3 replies to this topic

[np252003]

 Hello all 

After long time in the science astronomy it is time to get back to deep space astrophotography.

I own a Officina Stellare Rila 400 specs below and looking for a good CMOS colour camera.

Could you please suggest some  ?

The one I have is a STXL11002 monochrome of the moment.

Also if is possible some suggestions for a heavy duty rotating focuser...

 

​Scope SPECIFICATIONS:

Optical set: RiLA, two mirrors and back lens group
Clear aperture: 400 mm
Focal ratio: F/5.25
Corrected field: 60 mm
Spot Size inside full circle: 4 to 6 microns RMS
Max outside diameter: 590 mm/23.2”)

 

Regards 

Nikos

[Rasfahan]

Depending in the budget, anything with a Sony IMX571/IMX455/461/411 sensor. QHY and ZWO are comparatively cheap. I like ZWO accessories better and QHY cameras. Touptek is cheaper still but accessories are threaded instead of bolt-on. Moravian has better build quality than either and seems to have overcome their teething problems with the large sensors. QSI just came out with a very nice-looking IMX455 camera (QSI760) with integrated filterwheel and very short backfocus requirement (32mm only).

 

The CMOS cameras are quite a bit lighter than the CCD. I use an Optec Leo for an IMX455 image train and it is very stable at f/3.3. I would not hesitate to recommend the Optec Hercules (the rotating variant) or the Optec Gemini for the very large chips. The Nightcrawler is another very stable rotating focuser. I‘m not sure how the PLL Esatto+Arco combo holds up but I like my Esatto focusers a lot. 
 

Edit: Sorry, didn‘t see the „colour camera“ requirement. I‘m not sure the IMX461 and 411 come in anything but mono. For OSC I am very fond of my IMX410-based full-frame camera: The larger pixels make backfocus and tilt adjustment a breeze in comparison to the IMX455.

Edited by Rasfahan, 16 August 2024 - 04:23 AM.

[andysea]

I agree with Torben. The IMX410 would be fantastic. Sony makes a color version of the IMX461, It's used in the Fujifilm GFX100, but I don't know who makes an astro camera with that sensor.

[KGoodwin]

I'd go with any of the suggested 3.76um pixel cameras, depending on your desired FOV and cost tolerance.  As far as the brand, unfortunately it's a bit frustrating.  I think if you're located in Europe it's hard to go wrong with Moravian.  I really wish there were a US premium camera manufacturer using these chips like FLI.  I won't touch a ZWO, I've been recently frustrated with humidity/dew/frost issues with my previously reliable QHY, and while I'm currently very happy with my Player One camera, I've only had it for less than a year, so it's too early to say how it will last in the long run.  OGMA is another US-based integrator/rebrander of these camera and I've heard good things there, but I don't have one myself.  There isn't an obvious "just buy an AP/10u" option that applies generally for cameras presently in my opinion.