Planetary camera advice

[jamespels]

Hi all,

As quite a few of you know, I have a trusty TAL 2M (6" F8 refractor). I have finally committed to getting a camera for planetary work, with a view to rrying a bit of longer exposure later on (need to fix a nick on the RA worm drive but this isn't a biggie).

I need to limit the spend on this as far as possible and everything I have read over the last year suggests that I should be looking at a Philips SPC880 / 900. I know this will mean I need to do the lpon exposure mod but my brother-in-law is pretty decent with electronics and I am sure we can figure it out.

Is this still the best choice or has it been superceded by an equivalent price camera?

Thanks,

James.

[brantuk]

It's still about the best deal round to my knowledge James. Check out "Morgans" website for current price - around £30 'ish last I looked

[ScubaMike]

For planetary, you do not need the long exposure modification.

You use the webcam to capture at high frame rates (you will probably be limited to 5-10 fps). This will enable you to get a heap of frames (in an AVI), which can then be run through a stacking program, extracting the best images and stacking them.

This helps to negate adverse atmospheric conditions.

If you move to DSO, then you could do the LX mod.

[Dave-Ryan]

I would go the SPC800/900 route as this is the best value for money option.

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and gave it a first try out last Sunday night. I've used a Meade LPI and found Jupiter to be about twice the size in the SPC900, although maybe Jupiter is closer this year than it was six years ago when I imaged it with the LPI (I don't Know).

[brantuk]

Of course - if you had more budget the DMK's seem to be the next step up from SPC's - much more sensitive and higher frame rates

[jamespels]

ScubaMike - yes, that is exactly what I meant - thanks for confirming.

Dave, brantuk, thanks! brantuk - what is the DMK?

edit: OK, just seen the DMK - I see what you mean! I'll stick with the SPC for now

Cheers,

Janmes.

[Cornelius Varley]

The D*K cameras are the Imaging Source cameras. (DMK, DBK, DFK)

Peter

[steelfixer]

James if you wanted to go down the video route the Samsung SBC series are brilliant.

They are more expensive at £100.00 + but the features they have built in are outstanding for the DSO stuff.