ZWO ASI120MC and 127MAK

[tekkydave]

Hi,

I am considering purchasing one of these to use with my Celestron 127SLT MAK. Has anyone else used this camera with a 127MAK and have any example images to give me an idea of what I will be able to achieve? I am also open to suggestions of alternative cameras in a similar price bracket if they will give better results or some other feature that the ZWO may not have.

Many thanks in advance.

[knobby]

Not a 127, but a 150

[tekkydave]

Thanks knobby - that gives me a rough idea. I have seen some very impressive shots done with an 8" version of my scope but I'm not sure what a 5" should be capable of.

It's difficult to know at what point spending more money on the camera becomes pointless. I suppose whatever camera I get it will be useful with any future scope I upgrade to.

[knobby]

I've seen better results than I've achieved so far with the 127 version, I'm still learning :-)

[riklaunim]

Thanks knobby - that gives me a rough idea. I have seen some very impressive shots done with an 8" version of my scope but I'm not sure what a 5" should be capable of.

It's difficult to know at what point spending more money on the camera becomes pointless. I suppose whatever camera I get it will be useful with any future scope I upgrade to.

You get the camera and you start to learn how to get good planetary images with the scope you have. When you get to know that well you upgrade to a bigger scope, then to a better camera and you end up doing very good images with a very big aperture

[JamesF]

Here's a few images of Saturn and Jupiter, all taken using a 127 Mak and ASI120MC.  They're not the best I've ever done, but the weather hasn't exactly been co-operative either

 

James

[tekkydave]

Those are impressive images, James. How many frames have you stacked to produce these and what software do you use?

[JamesF]

Those are impressive images, James. How many frames have you stacked to produce these and what software do you use?

Thank you  For Saturn I used around 3000 frames.  For Jupiter probably half that.  My processing is along the lines of what I've described here:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/184821-beginners-guide-to-stacking-planetary-images-with-autostakkert2/

James

[tekkydave]

Well I'm convinced - I've just placed my order. Happy New Year and clear skies to all.

[knobby]

Well I'm convinced - I've just placed my order. Happy New Year and clear skies to all.

Great choice... Really is becoming a popular cam so plenty of advice / samples available

[tekkydave]

Camera arrived in post yesterday. First impressions are that it is well engineered. Getting that nice squeaking noise when screwing/unscrewing the lens and nosepiece (wierdo!). Just need a clear spell to try it out now.

[astroeddie]

Just got my new 127 SW Mak and coloured ZWO ASI.  After seeing these planetary images, I'm busting for a clear sky. Looks like Monday and Tuesday are looking good  

 

[calli]

Because this thread was resurrected I don't mind to post my images too for the next one who comes by by searching the board.

So far I had only time to make images without (!) a barlow.

Jupiter is not a compose, which (IMHO) shows the capability of the ASI120MC quite good. Mars and Saturn had not that good seeing, so mars is a bit like a potato... All captured with Firecapture (latest Beta).

Cheers,
Carsten