4 replies to this topic

[midnightlightning]

I have been using this camera for a while now for NB and BB and captured some great data but am now going back to look at how I am using it and am confused.

 

For Broadband I use Mode 0, Gain 26 , Offset 15

 

For Narrowband I use Mode 1, Gain 56, Offset 15. 

 

We are in Bortle 4 and my scope is F6.7 135mm Refractor.

 

Reading various posts it seems there is a consensus for using Mode1/G56 for narrowband but not so straight forward for broadband and this is where I am struggling to understand. 

 

My LRGB exposures are generally 4 to 5 mins but I have gone to 10 mins - the issue I get is even at 4 minutes bright stars are becoming oversaturated.  

 

Can anyone suggest the best mode/gain/exp for me to use for LRGB under the above circumstances - I prefer exposures of 4 or 5 minutes due to the amount of data collected (119MB per sub) and also the lengthy download time c. 8s.

 

Star colour is very important to me, am I better off shooting RGB stars separately with maybe 15s or 30s exp and then substituting these in the main data?  

[SeymoreStars]

My LRGB setting with the QHY600M-PH Mode-3 (ExtendedFullWell_2_CMS) Gain_0 Offset_30

 

 

My NB settings Mode-1 (HighGainMode) Gain_56 Offset_100

 

LRGB - 5 Minutes subs.

 

Steve

Edited by SeymoreStars, 25 January 2023 - 01:43 PM.

[Birddogoby]

Seems we all use different settings.  I keep mine at Readout Mode #0 (Photographic Mode) with Gain 27/Offset 10 for all exposures.  Five minute for NB and 120 sec for LRGB.  I sometimes decrease my exposures with the Lum filter to like 60sec if I run into over saturated stars.  I like the higher dynamic range and full well capacity at 27/10 and really haven't found the extended gain of 56 with its lower noise/less dynamic range/less full well capacity advantageous since the camera has such incredibly low read noise anyway.  Combine that fact with today's amazing noise reduction tools like NXT and I haven't found it necessary to jack the gain up.  But, I'm always open to other owner's recommendations and experience so I'm all ears.  I'd change my tune if there's a better set of gain/offset from what I'm using.

 

Paul

[EspacioProfundo]

My LRGB setting with the QHY600M-PH Mode-3 (ExtendedFullWell_2_CMS) Gain_0 Offset_30

 

 

My NB settings Mode-1 (HighGainMode) Gain_56 Offset_100

 

LRGB - 5 Minutes subs.

 

Steve

+1

[Birddogoby]

I see a couple of you are using Mode-3 for LRGB.  I'd love to know why.  I'm not questioning at all, just trying to learn other imaging possibilities with this camera since I've only been using the 27/10 settings.  Thx.