3 replies to this topic

[Ronsurf1]

How do I determine the best gain setting for my ZWO cameras. In particular the 6200mm and 533MC camera?  I presently use a gain of 200 as an all around setting.  How do I find out what all of the parameters mean on the sensor?  

[Koop]

Cuiv has an excellent YouTube presentation explaining the charts on ZWO's website, how to interpret them and what gain settings he recommends. Well worth watching and learning IMHO. https://www.youtube....h?v=SYQ1i4k62eI

Edited by Koop, 30 January 2023 - 11:43 PM.

[bobzeq25]

How do I determine the best gain setting for my ZWO cameras. In particular the 6200mm and 533MC camera?  I presently use a gain of 200 as an all around setting.  How do I find out what all of the parameters mean on the sensor?  

Note that this forum is "no astrophotography", but a mod will move the thread.

 

There are only two gain settings that make much sense on these cameras.  100 is a great all around setting, with low read noise and high dynamic range.  Going higher just costs you dynamic range for little or no benefit.  You don't get any more photons, and that's all that matters. 

 

The data is on ZWO's website.

 

I also use zero so that, with my fast F2 RASA, I can take as few subs as possible in my Bortle 7 skies.  Broadband.  I use 100 for narrowband.

 

Key point.  The fact that we stack subexposures, and that our targets have terrible signal to noise ratio, make DSO AP completely different from terrestrial photography.  In terrestrial, you routinely turn up the ISO in dim light.  You do not do the same for the gain in DSO AP.

Edited by bobzeq25, 30 January 2023 - 08:35 PM.

[DeepSky Di]

Topic moved as foretold.