SPC900NC vs DFK 21AU04.AS

[Sammyb]

Hello - I have been trying some planetary imaging using the SPC900NC camera with my 8" reflector and getting some OK results.

I was thinking about upgrading to a DFK 21AU04.AS.

Will I be able to achieve better results using the DFK 21AU04.AS?

Thanks,

Sam

[Cornelius Varley]

The advantage the DFK has over the SPC900 is the frame rate. Both caneras use the same sensor but the DFK has a maximum frame rate of 60fps compared to 10fps for the SPC900 with compression. This means you can shoot at least 10 times as many frames as the SPC900 in the same time span for processing later in Registax.

Peter

[Sammyb]

Thanks Peter - would the higher frame rate lead to better quality images?

I have attached recent images I have got using the SPC900NC. Woukd the DFK improve on this?

[spaceboy]

BUMP!

[riklaunim]

Old DFK would give you:

- no compression

- 30 FPS

If you want to buy a new one - get the newer DFK21AU618 to get:

- 60 FPS

- noticeably higher sensitivity

Or mono DMK21AU618 to be able to do even more advanced imaging.

[spaceboy]

Or mono DMK21AU618 to be able to do even more advanced imaging.

Advanced in what way ? Do you have to use filter wheels for colour and is there any advantages of doing it that way or just a load of hassle ???

[riklaunim]

You can optimize capture of each channel, but the mono gives advantage of using fourth luminance filter (usually IR passing filter) to get much better LRGB image.

Also for Venus you can use UV filters (where color sensors are nearly totally blind to UV) and so on

[spaceboy]

How would a DFK 21AU04.AS compare to a QHY5v ?

[riklaunim]

How would a DFK 21AU04.AS compare to a QHY5v ?

DFK would have less noise and better software

[spaceboy]

One last question. Can you use the DFK colour as a guide scope ?

[riklaunim]

Yes, it's doable, but the mount must be connected to the computer.

[Freddie]

I use my DBK21 as a guide cam with ST80 no problems.

[spaceboy]

Thank you for all the info

[spaceboy]

Sorry...I forgot to ask, do you need IR/UV filters with the DFK 21AU04.AS Colour as I take it they don't come with them as standard ???

[riklaunim]

DFK are IR/UV blocked by default and don't need extra filters, DBK is not (so you can put Baader/other better IR/UV cut filter)

[cgarry]

Even though the DFK has a built in filter I found I had to put a clear filter at the end of the nosepiece to stop dust settling on the filter. Because the built in filter is so close to the sensor, each bit of dust shows up in the individual frames if the light from the planet falls on it.

Cheers,

Chris

[spaceboy]

Thank you.