Atik 383L+, anyone got one yet?

[Euan]

I'm getting more and more intrigued by the camera but can't find any reviews yet

Has anyone got one and tried it out yet? I'm really keen to see how it deals with the various issues that have plagued the QHY9

From reading the info it looks like they have spent a lot of time designing neat ways around the problems, here is the part about the shutter:

Shutters present a particular challenge in camera design. Being moving mechanical parts they can be subject to some reliability issues. Up to this point all the Atik cameras have used interline CCDs that have electronic shutters. The Atik 383L+ uses a full frame CCD and requires the use of a mechanical shutter. Rather than design this in-house, which would require an extended period of testing to determine reliability, we have sourced a shutter from a established company specialising in exactly this kind of device. This will help to ensure the long term reliability of the Atik 383L+

Also the dreaded moisture issue that meant fitting a heater board in the QHY9:

The CCD chamber is kept moisture free by using extremely efficient molecular sieves as desiccant. These will last years in normal use, and when they need replacement it’s a simple job not requiring the camera to be opened.

There's also the temptation to switch to 1.25" filters and save a load of money, but from what I've read the opinion on whether or not it works without vignetting is pretty split. A case of getting it as close to the CCD as possible I suppose

Coming in at the same price as the mono QHY9 is also going to be a game changer for a lot of people (like me), as the major advantage with QHY is the price, with other same chip CCD's being sometimes £1k more. Maybe the QHY9 will now drop even lower?

[FLO]

A number of SGL members have received their 383L+ cameras so I think we can expect feedback and pix soon ... weather permitting.

We will also soon know whether 1.25" filters will suffice (we are ordering more 2" filters and wheels in anticipation...)

Steve

[Beyond_Vision]

Just waiting for the clouds to part to try it out. I have loaded all the software for the CCD and Atik filter wheel. Tried out the sequencer in the atik capture software and all seems ok. Sorted out Astroart 4 with latest service pack and CCD plug in all works with both CCD and Filter wheel. I have just got to set up the spacing for my new TS coma corrector and bolt the imaging train together today.

Of course the weather will be pants for the Bank Holiday as usual :s

Regards

Kevin

[TimWebster]

Managed one imaging session with mine.

B+W only as did not have filters at the time.

M81 imaged with Celeston C8 + 6.3 reducer. (North is down)

Effective focal length ~1800mm as reducer was fairly close to chip

Average of 16x2min exposures with a DDP filter to bring out detail in M81 galaxy.

Autoguided with ED80/Meade DSI/PHD

Hardware/Software worked perfectly, used Astroart for focussing and Artemis Capture for imaging.

Full size image available at http://www.timothywebster.co.uk/astroimages/M81_Atik.jpg

Filters (1.25 inch) now ready just waiting for a clear night to test them out.

Tim

[moocher]

I think from the looks of this image there going to be selling quite a few 383s!!!!!!

Alan:)

[Talos]

Hi!

I am currently waiting the second batch delivery of May to receive my 383.

I agree, we would all like to see deep sky pictures as well as pictures of the camera itself!

Talos

[roundycat]

I saw a picture of the shutter on the Atik website (I think) and it appears to be a 'French flag' style or semaphore shutter rather than the SBIG rotating device or a Synchro Compur. I wonder what the effect of this will be when taking relatively short exposure flats. Could be some obscure uneven exposure effects.

Dennis

[ollypenrice]

I saw a picture of the shutter on the Atik website (I think) and it appears to be a 'French flag' style or semaphore shutter rather than the SBIG rotating device or a Synchro Compur. I wonder what the effect of this will be when taking relatively short exposure flats. Could be some obscure uneven exposure effects.

Dennis

Good point, Dennis but I wonder why the flag is considered french??

I trust Atik are going to use a black one...

Olly

[Euan]

I trust Atik are going to use a black one...

I protest this, I want a smeary saltire on my flats

[Euan]

Just to add fuel to the fire of the 1.25" filters debate, I just noticed this on the Atik USA website

The camera can be used with either the EFW-U or our new EFW2 and Off Axis Guider (coming soon). For focal ratios of f/5 and above, standard 1.25 inch filters can be used without vignetting. Faster focal ratios will need flat-field correction or 36mm filters.