17 replies to this topic

[JSTAR0057]

Hello,

 

I am looking at buying my very first dedicated astrophotography camera. Two of the three cameras are in my budget. The asi2600 MC Pro is one I can buy, but it will hurt my wallet/savings. I have read and read about all three cameras and still don't quite know what makes one better over the other. I currently use a Canon EOS R. Does anyone own any of these cameras and can you give me some insight as to how to figure out how to choose one based on the telescope that a person is using. I have a new telescope on order and plan on buying a dedicated camera to use on one of my telescopes. Probably the zwo ff107 (details below).

I have had bad skies for about a month now and have not been able to image anything, except to practice with my PA with my new AM5, in-between some cloud breaks. 

 

My current setup is as follows:

Canon EOS R

Askar fra300 Pro 60MM aperture 300mm FL f/5. (new)

AM5 with mount (new)

Asiair + 256gb  (new)

zwo 30mm f/4 mini guide scope

asi 290mm mono (Guide camera)

Bluetti EB3A portable power station 600w 268 Wh capacity

 

On Order:

ZWO ff107 apo 107mm aperture 749mm FL quadruplet

 

[bbasiaga]

I've been looking at these as well.  But I don't have any.  I shoot a Canon M6mkII right now, APSc sized.  That spoils you for field of view.  FF even worse I imagine. 

 

The 294 is an older 4/3 size sensor - so between the 533's 1" sensor and the 2600's APSc sized one.  But it has bad amp glow, and a non linear response that makes lights hard to take.  Because of the amp glow, it also requried dark-flats instead of bias frames.  I would stay away.  It seems out dated.

 

The 533 and 2600 are both on Sony's newer architecture.  Very low read noise.  Both awesome.  

 

What I would do is download Stellarium and put your scope and these  cameras in, and then you can see how different objects frame.  That'll be the big difference.  That and file size.  the 2600 makes huge files, from what I hear.    That may be a concern for your computer processor or hard drive. 

 

-Brian

[stefsaber]

You can use something like telescopius.com to see the field of view and resolution trade off between the 533 and 2600.

For what it’s worth, I went from the Canon R to the 533mc. It’s a little different mindset shooting square, but a fun challenge. In the end I figured if I wanted to go the large sensor route, I’d save that for a mono 2600. I am loving the jump from dslr to the 533mc. Only used it thus far on a super wide scope, the AT60ED, but will be trying it out on a 90mm shortly.

[HubSky]

Is your EOS R modified?

 

Personally the order of preference for me is ASI2600mc, 533mc, and then 294mc.  But honestly, I wouldn't get the 294mc due to it's amp glow, which darks should calibrate out but one less thing to mess with, and the fact that most have to shoot dark flats instead of bias which is also not that big of a deal but still more hassle than shooting bias.   

 

Since you've been shooting full frame, the 2600mc APS-C will be closest to that.  It also has a built in dew heater and tilt plate if needed.  The 533 sensor size is a square format which doesn't bother me but does some.  It's a much smaller sensor.  Use Stellarium to frame up objects using both sensors and see how they fit with the DSOs you are interested in.  

[reifheck]

You can use something like telescopius.com to see the field of view and resolution trade off between the 533 and 2600.

For what it’s worth, I went from the Canon R to the 533mc. It’s a little different mindset shooting square, but a fun challenge. In the end I figured if I wanted to go the large sensor route, I’d save that for a mono 2600. I am loving the jump from dslr to the 533mc. Only used it thus far on a super wide scope, the AT60ED, but will be trying it out on a 90mm shortly.

I went from a Canon EOS 7D DSLR to the ASI533MC Pro and am very happy with it

 

Reif
 

[stargazer julie]

I went from a Canon 5D mkiii to the touptek version of the 2600, which is less expensive than the ZWO, and I really like it.  It's perfect for nebulas.  I also went with the mono version and filters, but that's a pretty big jump.  You can look at the pics I took (link in my signature).

[Robert7980]

The 533 and 2600 are both great, the choice is field of view and that’s your decision… The file size of the 2600 is on the large side so you’re going to need plenty of computing power and a lot more storage than you might think, those two things, if you don’t have them could cost as much as the camera so that’s something to think about… I’ve got both versions of the 2600 and enjoy them both… the 533 would be nice for galaxies where the smaller file size would help, the 2600 is great for wide field nebula shots… The 2600 has more than twice as much sensor so that’s where the price difference is… 

[JF1960]

749mm focal length will limit the FOV on the smaller sensor 533.  The 2600 has a wider FOV.  It has the exact same pixel density as the 533.  Just a lot more of them!  You can compare the FOV using your new scope with both cameras on multiple targets here:

 

https://astronomy.to.../field_of_view/

[drd715]

Get the 2600mc if you can stretch your budget.

[Zambiadarkskies]

The 533 and 2600 are both great, the choice is field of view and that’s your decision… The file size of the 2600 is on the large side so you’re going to need plenty of computing power and a lot more storage than you might think, those two things, if you don’t have them could cost as much as the camera so that’s something to think about… I’ve got both versions of the 2600 and enjoy them both… the 533 would be nice for galaxies where the smaller file size would help, the 2600 is great for wide field nebula shots… The 2600 has more than twice as much sensor so that’s where the price difference is… 

I shoot full frame terrestrial as well as micro four thirds.  Each have their pros and cons.  Same with astro.  For astro I bought a 533mc after weighing up that and the 294.  I don't mind the square format at all, and in fact like it a lot.  You have a 300mm scope and the R and you have a 107 incoming.  You have a lot of options there, the 533 won't limit you.  

 

Don't underestimate the file size issue that Robert mentions.  Even the 533 VERY quickly fills up hard drive space and needs hours to pre-process big projects on my computer. Personally I would really like to see an updated m4/3 type sized sensor with the characteristics of the 533/2600.  Whether that will ever happen or not, who knows?  

[Mike7Mak]

Don't underestimate the file size issue that Robert mentions.

Amen to that. I've never used a dslr for astro and worked my way up the chip size ladder from 765x510, so the 533 is friggen huge from my perspective. With the short exposures these new cmos cameras need the data quantity piles up fast. Before and after processing. The 533 puts out something like 12mb subs but when they're debayered they hit like 50+ megs each. And if you save in 32bit float then they end up 100+ megs each.

 

Field of view is a relative thing. If the objects you want to shoot fit on the chip that's all that matters in the end.

[HubSky]

The 2600mc is going to have subs about 55MB, stacked master about 250MB and a 2x drizzled stacked master of about 1GB.   I process these files for two years on an i7 laptop with SSD without issues though some steps can take a while.  The slowest by far for me was PI WBPP stacking which could take one or two hours depending on sub count, but I would usually use DSS stacking which could do it in about 15 minutes.   I've now upgraded to a much more powerful computer and use CUDA for the Xterminator programs and now everything is fast enough it's usually not worth even walking away from the computer for any process.  

[Andros246]

Hello,

 

I am looking at buying my very first dedicated astrophotography camera. Two of the three cameras are in my budget. The asi2600 MC Pro is one I can buy, but it will hurt my wallet/savings. I have read and read about all three cameras and still don't quite know what makes one better over the other. I currently use a Canon EOS R. Does anyone own any of these cameras and can you give me some insight as to how to figure out how to choose one based on the telescope that a person is using. I have a new telescope on order and plan on buying a dedicated camera to use on one of my telescopes. Probably the zwo ff107 (details below).

I have had bad skies for about a month now and have not been able to image anything, except to practice with my PA with my new AM5, in-between some cloud breaks. 

 

My current setup is as follows:

Canon EOS R

Askar fra300 Pro 60MM aperture 300mm FL f/5. (new)

AM5 with mount (new)

Asiair + 256gb  (new)

zwo 30mm f/4 mini guide scope

asi 290mm mono (Guide camera)

Bluetti EB3A portable power station 600w 268 Wh capacity

 

On Order:

ZWO ff107 apo 107mm aperture 749mm FL quadruplet

With your new refractor on the way 2600MC all the way you'll be so happy you will have more FOV

[JSTAR0057]

Thank you everyone for all the input. Looks like I have a tough decision to make. I have narrowed it down to either the 533mc pro and the $$$ 2600mc pro.  I am going to use Telescopius to see my fov in both. I do not want to try monochrome yet, I am too new and still learning. Always learning. lol Thanks again!

[JSTAR0057]

Is your EOS R modified?

 

Personally the order of preference for me is ASI2600mc, 533mc, and then 294mc.  But honestly, I wouldn't get the 294mc due to it's amp glow, which darks should calibrate out but one less thing to mess with, and the fact that most have to shoot dark flats instead of bias which is also not that big of a deal but still more hassle than shooting bias.   

 

Since you've been shooting full frame, the 2600mc APS-C will be closest to that.  It also has a built in dew heater and tilt plate if needed.  The 533 sensor size is a square format which doesn't bother me but does some.  It's a much smaller sensor.  Use Stellarium to frame up objects using both sensors and see how they fit with the DSOs you are interested in.  

No, my EOS R is not modified. I think my order of preference is the same, especially after reading about the amp glow with the 294. I am not sure if I want to spend the money on the 2600mc. I like the features on the 2600mc to include the built in dew heater. i'll frame them both and try to figure this out. Thanks for the advice, this hobby IS NOT CHEAP!!! lol

[bbasiaga]

No, my EOS R is not modified. I think my order of preference is the same, especially after reading about the amp glow with the 294. I am not sure if I want to spend the money on the 2600mc. I like the features on the 2600mc to include the built in dew heater. i'll frame them both and try to figure this out. Thanks for the advice, this hobby IS NOT CHEAP!!! lol

FWIW, I just was informed In another thread that the 533 heats the casing with its own TEC cooler exhaust, and that is why it does not need a dew heater.

Brian

[italic]

I got the 533 as a first camera and it's been great. I don't really miss the extra field of view because my stars are nearly perfect across the whole frame. I didn't spend enough time with the flattener on my DSLR to really nail the stars before I went mono.

[stargazer julie]

Thank you everyone for all the input. Looks like I have a tough decision to make. I have narrowed it down to either the 533mc pro and the $$$ 2600mc pro.  I am going to use Telescopius to see my fov in both. I do not want to try monochrome yet, I am too new and still learning. Always learning. lol Thanks again!

The Rising Cam of this model 2600 is $1213 US.

 

 J.