7 replies to this topic

[David Ridge]

Long story abbreviated: I bought an sbig st7me 12 years ago just before I unexpectedly had to attend to some career issues - and am just now getting back to reanimating my RCX400. Frankly, I don't know where to start to reach my objectives of dso and planetary imaging. I have zero experience with astrophotography. Where do I start? Is this camera worth the investment in time to become proficient in its use or should I dump it and go with a digital camera (which I don't have)? What image processing tools are necessary - and a corollary question, is GIMP adequate to the task (I'd also like to avoid buying more software)? Has anyone used autostar suite to control this camera?... And those are just the beginning of my certain to be long list of questions...

[Tapio]

I think the best action is to dump the SBIG camera (or maybe someone wants it in antique camera collection...).

Any modern camera is easier and better in so many ways.

 

The prices for modern cameras start from $400-500 (uncooled).

And the cheapest cooled (colour) camera is this, I believe:

https://player-one-a...-camera-imx585/

DSLR are fine way to start too (and look at used market).

 

There are free processing imaging and capture software available (like Deep Sky Stacker, Siril and ASTAP).

You can do some final touches with GIMP but for stacking you should use these special software.

[csa/montana]

Moved to Beginning Deep Sky Imaging for better fit and help with topic.

[David Ridge]

Thanks, Tapio (I think 😬). I was afraid I'd be hearing something along the lines of your reply 😏. I do appreciate the advice but I was hoping for less expensive advice 😊

[Tapio]

Thanks, Tapio (I think ). I was afraid I'd be hearing something along the lines of your reply . I do appreciate the advice but I was hoping for less expensive advice

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news .

I think the biggest problem with that SBIG camera is finding a driver/software so that you can take images with it.
 

[Ar3s701]

I think the best action is to dump the SBIG camera (or maybe someone wants it in antique camera collection...).

Any modern camera is easier and better in so many ways.

 

The prices for modern cameras start from $400-500 (uncooled).

And the cheapest cooled (colour) camera is this, I believe:

https://player-one-a...-camera-imx585/

DSLR are fine way to start too (and look at used market).

 

There are free processing imaging and capture software available (like Deep Sky Stacker, Siril and ASTAP).

You can do some final touches with GIMP but for stacking you should use these special software.

To be fair, the SBIG camera has some juicy fat pixels that are great for imaging at really high focal lengths. At 9 µm per pixel, you'll get great resolution between 1000mm to 2700mm focal length. Conveniently, that pairs well with his RCX400 if it is a 10" or 12".

 

Now for the bad news. If you are just starting astrophotography and try learning at really high focal lengths, you are going to have a bad time. I started with an LX200 10" but quickly downsized to a 350mm scope. Its just a pain to learn this way. What I recommend is to pick up a cheap camera like a T3i (600D) for around $120, an intervalometer for abour $40, and a 300mm lens (I started with a Soligor from the 1960s I picked up for $20) and start there. You'll be able to get a lot done with that and even just a tripod. There are so many objects that fit perfectly in 300mm to 400mm focal length and they are easier to work with.

 

If you have a bit more funds, the best thing you could do is invest in a good mount. The EQ6R is a "fairly" inexpensive mount that performs extremely well and has a 44lb payload. You would need a bigger mount if you wanted to use your RCX400 on it. Something like a CEM70 or CEM120.

 

After a mount, I'd pick up a small refractor for under $1000.

 

Now...If you want to just use the RCX400, there is something it will be excellent at...planetary photos! You'd need a different camera though and Player One makes excellent planetary cameras like the Mars-C II, Uranus-C, and Neptune 664C. But if you have a laptop, that is all you'd need to get is just a different camera. Just connect to your RCX400, track a planet, capture video, turn that video into an amazing high quality planetary photo with nothing but free software.

Edited by Ar3s701, 02 October 2023 - 04:37 PM.

[KNak]

Imaging with a ST8XME as we speak, though I'm doing photometry on a C11.  A couple imaging software options are Sequence Generator Pro (paid) or NINA (free).  I'm using NINA.  So definitely do-able with your current gear and then you can think about upgrading to a newer camera later

[ColinH]

Long story abbreviated: I bought an sbig st7me 12 years ago just before I unexpectedly had to attend to some career issues - and am just now getting back to reanimating my RCX400. Frankly, I don't know where to start to reach my objectives of dso and planetary imaging. I have zero experience with astrophotography. Where do I start? Is this camera worth the investment in time to become proficient in its use or should I dump it and go with a digital camera (which I don't have)? What image processing tools are necessary - and a corollary question, is GIMP adequate to the task (I'd also like to avoid buying more software)? Has anyone used autostar suite to control this camera?... And those are just the beginning of my certain to be long list of questions...

You can find all the resources and drivers for the ST- series cameras over at Diffraction Limited, they acquired SBIG nearly 10 years ago:

https://diffractionl...product-support

If the camera is a USB version (the ST-7XME) then it is still very usable - even on Windows 11.

If it actually is an ST-7ME (parallel port version) it will only work with an old PC e.g. running Windows XP or earlier.

All the software including CCDOPs which is free imaging software and the SBIG Driver Checker are on the Diffraction site above.

It has the advantage of huge 9um pixels, ideal for photometry and for hunting galaxies on long focal length scopes.

Edited by ColinH, 03 October 2023 - 04:03 PM.