592 replies to this topic

[Ain Soph Aur]

Are you guys using an IR Cut filter with the ASI294 Pro?

 

Since my mount is 200+ feet away from the house I have become totally dependent on usb focusers, filter wheels and especially a usb hub that allows remote individual port reset especially on cold winter nights.  Also important is a dark filter in the filter wheel for dark subs. I ordered a 2” filter carousel for the SX USB filter wheel, luckily OPT had them in stock and they aren’t too expensive. Besides dark filter and possibly an IR Cut, I don’t believe I will be using any other filters with a OSC.

Edited by Ain Soph Aur, 18 October 2017 - 11:41 AM.

[Astrojedi]

Brandon,

I am using an Astronomik CLS filter (without IR cut). But with your Mak Newt and darker skies I think the IR filter should produce some crisp images. Looking forward to seeing your results.

 

Hiten

[Astrojedi]

Here are some single unstacked 30s exposures. C8 @ F2, ASI294MC Pro, Astronomik CLS filter, SharpCap Pro v3. Cooling Temp -10degC.

 

I also tried using flats in SharpCap but they had very little effect. Unfortunately the vignetting is still pretty strong due to the light pollution and the not so good transparency. I think results at dark skies will be quite exceptional.

 

Overall this camera produces such incredibly clean images (except the few hot pixels that I notice) that I am not even bothering with stacking.

 

*Click for full Size*

 

EDIT:

Note: All these images are x2 bin

 

M31 1x30s

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by Astrojedi, 18 October 2017 - 11:31 PM.

[Astrojedi]

NGC7000 North American Nebula 1x30s (Same Setup as above) - Really had to compress this file which is hurting image quality. See image on Flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4gdWoH

 

Edited by Astrojedi, 18 October 2017 - 03:11 PM.

[Astrojedi]

Pelican 1x30s - Also heavily compressed to fit CN size limits

 

[Astrojedi]

Bubble 1x30s

 

[Astrojedi]

I noticed that once I upload the file it seems CN further shrinks it. The uploaded images really look very soft. On the flip side, surprisingly the extreme JPG compression makes the hot pixels disappear and smooths out the image.

 

I will try to upload these images to flickr as well.

[mega256]

This camera with its single frames looks very good...

When I stack a few its just slightly better...I'm going to have to play
with my stacking in sharpcap....I bet if we used astrotoaster/dss it might pop the images ?

Also no filters on my pics.
Also might be time to start a new post...this one is very long.


Bob

Edited by mega256, 18 October 2017 - 12:50 PM.

[A. Viegas]

Lets keep this one going as its still the main source of information on this new camera  and as questions come up it will be good to keep them in a single thread.  just my  

[Ain Soph Aur]

Lets keep this one going as its still the main source of information on this new camera  and as questions come up it will be good to keep them in a single thread.  just my  

I agree..

[Ain Soph Aur]

I will try to upload these images to flickr as well.

Looking forward to that!

[Koinonos]

The ASI294MC is officially available from ZWO now, apologies if this is a duplicate post somewhere else in the EAA forum - https://astronomy-im...94mc-pro-color/  . The specs compared to the also excellent 1600MC look very good, such as a larger pixel size from 3.83 to 4.63 for those of us in EAA.  The well depth is increased from 21k to 63k

 

Woohoo!!

[Ain Soph Aur]

That well depth is pretty insane. Too bad there will be no mono version of this sensor!

Edited by Ain Soph Aur, 18 October 2017 - 02:02 PM.

[DSO_Viewer]

This camera with its single frames looks very good...

When I stack a few its just slightly better...I'm going to have to play
with my stacking in sharpcap....I bet if we used astrotoaster/dss it might pop the images ?

Also no filters on my pics.
Also might be time to start a new post...this one is very long.


Bob

Are you under dark skies Bob for those recent images with your 294?

 

Steve

[Astrojedi]

The ASI294MC is officially available from ZWO now, apologies if this is a duplicate post somewhere else in the EAA forum - https://astronomy-im...94mc-pro-color/  . The specs compared to the also excellent 1600MC look very good, such as a larger pixel size from 3.83 to 4.63 for those of us in EAA.  The well depth is increased from 21k to 63k

 

Woohoo!!

This whole thread is about the ASI294MC so your post may be just a little redundant  : )

 

This camera is significantly more sensitive than the ASI1600 Color. Dynamic range is pretty incredible if you think about it as it delivers over 13 stops of DR at a read noise less than 2e. Which is why single captures are so clean and noise free yet have full dynamic range.

 

There is no competition. I would buy this hands down any day vs. the ASI1600 Color. If you want mono then you cannot beat the ASI1600MM Cool.

[Astrojedi]

This camera with its single frames looks very good...

When I stack a few its just slightly better...I'm going to have to play
with my stacking in sharpcap....I bet if we used astrotoaster/dss it might pop the images ?

Also no filters on my pics.
Also might be time to start a new post...this one is very long.


Bob

Yes, better image processing tools will definitely help bring out the signal captured.

 

I see even more of an improvement when stacking. You have to remember the the full well is very deep and it has a 14bit ADC. So you need to stretch that image if using short exposures.

 

Here is a 300s stacked exposure of M31 (30sx10). See how much more of the halo is visible. Even NGC206 (Andromeda Star cloud is starting to take definition). Again the JPG compression makes it look softer - see image on Flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4gdWoH

 

Edited by Astrojedi, 18 October 2017 - 03:10 PM.

[Ain Soph Aur]

There is no competition. I would buy this hands down any day vs. the ASI1600 Color. If you want mono then you cannot beat the ASI1600MM Cool.

I bet mono will be beat by a niche sensor over the next year, well hope.

 

Since I am awaiting a new Christmas present shipped via China, going to occupy my time working on finishing up a few AL visual only programs and fine tuning my new wireless set up on nights with poor conditions with the ASI224.

[Astrojedi]

 

I will try to upload these images to flickr as well.

Looking forward to that!

 

Uploaded to my 294 album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4gdWoH

[Relativist]

That m31, could use the HDR mode, I'd imaging Orion could too. I hope they will add it to sharpcap.

[A. Viegas]

 

 

I will try to upload these images to flickr as well.

Looking forward to that!

 

Uploaded to my 294 album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4gdWoH

 

Hiten-

All those were with your Hyperstar right?

given the sensitivity of this camera, I think we can expect good unvignetted frames from a typical SCT at F7 or so.  I am going to try that next week when I get a chance to go out with it again and hopefully clouds cooperate!

[simotaru]

Hello everybody,

 

 I'm looking to move for a new camera and this ASI294Pro seems interesting now that we have an official price. However, after looking at the specs, I see a lot of similitude with ASI071. Don't you ?

 

Thank you

Edited by simotaru, 18 October 2017 - 04:34 PM.

[OleCuss]

Hello everybody,

 

 I'm looking to move for a new camera and this ASI294Pro seems interesting now that we have an official price. However, after looking at the specs, I see a lot of similitude with ASI071. Don't you ?

 

Thank you

Superficially, maybe.

 

But if you note, the size of the IMX294 sensor is a bit smaller and the SNR is much better.  I think the QE is better as well?

 

I think the ASI071 is a very good camera in its own regard so I'm not trying to denigrate the thing.  But the IMX294 camera looks awesome for both conventional imaging and NRTV!

Edited by OleCuss, 18 October 2017 - 05:13 PM.

[Ain Soph Aur]

That m31, could use the HDR mode, I'd imaging Orion could too. I hope they will add it to sharpcap.

I am a dilletante on sensors but I imagine the HDR mode, a non-linear stack mode and 63k well depth could be a total game changer with the right software?

 

Like Hiten i so love my SX camera and SLL. Between SX not releasing new CMOS cameras and Paul being awol for a very long time on SLL, it is time to move forward.

[Don Rudny]

 

That m31, could use the HDR mode, I'd imaging Orion could too. I hope they will add it to sharpcap.

I am a dilletante on sensors but I imagine the HDR mode, a non-linear stack mode and 63k well depth could be a total game changer with the right software?

 

Like Hiten i so love my SX camera and SLL. Between SX not releasing new CMOS cameras and Paul being awol for a very long time on SLL, it is time to move forward.

 

You may be right, Brandon, but your results posted in Oct Objects of the Month were superb with your SX825, as was Martin Meredith’s with his Lodestar.

 

Don

[Alien Observatory]

 

Hello everybody,

 

 I'm looking to move for a new camera and this ASI294Pro seems interesting now that we have an official price. However, after looking at the specs, I see a lot of similitude with ASI071. Don't you ?

 

Thank you

Superficially, maybe.

 

But if you note, the size of the IMX294 sensor is a bit smaller and the SNR is much better.  I think the QE is better as well?

 

I think the ASI071 is a very good camera in its own regard so I'm not trying to denigrate the thing.  But the IMX294 camera looks awesome for both conventional imaging and NRTV!

 

Made the decision today after looking at specs, telescope, adapters, results.... the list goes on and on.... my ASI290mm is in the classifieds, will order a ASI294 next week from a US Supplier (they are currently waiting delivery).... Yee Haa...    Pat Utah