Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Astrophotography and Sketching >> Beginning Imaging Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 BrianFitz member Reged: 07/17/08 Posts: 57 Loc: Northern California How do you choose a CCD Camera?       #2699449 - 10/14/08 08:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Now that I have a better scope on the way, I have to ask my new found resources (you all) about how to choose a camera for astrophotos.... Many people say the DSI (type II / III / pro) are great cameras to start with. I've had others tell me that Meade does not support these little creatures should something go wrong. After a little investigation there are a plethora (SAT Word) of choices between $750 and $2000. Let's see; there's the Orion Starshoot series, the QHY8, Stellacam,of course the ST-402ME, Starlight express and I can go on. Now, I know that most "real pros use some sort of very expensive SBIG, so is getting a low-end 402 the answer? What gives you the most bang for the buck? Which one is easy to use and doesn't take a "rocket scientist" to figure out (nothing against rocket scientists)? I had a very famous person in the astronomy world (you all know who he is) tell me that his motto is to start with a good one and only buy once (the SBIG 402). I'm sure that many of you know the pros and cons of all these instruments and some have owned more than one if these cameras. So, I'll be using a new LX200R 10" on a wedge and most likely get a smaller scope to piggyback (that's another tread)and only have experience with a webcam. Like most, I'll shoot the planets and moon first because they're wonderful to look at and certainly move to DSO's in the near future. Where I live, we have many clear (very cold) winter nights (no snow) so I can continue throughout the winter. I appreciate your opinions and I'm cureious about your choices. -------------------- Fitz Meade LX200R 10" F/10 ~ "Supercharged" WO EP's / Televue diagonal New QHY8 Philips SPC 900 20X80 Celestron / 7X50 Meade Binos “Lots of "Dreams” “Someday, when I grow up…..” –know what; I don’t think I’ll ever grow up!;) Edited by BrianFitz (10/14/08 08:38 PM) Post Extras:       DaemonGPF Pooh-Bah Reged: 03/22/08 Posts: 1472 Loc: New Mexico Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: BrianFitz]       #2699486 - 10/14/08 08:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   We've talked a little bit about CCD cameras, so you kinda got my opinion on a few things. One thing I would say that I haven't mentioned is that I wish I had invested a bit more into a higher quality camera that would carry me for a while because I am not happy with my current cameras and will end up changing them out soon just like I did with my OTAs. So I would agree with your famous astronomy friend, buy something that will last you, but in the same breath, buy something that will work optimally with your current scope or potential scope upgrades in the future. The next cameras I buy will have to last me for a while, so I'm taking my time to make sure I buy correctly this time around. -------------------- -Josh *Orion Starblast Imaging 150mm OTA *Orion Starblast Imaging 114mm OTA *Meade 50mm AR short tube OTA *Meade DSI Pro IIc *Orion Starshoot DSCI *CG5 mount http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html My Messier Project Gallery Post Extras:       X-Lurker Underpaid Slacker Reged: 09/12/06 Posts: 617 Loc: N.W. Ark. Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: DaemonGPF]       #2699504 - 10/14/08 09:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Some of my hunting buddies always tell me that a guy should invest just as much or more in their scope as the rifle they hunt with...In other words, don't get a Polaroid disposable like I did! Edited by X-Lurker (10/14/08 09:05 PM) Post Extras:       DaemonGPF Pooh-Bah Reged: 03/22/08 Posts: 1472 Loc: New Mexico Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: X-Lurker]       #2699518 - 10/14/08 09:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I hear the same comment constantly from my shooting buddies. -------------------- -Josh *Orion Starblast Imaging 150mm OTA *Orion Starblast Imaging 114mm OTA *Meade 50mm AR short tube OTA *Meade DSI Pro IIc *Orion Starshoot DSCI *CG5 mount http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html My Messier Project Gallery Post Extras:       Doug6952 sage Reged: 07/24/08 Posts: 401 Loc: West Milford, NJ Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: DaemonGPF]       #2699592 - 10/14/08 10:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   eeannie, meanie, mineie, moe. Wait how much money do I have to spend? I'll take that one! I chose my camera (DSI pro 1) mostly due to price. If I had more $$$ I would have gotten something better to carry me further into AP before needing anything better. -------------------- Doug Sometimes I wonder......."Why is this frisbiee getting bigger" ...... Then it hits me! Orion EON 72mm Meade 8" starfinder Meade ETX 90 OTA CG-5 Advanced GT Mount DSI Pro III Orion SSAG Stellarvue F50 Baader LRGB and Ha filters Post Extras:       nofxrx Pooh-Bah Reged: 07/12/05 Posts: 1458 Loc: palm bay,florida Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: Doug6952]       #2699772 - 10/14/08 11:51 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well I didnt buy my ST-402 right off the bat starting out,but I did buy it with the intention of keeping it for a very long time(they make REAAAAALLLYY good AG'ers). Its a very sensitive cam,BUT for the same amount of money youcan get a OSC cam with ten times the FOV!!! And in my experience in starting out in AP(especially with your LX200R) FOV is right there with quality... Its a toss up,high(ish)-end "beginner" MONO-CCD,OR,a nice,OSC cam with a GREAT rep but with a massive FOV(compared to anything else in its price class)...the QHY8. If it were me,the QHY8.Even though you could keep a cam like the ST402 to AG your better cams in the future.you will want a bigger FOV for starting out.. My biggest gripe about these cams is the resale value is quite abit less than new($1100-1200 for the ST402),which is yet another reason why I will never be able to justify selling my ST-402(that I have only used once,but that one time proved to me why it costs what it does) ST402 First light Hope some of this helped -------------------- Brent Oliver 3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO... My Gallery Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!! Post Extras:       BrianFitz member Reged: 07/17/08 Posts: 57 Loc: Northern California Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: nofxrx]       #2699891 - 10/15/08 01:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As I just keep throwing money down this endless hobby, I figure I could spend about $1500 to $2000 as long as non of you guys tell my wife (I can always take it out of the college fund for my kids If I could spend less I would certainly entertain the device. So, if you could buy one today, what would you get? -------------------- Fitz Meade LX200R 10" F/10 ~ "Supercharged" WO EP's / Televue diagonal New QHY8 Philips SPC 900 20X80 Celestron / 7X50 Meade Binos “Lots of "Dreams” “Someday, when I grow up…..” –know what; I don’t think I’ll ever grow up!;) Post Extras:       Doug6952 sage Reged: 07/24/08 Posts: 401 Loc: West Milford, NJ Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: BrianFitz]       #2700034 - 10/15/08 07:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I would get either the latest orion star shoot 6 MP or the QHY8. If I had a bit more money I might think about getting the SBIG2000. -------------------- Doug Sometimes I wonder......."Why is this frisbiee getting bigger" ...... Then it hits me! Orion EON 72mm Meade 8" starfinder Meade ETX 90 OTA CG-5 Advanced GT Mount DSI Pro III Orion SSAG Stellarvue F50 Baader LRGB and Ha filters Post Extras:       DaemonGPF Pooh-Bah Reged: 03/22/08 Posts: 1472 Loc: New Mexico Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: Doug6952]       #2700095 - 10/15/08 08:18 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   +1 for the Starshoot 6MP. Getting 6MP for that price in a CCD is a good deal and has a great amount of capability. The only thing I'd prefer over something similar to that is a dual CCD camera, but I don't intend to drop that much cash for a while myself because they are rediculously expensive for the most part. -------------------- -Josh *Orion Starblast Imaging 150mm OTA *Orion Starblast Imaging 114mm OTA *Meade 50mm AR short tube OTA *Meade DSI Pro IIc *Orion Starshoot DSCI *CG5 mount http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html My Messier Project Gallery Post Extras:       nofxrx Pooh-Bah Reged: 07/12/05 Posts: 1458 Loc: palm bay,florida Re: How do you choose a CCD Camera? [Re: DaemonGPF]       #2700164 - 10/15/08 09:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The QHY8 is a (small) step above the Starshoot Pro...it has REGULATED cooling where the Orion does not... and IMO,very important.Also in a short while,with the release of thier new cam(QHY9)the price of the Q8 will be below or around the Starshoot Pro's price....hands down,IMO,like I said before,my choice would be the QHY8.. AND a Meade DSI for guiding.. my -------------------- Brent Oliver 3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO... My Gallery Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!! Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 8 registered and 9 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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