thanks in advance

Stephen

[xboxdevil]

After seeing this: Telescope Reviews: Jupiter September 4th, Samsung SDC-435 and it's on the fly DSO stacking capability I've just taken a punt on a sdc-435.

Good look, it's a minefield out there!

[whirlpool5194]

DMK 21 gets my vote... (USB or Firewire)

Wp

[Stephen]

Lumenera Lu070M over the DMK in my opinion There's one on eBay for £175 at the moment.

You will need to build a project box around it though.

[Space Cowboy]

I've ordered the new dfk colour cam. Like you I don't want to be hassled with rgb filters. First Light Optics - DFK 21AU618.AS Colour

[tea drinker]

That's the one with the new more sensitive sony chip Space cowboy?

Lettuce know how you get on. Might be interested in a DFK or DBK21 myself.

At that stage I would have a 21, a 31 and a 41.

I need to make better decisions.........

[Space Cowboy]

Yep the super sensitive 618 chip.

[michaelmorris]

I'm in the market for a new planetary camera at the moment, to upgrade from my SPC880. So, whats hot and whats not at the moment?

The new DMK cameras with the new 618 chipset are the hottest thing at the moment. If you're after a bargain, I'd hang on and wait for the flood of cheap 2nd hand DMKs that will soon come on to the market as people upgrade to the new 618 chipset version.

My second question is about colour- I understand that mono is much more sensitive, but i'm not sure i want the faff of colour filters. If i get say a DMK can i add colour to the mono image using the SPC880?

Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do when I get a DMK. I've already tried it with my Mono SPC900/colour SPC900 webcams and it works pretty well.

[Adamski]

There's a guy in the for sale section trying to sell a pretty good planetary camera, it's also on ebay at the mo.. £149 brand new, he's looking for £75 and it's never been used.

[xboxdevil]

Out of interest the chip in the new colour DFK 21AU618.AS is the 1/4" Sony super HAD CCD ICX618AQA 4.46mm (h) 3.80mm (v) (5.6um x 5.6um). Whereas the scd-435 uses the 1/3" Sony super HAD CCD ICX638 5.59mm (h) x 4.68mm (v).

With differences between the PAL and NTSC versions:

NTSC (SDC435) ICX638 768*494 at 6.35um * 7.4um

PAL (SDC435P) ICX639 752*582 at 6.5um * 6.25um

So am I right in thinking that these sensors are the same generation? I'd be interested to know how the differences pan out in reality. I know there are plenty of CCD experts out there who will know.

[riklaunim]

TV/Video cameras may not be the best at frame quality. You will also need good or very good frame grabber for them (low quality grabber and the frame quality goes even lower).

[step_hen]

Thanks for the input so far folks, just to be clear, i already have a Mintron so am not looking for a video camera, but rather a dedicated planetary imaging camera.

whats the advantage of the new 618 chipped d*k cameras?

Stephen

[Whippy]

AFAIK, the 618 chip is much more sensitive than the webcam webchip, so you're able to up the framerate and grab more frames in a shorter time. More frames, better chance of a great image.

FWIW, I've some tests my I-nova cam with my laptop and it can do approaching 60fps in 8 bit mode, IIRC the 880/900 webcams are about 15 fps. I would imagine the imaging source 618 cameras would have roughly the same performance as mine.

Tony..

[step_hen]

Thanks Tony

Think i might try one of the 618 chipped DMKs then

Stephen

[Whippy]

Sounds like a plan Stephen .

Tony..