Testing the Atik 490EX

[SyedT]

I recently purchased an Atik 490EX second-hand to see what CCD imaging is like, as I've only ever used CMOS cameras. I spent last night doing short imaging runs on various targets without any filters (7x36 mm carousel for the EFW2 is currently on order). The noise levels are very impressive, giving clean images which require minimal noise reduction, and the chip is very sensitive. Any bad columns/vignetting processes out very easily. I've probably overcooked these images in terms of processing, as I was seeing how much detail I can pull out of a short total imaging time.

Equipment:

Takahashi FSQ-85EDX 
Atik 490EX + Atik EFW2 (No filters used)
Feathertouch FTF3015B-A Focuser + Pegasus FocusCube
Lodestar + Primaluce Lab 60 mm Guidescope
Avalon M-Uno Fast Reverse 
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox + Anker 7-port USB hub
PoleMaster
Software: SGPro, PHD2, PoleMaster, Stellarium

M31: 60x60s = 1 hour
M33: 60x60s = 1 hour
Dark, flat and bias frames applied
Processed in AstroPixelProcessor & Pixinsight (including StarNet for star removal)
Bortle 5 skies

 

 

[newbie alert]

Very nice, that's the camera that I'm after once I've saved enough... impressive ..