Beginner Imaging Camera

[Andy_Gavin84]

Hi All

Whats everyone's opinion on a beginner eyepiece camera, would be for planetary viewing/imaging

I've got Skywatcher explorer 150p eq3-2

Is the Orion StarShoot USB Eyepiece Camera II anygood to begin with? I've been reading mixed reviews... or do I go ZWO route? I don't want to spend too much right now, maybe upto roughly 150 GBP

 

Thanks in advance

[Padraic M]

Hi, for planetary viewing/imaging, I don't have the Orion Starshoot, but I think it is a usb webcam, and I found webcams (logitech, MS Lifecam etc.) to be very frustrating. They're fine for capturing rough images of what you're viewing so from that point of view are good for the money. They won't do the more interesting deep-sky objects.

I went for a ZWO 290mm Mini (mono) as a step on the way to a more sophisticated DSO imaging camera, and the 290 mini is now my guide camera.

You could look at https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32811962129.html the T7C, as a cheap colour alternative, a lot of folks on here use it and like it. Otherwise the ZWO ASI120MC is a cheap intro to the ZWO world.

[CraigT82]

This is s very good camera for the money...

https://www.altairastro.com/altair-gpcam2-224c-colour-guide--imaging--eaa-camera-34-p.asp

Its USB 2 rather than USB 3 so frame rates won't be as high but its a fantastic sensor for planetary imaging. 

[Andy_Gavin84]

thank you both for the comments and suggestions, ill take a look at them all.

The bug has hit me hard, have been doing lots of visuals through the scope but find myself wanting that bit more each time 🤣