Help! Camara Specialised vs DSLR

[Paul73]

Hi Folks

I’d all but settled on a second hand Modded Canon D650 or D700 to pair with an Skywatcher ED72 (with FF) on EQ5(tracking), until I saw Louise’s “Camara Choice” thread. I’m new to imaging (visual only so far) and would like to capture a few of the more accessible DSO. A shiny new ZWO ASI 290MC USB 3.0 which about the same price as the modded DSLR.

My thought process on seeing the ZWO in my price bracket, started along the lines of, specialist normally beats generalist........and is is red....and shiny..... So I thought tha I’d ask you guys’ opinion?

Modded SLR or ZWO 290MC?

Paul

[Owmuchonomy]

Check the FOV tools and it will show you the chip sizes of these two cameras are vastly different.  Work back from the objects you wish to image and then work out which camera fits the bill that way.

[vlaiv]

No, don't do that.

Small sensor cmos "dedicated" cameras are not replacement for DSLR.

There are cases when you want to get such camera - like when you need guider / planetary fast camera, or EAA camera - something that is light weight but has small sensor. Or perhaps you have set of filters and want to give mono + filters a go, but then again - there are better models (larger sensor).

True step up in terms of dedicated cameras over DSLR would be either large mono version, or cooled camera / or combination.

Large format color CMOS dedicated camera without cooling can be better option than DSLR in certain aspects, but it has drawbacks as well. Positive side is less read noise, no need for modding, easier mounting, smaller weight. Negative sides would be the price, astro use only and need for laptop to operate.

[Knight of Clear Skies]

The 290MC is primarily a planetary camera. It can be used to image DSOs but the sensor is just 1/3", the field of view would be very small. If someone already has one and wants to have a go at DSO imaging that would make a lot of sense, but it couldn't normally be recommended as a primary DSO camera. That said, there are some niche applications for these cameras such as the 'lucky imaging' method on DSOs.

[Thalestris24]

Hi Paul

? my name being taken in vain! Ha ha. Let it be known I've been looking for a mono high qe (=sensitive) camera for eaa (=short exposure) live stacking purposes. That's different from doing relatively long exposure (=hours) with a large sensor and with much stacking and post processing. If you want to get a dedicated, cooled astro camera then you're likely talking about lots more money than a basic dslr. And you have to choose between a mono (=generally better) and a colour (=simple and convenient for taking images) sensor. You want one to match your focal length and suited to the targets you have in mind. The ed72 is quite a short focal length so combined with a dslr will give a biggish fov.

Louise

ps I've kindov settled on an ASI178mm but was also looking at the altair astro gpcam2 290

[Anthonyexmouth]

Iv'e got the 290mc, as others have said it's a small chip/high frame rate camera thats primarily for planetary video imaging. 

[Paul73]

Thanks folks. I’ll resort to Plan A - DSLR!!

The lucky imaging looks outrageous. 5 second subs. Should be able to manage that with my 16” Dob on a driven wedge.......  Getting a bit ahead of myself again??.

Thanks for your advice. 

Paul

[vlaiv]

2 minutes ago, Paul73 said:

Thanks folks. I’ll resort to Plan A - DSLR!!

The lucky imaging looks outrageous. 5 second subs. Should be able to manage that with my 16” Dob on a driven wedge.......  Getting a bit ahead of myself again??.

Thanks for your advice. 

Paul

That is something that you should definitively try out - simple uncooled camera with very low read noise can be really interesting option for such large scope and very short exposures. Check out these done with such setups:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/502370-4-second-exposures-asi174mm-16-dob-m51-and-m57/

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/536494-m51-in-poor-seeing-20001s-asi1600mm-cool/

[Thalestris24]

2 minutes ago, Paul73 said:

Thanks folks. I’ll resort to Plan A - DSLR!!

The lucky imaging looks outrageous. 5 second subs. Should be able to manage that with my 16” Dob on a driven wedge.......  Getting a bit ahead of myself again??.

Thanks for your advice. 

Paul

Of course, if you ever fancy doing eaa / live stacking then a 178 sensor might be ok

Louise