stepping beyond Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I've been miserable since the old DSI lll color malfunctioned. In the meantime , I've been depressed due to the clear cooler and low humidity nights. So, I'm looking to get a CCD just for deep sky imaging with an 8 in. Newtonian @ f3.9 and 800 fl and I've got a Paracorr t2 , there are so many and I would like some advice? I've got some in mind but, ya'll comments are so helpful. Asi174MM, Qhy174mc . These are something I thought would be a good fit for my optics anymore cameras and why ? My CNA put the limit @ between $800-$1000. I'm handicapped and the easier to use the better and it's got to be able to fit an orion 5 filter fw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJenko Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I think you are pretty spot on with your chip choice. I'd go for one of the cooled versions for DSO work and I would also have a look at the smaller pixelled 178 as well, as you can bin for DSO and also use as a high res planetary cam with the 8" too. For that cash, you might find a second hand 8300 chip as well which is considerably bigger, but you may have to crop due to vignetting anyway with the Orion filter wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepping beyond Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 Thank you Matt , I've been researching , since my DSI lll color is near death @ the drs. trying to revive it . I've been trying to get my mind around what I should look for in a DS cooled camera . You say the Asi 178 cooled , would that give me larger pixels ? larger galaxies such as m31 or even m33 would I have to do a mosaic to get the whole galaxy? I had a looksee @ your site and let me say very impressive. My biggest problem is getting the filterwheel and cam configuration just right and balanced. SB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyE Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Well, I think (based on nothing but the vacuum between my ears) that the QHY sounds like it might be the better of the two. It mentions a heater for the sensor and lens. And has no fan. Might be an advantage, less parts. Hopefully those more astute in such things can clarify stats between the two. ASI or QHY Both are Monochrome, both cooled. Red, or Black? One thing holds me back about CMOS cameras. The time limit on the exposures. ASI states 1000s, QHY doesn't mention a time limit. My CCD is unlimited. I've run it out to 5K + seconds on a single exposure. But typically stay at 1800s or less. I admit I'm an odd duck doing my OSC long shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepping beyond Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 Sonny, you're a trip ! I considered the G3 but, lots of problems posted about those cameras . Have you had any problems with the software or the camera itself? The zwo has over 1" sensor and 78% QE and my Levenhuk T510NG is a 1/2.5" cmos it'll do bright dso's . I need mono and speed speed for lucky imaging in my LP skies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyE Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 On 12/17/2016 at 14:42, stepping beyond said: Sonny, you're a trip ! I considered the G3 but, lots of problems posted about those cameras . Have you had any problems with the software or the camera itself? The zwo has over 1" sensor and 78% QE and my Levenhuk T510NG is a 1/2.5" cmos it'll do bright dso's . I need mono and speed speed for lucky imaging in my LP skies. Sorry I didn't see this sooner Ronnie.... 1. First G3 was DOA. I tried and tried to figure out what I missed about the fan running. But the fan never ran. One call and the Tech on the phone said, "Wait, the fan doesn't run?" And they sent me a brand new camera with a return PP label for the defunct unit. All I kept was the new camera and returned the rest of the new cords and stuff. 2. I tried for months and months to get a picture out of G3 II. Best I could do was about 1/2 a picture. Every other line seemed to be dark. Like 1/2 the sensors were dead (Every other row). Finally wrote Orion and returned G3 II. They promptly sent a replacement. 3. So far, so good. G3 #III is alive and doing... ok. I have progressed in my ratty skills, and now able to get some decent focus, I am reaching happy... finally. But the advertised imaging prowess of this stuff is... crap. One has to climb the learning curve with each part and piece. It's maddening I tell you! Initially, I realized the FOV was just too tight. I went through hell trying 3 Focal Reducers. The last was one Orion offers specifically for the G3 camera. It screws right in the cameras nose and that is the correct back-focus for it. Nothing else required. I think it should be included. It's like buying a car that has a radio in it, then they make you figure out you need to buy the antenna for that car and that radio. In a world where cell phones are out of date by the time you buy it, this telescope stuff is back at Windoze Vista in it's intuitiveness (Maybe XP...). My AVX mount came with an ST4 to 9-pin serial adapter cord.... Hello, neither of my computers has a 9 pin socket, and my stuff is OLD. Celestron sent me a free adapter cord, but sorry, it did not get me out of their hair. Anyway, sorry to say, I don't think I can recommend the G3 as an option. It works, but I kind of think there might be better DS cameras available for the price range. The Orion Camera Studio software does have some interesting and cool features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepping beyond Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 Yea, the ratings and the forums have nothing nice to say about those g3 cams but, I had a starshoot ll that was my little beast on planetary . I just processed some archived data from June so check it out on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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