Adam S
super member
Reged: 12/21/05
Posts: 192
Loc: Gunnison, Colorado
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Correct me if I'm wrong; but these cameras still require a laptop to control them. IMO this is really the strongest argument to use a DSLR over a CCD-a decision that becomes harder to make with CCD cameras at this price. Amazing what is available at these prices relative to several years ago.
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Adam S.
TEC 140
Tak FS 102 NSV
Coronado SM 60
Tak EM 200
Denk II
TEC Turret
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 6133
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.38 X 90....
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Quote:
Correct me if I'm wrong; but these cameras still require a laptop to control them. IMO this is really the strongest argument to use a DSLR over a CCD-a decision that becomes harder to make with CCD cameras at this price. Amazing what is available at these prices relative to several years ago.
That was my rationale until I noticed that I had a 350D in the focuser and there was STILL a laptop sitting there in front of me guiding the mount. So...I sold the 350D and bought a QHY-8. Yes, it's a few extra cables, but there's those velcro straps to control everything. 
David
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A few scopes and mounts.
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
Life expectancies would go WAY up if green vegetables smelled like bacon...
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Adam S
super member
Reged: 12/21/05
Posts: 192
Loc: Gunnison, Colorado
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If you've already got the laptop out there... you're right why not.
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Adam S.
TEC 140
Tak FS 102 NSV
Coronado SM 60
Tak EM 200
Denk II
TEC Turret
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 5060
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I've found CCD and DSLR imaging to be two different experiences and I like having options depending on wha I'm goig after and what mood I'm in. Where the difference become important is when you're going after a specific target that pushes your equipment to the edge, and the edge for purpose-built CCDs tends to be a little further out than for DSLRs (and in some cases a lot further out depending on the camera). In my particular case (imaging from my mag 3-4ish back yard) CCDs and DSLRs are on a fairly even playing field. If I were imaging from a dark sky site were you could routinely go really deep the differences would be more significant.
It's fun to have options.
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-John
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Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro, DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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jilldwr
member
Reged: 02/17/06
Posts: 80
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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I went to the U.S. dealer for QHY here:
https://www.ccd-labs.com/eshop.htm
but they don't carry the QHY-8? Is the Q453HR its replacement?
Darrell
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Celestron C8/ 90mm Flourite Triplet/6"F5 Newt-Astrograph/WO66
Losmandy GM100/ Custom Designed GEM
Orion Autoguider/ Canon 350T DSLR/STI Stiletto
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jilldwr/
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Strgazr27
Scope Junkie
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 5747
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Darrell,
Welcome to CN's. Yes the 435 is the same camera with a few minor changes to the electronics. Same body, same chip, same performance!
CS's
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StonyHill Observatory
CGE
TMB 130SS
TMB 80SS CF
AT-111
AT66-ED
Vixen R200SS
QHY-8
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
YAHOO ASTRO-TECH GROUP
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Tonk
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/19/04
Posts: 3420
Loc: Leeds, UK, 54N
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Is there a UK supplier? Q453HR only hits ccd-labs and cloudynights!
Oh OK that is a QHY8 modified for the US market
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Televue 85, GM-8/Gemini, Canon 10D
Coronado SM60/BF10, Baader Herschel Wedge
Leeds Sky Clock Ripon Sky Clock
Edited by Tonk (05/18/08 04:17 AM)
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Fabio Papa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 1020
Loc: Piacenza, Italy
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Tonk, that camera is being renamed by every countrys distributor, it seems. Here in italy it's sold under the MagZero brand. I seem to recall the qhy page (not ccd-labs) had a list of international reseller / rebranding, but the site seems down now (www.coolccd.com).
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Fabio Papa
Celestron C8 F/10
Vixen ED81SWT F/7.7
Orion Atlas EQ-G
Gruppo Astrofili di Piacenza
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Fabio Papa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 1020
Loc: Piacenza, Italy
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I found it: www.modernastronomy.com is the site listed for UK.
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Fabio Papa
Celestron C8 F/10
Vixen ED81SWT F/7.7
Orion Atlas EQ-G
Gruppo Astrofili di Piacenza
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Tonk
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/19/04
Posts: 3420
Loc: Leeds, UK, 54N
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Cheers, Fabio - bookmarked for when I've got some money again
OK excellent DSS can debayer QHY8 images - that makes me happy. However to debayer one frame DSS has to pretend its calibrating and stacking a single image!!
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=727.new
And how geeky MaximDL appears to be when it comes to debayering with this offset X/Y stuff!!
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Televue 85, GM-8/Gemini, Canon 10D
Coronado SM60/BF10, Baader Herschel Wedge
Leeds Sky Clock Ripon Sky Clock
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Mr B
member
Reged: 01/31/06
Posts: 27
Loc: Southern California
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One of the big factors for our decision is simply the 40D is not restricted to the telescope.
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Fabio Papa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 1020
Loc: Piacenza, Italy
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Yes, that's been discussed even earlier. However, we're talking ccd here, so obviously you have no daytime photos, at least not as easily as with a DSLR.
Another point to be considered is construction. Many on qhyccd forum have reported the formation of frost. That's not nice, and it's a indication of poor design. Another thing is it seems the construction itself changes without major notice or announcement. Someone received an interchangeable filter camera, someone had the ir/cut filter glued. That's a major feature. Can someone who has the camera shed more light on this aspect? Is your filter removeable or interchangeable with something else, eg. LP filters?
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Fabio Papa
Celestron C8 F/10
Vixen ED81SWT F/7.7
Orion Atlas EQ-G
Gruppo Astrofili di Piacenza
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Strgazr27
Scope Junkie
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 5747
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Quote:
Another point to be considered is construction. Many on qhyccd forum have reported the formation of frost. That's not nice, and it's a indication of poor design.
Actually the reports of frost have become almost non-existant at this point and if they do occur it's usually been found to be operator error. A few were also the result of the camera being positioned with the optical window in a diownward facing position on some Newts which allowed the super cooled air to pool on the window which of course will cause frosting. A few were also brought about by using more than 12V to the cooler dropping temps further below what the camera was designed for. It should also be noted that if it's left on long enough the frost usually clears itself. Realize even SBIG cameras will frost and will need to have their dessicant packs recharged after a certain point.
Quote:
Another thing is it seems the construction itself changes without major notice or announcement. Someone received an interchangeable filter camera, someone had the ir/cut filter glued. That's a major feature. Can someone who has the camera shed more light on this aspect? Is your filter removeable or interchangeable with something else, eg. LP filters?
Quihy has posted about most major changes to the camera from what I have seen. You can request "No Filter" or his version of the IR/Cut filter. I think you may also be speaking of several changes that are carried out by the dealers. CCDLabs does a redesign on the camera as far as powering the camera and removing a cable (The reason I cannot find out) and purges with Argon while Starizona purges with Nitrogen.
One also needs to realize that sometimes when you use a product on the cutting edge at times there is a little bleeding so to speak. I feel at this point the QHY is a proven performer (Joe G and Gerhard as well as those using it with the Hyperstar system are proof of this. I had a 5 minute first light with the camera last night and found focusing to be no harder than with the 40D it just took a bit longer as the camera has no "Live View" function but once focused was very easy to use with both Nebulosity as well as the current version of MaximDL.
This is the offiicial first sub with the camera. Gain of 10/Offset of 120, 1/100 second exposure with the TMB130SS. Converted in IPv3, levels in PSCS2. It's a little blown out but as I said I had about a 5 minute window between storms/clouds and rain last night.
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StonyHill Observatory
CGE
TMB 130SS
TMB 80SS CF
AT-111
AT66-ED
Vixen R200SS
QHY-8
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
YAHOO ASTRO-TECH GROUP
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Fabio Papa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 1020
Loc: Piacenza, Italy
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Thanks for the info. No live view? I thought the focusing procedure was about the same. I also read that the camera is capable of 1/1000 sec, so I thought you would put it in some sort of continuous mode, just like a webcam, to focus. Isn't this the case?
Sorry for the questions, but you seem so kind... 
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Fabio Papa
Celestron C8 F/10
Vixen ED81SWT F/7.7
Orion Atlas EQ-G
Gruppo Astrofili di Piacenza
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