Telescope Reviews: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrome

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Jim Chung
Vendor - Icodome

Reged: 12/07/05

Loc: Toronto

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: fetoma]
#5686296 - 02/18/13 12:41 AM Attachment (29 downloads)

Had some nice clear skies tonight so I tested a newly converted D7000 for a client in Rome. This is the very large Rosette Nebula. You can see a full sized center cropped version here:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4852049/RosetteNikonD7000b.jpg

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Jim Chung
Vendor - Icodome

Reged: 12/07/05

Loc: Toronto

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Jim Chung]
#5686298 - 02/18/13 12:42 AM Attachment (31 downloads)

Here's a center crop at 100%, no dark subtraction was used since I couldn't really see any thermal noise, a very quiet SONY CMOS sensor.

Edited by Jim Chung (02/18/13 12:43 AM)

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Brad
member

Reged: 07/21/05

Loc: Mid-West

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Jim Chung]
#5686728 - 02/18/13 10:15 AM

Looks great!

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jb300
newbie

Reged: 01/13/11

Loc: Arizona

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom [Re: Jim Chung]
#5710947 - 03/03/13 04:28 PM Attachment (34 downloads)

Hi Jim, I have sort of figured out how to use the monofied Nikon d90 I purchased on my Hyperstar lens equipped N11GPS. I am taking 30 second subs with an Ha Astronomik EOS clip-filter inserted sideways in the Nikon body. Now, 30 seconds is not very long for an Ha image, but I have gotten some decent results. I am not real proficient at processing images, I am just learning, but I am proud of my results and very happy with my monofied camera. I am amazed at the sensitivity the d90 is showing. Just thought you would like to know. I have attached one of my latest images. It is of ngc2359, Thors Helmet, and is a stack of 30 second Ha subs taken with my Hyperstar lens. Thanks for the great camera.
Jim

Edited by jb300 (03/03/13 04:33 PM)

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Campos
member

Reged: 12/26/12

Loc: Portugal

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: jb300]
#5711976 - 03/04/13 06:26 AM

Hi guys,

This is historical....to all that said that it could NEVER be done, remember that when the Wrigth brothers said that man would fly everyone said that they were nuts! Never understimate human ingenuity, remember this.
I cant wait to see more results, please keep us updated of your work.

Best wishes,

Luís

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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/09/03

Loc: Nor Cal

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Campos]
#5712182 - 03/04/13 09:58 AM

Jim,
Great work! What available cams do you have in inventory?

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Jim Chung
Vendor - Icodome

Reged: 12/07/05

Loc: Toronto

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Ricky]
#5712715 - 03/04/13 03:09 PM

Hey Ricky,

Since I've moved my conversion to current Nikon DSLR models I've discovered with increasing pixel density comes increasing complexity and danger! I've had success (and failure) on the D90, D5100 and D7000. The D90 is the easiest but the sensor on D5100/D7000 exhibits incredible low noise performance. I'm basically converting cameras on a per order basis but have to stress that you have to be prepared to risk your investment in case of failure (at which I will not charge for my services). This is not meant to be a cheap alternative to dedicated monochrome astrocameras but to give you a DSLR that can shoot in monochrome and all the advantages a DSLR gives (like real IR photography).

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guyroch
Vendor (BackyardEOS)

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: 3rd rock from the sun, Canada

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Jim Chung]
#5714086 - 03/05/13 10:02 AM

I've been at the receiving end of a success D5100 mono conversion from Jim... but with every new gear comes the cloud spell. My monofied D5100 has yet to see first light

Guylain

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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/09/03

Loc: Nor Cal

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: guyroch]
#5714821 - 03/05/13 04:28 PM

Thanks Jim!

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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/09/03

Loc: Nor Cal

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Ricky]
#5714850 - 03/05/13 04:40 PM

Jim,
Keep us up to date on your camera inventory...im leaning towards picking one up from you!

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fetoma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/26/06

Loc: Southern New Jersey

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Ricky]
#5733029 - 03/14/13 09:27 PM

And your QHY8 adventure Jim!

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starhunter50
member

Reged: 09/08/10

Loc: Englehart Ontario 48N , 78W

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: fetoma]
#5755070 - 03/24/13 09:58 PM

Q? what are you guys using for capture software being a Nikon DSLR? or are you just using the Cards?
Mitch.

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guyroch
Vendor (BackyardEOS)

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: 3rd rock from the sun, Canada

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: starhunter50]
#5755083 - 03/24/13 10:07 PM

Quote:

Q? what are you guys using for capture software being a Nikon DSLR? or are you just using the Cards?
Mitch.

I'm using an intervalometer for now but I'm working on BackyardNIK for Nikon cameras; I'm aiming towards end of calendar year 2013 for a beta release.

I'm really loving my D5100 monosensor camera.

Guylain

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*skyguy*
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/31/08

Loc: Western New York

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Jim Chung]
#5757274 - 03/26/13 12:02 AM

The M42 and Rosette images seem to show significant background brightness variations that mimic nebulosity, but are not actual nebulous parts of these objects and appear to be imaging artifacts. Could this be a byproduct of the process used to remove the color filter layer or possibly frost forming on the imaging sensor?

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Cyclop_si
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/13/08

Loc: Slovenia

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: *skyguy*]
#5759493 - 03/27/13 01:32 AM

Hi Skyguy,
Can you be more exact which background brightness variations you consider as imaging artefacts?
I have visually compared above image with this one, which I randomly find on internet and looked deep to me:
http://www.aznightsky.com/images/M42%20900-5.jpg
but I can not detect it.

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Jim Chung
Vendor - Icodome

Reged: 12/07/05

Loc: Toronto

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Cyclop_si]
#5780217 - 04/05/13 05:34 PM

Just delivered a Nikon D90 and a D5100 to two new users!

Skyguy, I think that there is not complete uniformity in the Bayer layer removal process but the use of flat frame subtraction should address this. These cameras are not intended to replaced dedicated cooled mono astro cameras.

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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Jim Chung]
#5783018 - 04/07/13 01:40 AM

BTW Jim. Someone I know bought a Maxmax (as you know those are quite expensive). They also don't have complete uniformity in the removal of the Bayer filter. Particularly at the edges of the sensor but even across the center there can be some banding.

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Jim Chung
Vendor - Icodome

Reged: 12/07/05

Loc: Toronto

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: orlyandico]
#5783505 - 04/07/13 10:38 AM

Thanks, that's good to know!

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JustinLT
member

Reged: 07/25/12

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: Jim Chung]
#5796717 - 04/13/13 02:30 PM

The rosette nebula picture is stunning and this option would be clearly a no brainer for someone, who cannot afford expensive mono CCD (well, APS-C size mono camera costs a fortune for sure), but...
The whole picture looks like it would be taken through some clouds or there is something split on the sensor. On the edges of the nebula (apparently it is all over the picture) there are some artificial nebulosity, that shouldn't be there or at least look like that, according to all the pictures on the internet taken with CCD. I wonder what is it. In other case I would be already ordering the camera.

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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: Icodome now converting DSLRs to true monochrom new

[Re: JustinLT]
#5796729 - 04/13/13 02:38 PM

the artificial nebulosity is due to non-perfect removal of the bayer sensor. as i noted above, even the $2000 maxmax mono DSLRs have these issues.

i think a flat could get rid of them. you really have no choice if you want a cheap APS-C mono sensor.

Jim, do you think you could post an image that has been processed with flats? i'm sure everyone wants to know how bad the non-uninformity is and if it can be removed. i see no reason why not.

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