67 replies to this topic

[Obsolesce]

Hi all!

 

I've been considering buying the ASI533MC Pro for a while now (upgrading from a mirrorless slr-style camera). The 533 seems to fit well with my 5" sct and overall seems like a great upgrade.

 

That said, I've been eyeing the Classifieds now for a while, and I've noticed like 1-2 ASI533MC Pro's being listed for sale like every single day (it seems). Many still fairly new. 

That got me wondering if it would be a mistake to go with the ASI533MC Pro? Why does it seem like everyone is selling them? Do they all come to find out it's a mistake to buy one?

Does it only tend to a transitioning period and people get bored/outgrow it right away? I was really wanting to get one, but now I'm having second thoughts due to the amount I'm seeing for sale.

 

What do you all think?

 

Side note for context:

I am wanting to get some good DSO images of targets that will fit into the view of a 5" SCT with the ASI533MC Pro. (I'm fine with doing mosaics for larger targets.) I also have a f/6.3 reducer for larger objects. Additionally, I want to do some EAA as well. I also have a ASI224 and OAG, and have a x2 barlow (really only use the barlow for planetary). I've had success with the APC-C mirrorless camera I had, but seems like that sensor is too big for the 5" SCT anyways (at least with the reducer on)

Edited by Obsolesce, 01 October 2023 - 11:51 AM.

[Nemo51]

I have a 533 and a 2600, neither of which I plan to sell. Horses for courses. 

[soojooko]

The 533 is absurdly popular. So it stands to reason you'll see lots of them used. I would wager the vast majority of those selling is not because they don't like it. Rather they LOVE it so much they convince themselves to move up to it's big brother - the 2600. Or the mono 533MM.

 

In my years on this forum ( and others ) I cant recall finding a single disappointed 533 user.

Edited by soojooko, 01 October 2023 - 12:50 PM.

[afd33]

Since it’s one of ZWO’s cheapest cooled cameras, some are probably people who tried the hobby and didn’t like it as much as they thought.

[mehresman2]

+1. I love mine.

Edited by mehresman2, 01 October 2023 - 12:24 PM.

[DeepSky Di]

When choosing my first OSC for my GT81 refractor, I built a list of target of interest bookmarks in Stellarium and trialled the field of view with the 533, 294 and 071. I actually did this on the living room TV with my spouse. We both thought the 533 had too small FoV for my targets of interest, the 294 was a reasonable fit and in the end I chose the 071. I later found out that many people have issues calibrating the 294, but despite being an older sensor, the 071 has been trouble free for me. If I had to choose today I would go with the 2600MC or possibly the duo.

 

That said I thought the 533 was cute and the square image makes sense when space doesn't have a right way up. Then again many favorite targets do have a preferred orientation and some fit a rectangle better than a square. Every time I try to justify getting a 533 for smaller targets I remind myself it's essentially cutting 2/3 off an APS-C sensor -  I can do that in post.

 

If your targets of interest fit this sensor then it should work for you, and since the sensor is modern and of the same quality as the 2600 it should be easy to calibrate.  

[kgb]

The 533MC is a great camera. I personally have not compiled any data to back this up, which hasn't seemed to stop anyone else from speculating, but I would imagine that the number of available units on the used market is proportional to the number of units at large.

But don't just take my word for it. A while back, someone on cloudynights did a Power BI interactive report that enabled curious individuals to query the astrophotography equipment database on astrobin in order to gauge popularity with users. As you can see, if you follow the link below, access this report and query on 'camera', from this sample of experienced users, the 533 is one of the most popular cooled cameras on the market.

https://www.cloudyni...t/?fromsearch=1

[chvvkumar]

If I were to sell my 533MC, it would only be to get the 533MM. After thinking about it a lot and comparing the 533MM with the 2600MM, I could not justify the price difference for the extra FOV.

 

And the square sensor allows me to almost never having to rotate the camera and saving on an electronic rotator. 

[Robert7980]

People buy and sell stuff all the time for probably as many reasons as there are people involved. 

Edited by Robert7980, 01 October 2023 - 12:54 PM.

[DirtyRod]

I bought a 2600 thinking I’d sell my 533 but it ended up on my other refractor and frames up galaxies really well.  I’m now thinking that I will sell it when I go mono for a 2600MM but not sure when that would be.

[unimatrix0]

There are a few reasons. 

 

1. Most recommended camera to upgrade from DSLR. Plenty of them out in the wilderness. 

2. Upgrading from the 533mc to the mm, whether it's the 533mm or the 2600mm

3. Upgraded from micro 4/3rd/ APS-C DSLR or bought as 1st camera - found the image size too small. 

4. No clue what he or she is doing, can't use it. 

 

As far as the camera itself, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.  It's the cheapest-cooled- low noise-no amp glow- camera on the market.  (the Player One cooled 585 is not as well known even though it's even a smaller chip) 

 

 

Look at the Canon DSLRs- plenty of people selling it all over the net.  Are they selling them because they are bad?  No. Because plenty of them all around. 

Edited by unimatrix0, 01 October 2023 - 01:15 PM.

[hyiger]

It's a great entry level cooled camera. I know several people who have it and won't part with it. 

[unimatrix0]

The 533MC is a great camera. I personally have not compiled any data to back this up, which hasn't seemed to stop anyone else from speculating, but I would imagine that the number of available units on the used market is proportional to the number of units at large.

But don't just take my word for it. A while back, someone on cloudynights did a Power BI interactive report that enabled curious individuals to query the astrophotography equipment database on astrobin in order to gauge popularity with users. As you can see, if you follow the link below, access this report and query on 'camera', from this sample of experienced users, the 533 is one of the most popular cooled cameras on the market.

https://www.cloudyni...t/?fromsearch=1

This is a great site to check what's selling the most. 

 

Interesting that the continuously 2 top cameras  are either ZWO or Canon (DSLRs, mirrorless)  They far outpace all the other camera makers, Canon is still by far the most popular choice as a DSLR, Nikon and the rest are way below. 

No surprises for the 120mini, since it's the default guider camera for many.  As far as Septermber, the ZWO1600MMpro and the 294MC outpaced the 533, probably some price drops around and people trying their luck with the cheapest ZWO mono camera and a larger sensor (294). 

 

As for the "but why ZWO', it has to do that the most sold equipment is the ZWO asiair. They want a compatible camera, ZWO is getting what it wanted. 

https://community.fa...88xXqfQE#M10876

 

As for the market share, somewhere around summer of 2023 the 2600mc and mm pro started to dominate. 


 

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Edited by unimatrix0, 01 October 2023 - 01:37 PM.

[reifheck]

I upgraded to the ASI533MC Pro from a Canon DSLR and love it

 

Reif

[F.Meiresonne]

dunno...great camera , too small sensor?

 

I would never buy it, just because of that...still it does not mean it is not a great device though.

[GiffS]

Very happy with mine.

[Lizardman]

Yeah wouldn’t read too much into it. For instance eyepieces change hands like crazy ; just people trying different stuff , moving on or wanting funds for the next best thing.

Edited by Lizardman, 01 October 2023 - 02:18 PM.

[Northrim]

I've been using the 294MC Pro  for a few years.  Just started using the 533mc pro.  Love them both.  Don't expect to ever Sell them unless someone gifts me a 2600. 

[pinnacle90]

I'm one of those people. For me, I'm planning on getting a 2600MM soon.

Being back in school, I haven't been out with the telescopes as much lately and it seemed like a good time to think about what I want and to start sorting through what I have. Don't want to be doing all this when I have time to get out again!

[licho52]

It's a specialty camera, rather cheap so people who get into the hobby get it, but once they realize how limiting the tiny square sensor is, they upgrade to a full-fledged camera.  Some stick with it due to casual approach, or having a 2nd or 3rd rig for galaxies and PNs.  As a main camera it's unsuitable.

[Astro4hire]

I have the 533MC and I think it's great, never had an issue, images are great, and the price was good. I struggled to pick which camera to buy and spent hours researching and it led me to the 533. I'll probably never sell it, I doubt you'll be disappointed. 

[bobzeq25]

Hi all!

 

I've been considering buying the ASI533MC Pro for a while now (upgrading from a mirrorless slr-style camera). The 533 seems to fit well with my 5" sct and overall seems like a great upgrade.

 

That said, I've been eyeing the Classifieds now for a while, and I've noticed like 1-2 ASI533MC Pro's being listed for sale like every single day (it seems). Many still fairly new. 

That got me wondering if it would be a mistake to go with the ASI533MC Pro? Why does it seem like everyone is selling them? Do they all come to find out it's a mistake to buy one?

Does it only tend to a transitioning period and people get bored/outgrow it right away? I was really wanting to get one, but now I'm having second thoughts due to the amount I'm seeing for sale.

 

What do you all think?

 

Side note for context:

I am wanting to get some good DSO images of targets that will fit into the view of a 5" SCT with the ASI533MC Pro. (I'm fine with doing mosaics for larger targets.) I also have a f/6.3 reducer for larger objects. Additionally, I want to do some EAA as well. I also have a ASI224 and OAG, and have a x2 barlow (really only use the barlow for planetary). I've had success with the APC-C mirrorless camera I had, but seems like that sensor is too big for the 5" SCT anyways (at least with the reducer on)

Because about a zillion people bought a 533, and some small fraction of them want to make a change, most likely for reasons unrelated to the quality of their 533.  It's absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

 

Worry about your mount instead.  That's far more likely to be a problem for you.

 

And, if you are new to DSO imaging, worry about the difficulty of learning the hobby with a long, heavy, slow SCT.  A large fraction of beginners (most of them?) who start with an SCT regret that decision.  These are NOT outliers, they're typical.

 

"I regret spending the first 6 months trying to learn imaging with an 8" Edge, with that scope it was a losing effort. Fortunately got a nice little refractor, and not only have the quality of my images improved but I'm actually enjoying the process of learning how to do it!"

 

"I tried to learn DSO imaging with the scope I already owned, a Nexstar 6se. I didn't start making real progress until I bought a refractor and EQ mount.  The SCT is difficult to learn on; you'll learn much much much much faster on a short refractor, and have better images to show for your efforts. "

 

"I put together a video of my imaging rig along with some info on how I went from years of failure trying to image with a long focal length SCT, to achieving success on my first image." 

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=MNQU1hdqz4M

 

"As someone who also started with an SCT I can tell you the two best investments I made in AP were a good mount and smaller refractor. "

 

Those are real issues.  A few 533 ads are not.

 

Your setup is far better suited to EAA, and planetary/lunar imaging.  Learning DSO imaging with it is similar to trying to learn to build fine furniture while hitting nails with a Crescent wrench.  It's the wrong tool for the job.

Edited by bobzeq25, 02 October 2023 - 01:04 AM.

[Zambiadarkskies]

It's a specialty camera, rather cheap so people who get into the hobby get it, but once they realize how limiting the tiny square sensor is, they upgrade to a full-fledged camera.  Some stick with it due to casual approach, or having a 2nd or 3rd rig for galaxies and PNs.  As a main camera it's unsuitable.

That comes across as a real gatekeeper type post.  How is it not "full fledged" and unsuitable as a main camera?  Aside from 14 Vs 16 bit, it is the same as the 2600 in every respect. The "limits of the tiny square sensor" are largely irrelevant if you have the optics to give you the FoV.  Or have the time and conditions to do big mosaics.  Not everyone has the cash to drop 2.5K on an APS-C camera or even more on larger or mono options.  As for "sticking with it due to casual approach", throwing more money at something doesn't automatically make you better or "less amateur".  

Edited by Zambiadarkskies, 02 October 2023 - 02:35 AM.

[Spaceman 56]

 Why does it seem like everyone is selling them? 

there do seem to be a lot coming up.

 

perhaps people bought one because they are Cheap, and then realised they are suited to quite small targets.

 

if you are shooting big targets you might need to do Moasics, which can be pretty bad according to Unimatrix last thread. he gave up on Moasics after 2 weeks.

 

myself I would consider a 533 as a Galaxy scope, (small targets)  but outside of that I would not bother.

 

Horses for courses as they say...

[Spaceman 56]

 too small sensor?

 

I would never buy it, just because of that...