ASI120MC-S

[Beardy30]

Hi is the ASI120MC-S a good choice for a beginner and is it essential for have an eq Mount ? 

[Freddie]

Depends on what you want to image.

[Beardy30]

Ok - what is the above best for ? 

[Freddie]

Solar system.

Having also seen your DSLR question, you would be better off deciding what you actually want to do and then you can ask specific questions and get good advice on what’s needed. These somewhat vague questions are probably not helping you much.

Edited June 15, 2020 by Freddie

[Beardy30]

Bit rude ! 

[knobby]

14 minutes ago, Beardy30 said:

Bit rude ! 

Maybe but accurate, planetary (which the ASI 120 excells at) is very different to deep space.

[tooth_dr]

1 hour ago, Beardy30 said:

Ok - what is the above best for ? 

You are kinda asking the questions the wrong way around.  If you can decide what you would like to image then it will be easier to advise you correctly.   As Freddie correctly says this camera is designed for solar system use.  So if that's your goal then this would be ok.  What stage are you at in terms of mounts and scopes?

 

Adam

[Freddie]

41 minutes ago, Beardy30 said:

Bit rude ! 

Sorry you feel that why.

I helped by answering your question and based on your recent posts you appear to have an extremely limited knowledge on the subject so was just suggesting a better way for you to get some answers and guidance you clearly need.

[Paul M]

I've got the 120MM on order, mainly to use as a guide camera. It's got a small sensor so really only useful for small image scale subjects.

Look at the selection tool on this page: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/zwo-asi-120mm-mini-usb-20-mono-camera.html

You can change the telescope, camera and object to give a excellent guide to what the various combos offer, including DSLR's.

I've spent hours playing with it recently but that doesn't mean I've made the best choices!

[Wyvernp]

Beardy, as I understand you are using a Nexstar 8se and standard mount.  Being one of those that started imaging with this scope and mount I can tell you it's no picnic for deep sky. I've not had the chance to use it for planetary imaging.

I too was very new to astrophotography and I have researched and researched, from learning how cmos cameras work to how different scopes affect which sensor and pixel size to buy and I'm still very much a beginner but I'm happy to walk before I can run.

Reasonable images can be had with the 8se and standard mount, I used a micro 4/3 camera and a max of 10 sec exposure time for each image. (the 0.63 reducer works great too as it will reduce the required exposure time)

As freddie said deciding what type of imaging you want to do is incredibly important as it will influence what gear you invest in.

Just my 2p

Wyvern