Colour All-Sky camera and lens choice?

[Skipper Billy]

I am toying with the idea of a colour all sky camera.

I know mono gives better results / less light pollution / greater sensitivity etc but this will be just for monitoring sky conditions but mostly for aurora capture as we see it quite often 'up here'.

I am leaning towards a ASI 385MC and maybe a better quality and wider angle lens.

Any suggestions, comments, pointers on cameras and lenses??

I am quite happy with making an enclosure, dew control etc etc is just camera choice that's confusing me !!

 

[Dr_Ju_ju]

I'm in the process of building one as well, but using some redundant QHY cameras.

I have the 'stock' lenses that came with the QHY and my ASI cameras, but I've also bought a Fujinon DF1.4HB-L1 Fish Eye "C" Mount Lens  (from the Bay, but I'm not sure they are still available) and an Arecont Vision CS-Mount 1.55mm from the States (as recommended by a Mr Steve Richards of this very Parish....)

So far I like the Arecont, for its smaller size and pin sharp images, but time will tell...

[Skipper Billy]

Thanks Julian

I have read good things about both those lenses - weird that we cant get the Arecont in the UK ??

Good luck with the build !

 

[AngryDonkey]

I think the ASI178MC is a great all-sky camera. There are a few of us using it with the AllSkEye app and images come out really well with the higher resolution and format of the chip. I'm currently using the stock lens but there are better options from Fujinon.

There is some good info in this blog post: https://blog.orionranchobservatory.com/new-all-sky-camera/

And here is site which shows the 178MC in action (with a Fujinon lens): https://www.astropage.nl/weather/

 

[Skipper Billy]

Cheers Mike.

Do you know where to get the Fujinon lens in the UK ??

 

[AngryDonkey]

Hello,

Sorry just been browsing through my older posts and realised I never replied to this! I bought mine at ENS optical but it was used and they only had one piece (although there might be similar second hand models available).

Mike

[Jonk]

This might help... https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/298098-another-allsky-camera-build/

I started with a small GP Cam and basic lens, but upgraded both to do exactly what you're interested in.

Here's a daytime sample, no processing: