ZWO ASI 120MC-S USB 3.0 Colour Camera

[Beardy30]

Hi am I able to use the ZWO ASI 120MC-S USB 3.0 Colour Camera with the Nexstar 8se ? For moon shots and planets ? Or do I need to upgrade the mount first ? 

[Cosmic Geoff]

You can certainly use the ASI120MC camera with your C8. I used the USB2.0 version with mine for a while.  However you will find that using the C8 SE in this role is a pain, as it is intended as a lightweight visual scope and there is too much vibration and too much backlash for trouble-free imaging use.  

The heavier and more expensive CPC800 is ideal for planetary imaging and using it is a far more pleasant experience.  If you eventually decide to upgrade your C8's mount for planetary imaging, you'll be looking at mounts in the AVX, HEQ5 or AZEQ5 class, none of them cheap. You might also want to upgrade the camera to an ASI224 and get an ADC (atmosphere dispersion corrector).  Serious planetary imaging isn't cheap.

[Beardy30]

I’m not into it seriously just a few occasional shots - I’m sure the mount will be ok for that cheers 

[johninderby]

I’d try using a smartphone first and seeing what results you can get before buying a dedicated camera. You might decide it's worth getting a better camera.

This cheap smartphone holder works well and is the one used to take these single frame shots.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gosky-Binocular-Spotting-Smartphone-Adapter/dp/B075N8J438/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=smartphone+holder+telescope&qid=1587199333&refinements=p_76%3A419158031&rnid=419157031&rps=1&sr=8-6

 

Edited April 18, 2020 by johninderby

[Ronclarke]

Impressive images, better than some astro cams!! Well done! 👍

[Beardy30]

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

I’d try using a smartphone first and seeing what results you can get before buying a dedicated camera. You might decide it's worth getting a better camera.

This cheap smartphone holder works well and is the one used to take these single frame shots.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gosky-Binocular-Spotting-Smartphone-Adapter/dp/B075N8J438/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=smartphone+holder+telescope&qid=1587199333&refinements=p_76%3A419158031&rnid=419157031&rps=1&sr=8-6

Cracking idea 

[rickwayne]

I have a 120MC and it's a fine little guide camera, but between the noise and the low pixel count, it's awfully hard to get a good-looking shot with it. 

[rickwayne]

8 hours ago, Beardy30 said:

I’m not into it seriously just a few occasional shots - I’m sure the mount will be ok for that cheers 

A-HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHAHHAAAHAHA HA HA HA HA <wheeze> Oh yeah, that's what we all said too, thousands of dollars or pounds ago.