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CCD Camera design



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 6th 04, 07:48 AM
Alain J
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Default CCD Camera design

Hi

I want to build my own astronomical camera. I don't have decided which
I'll use. I want to put a color CMOS sensor but many web sites relates
that CMOS sensors are not very good (high dark level)
I've seen a color CMOS sensor with 1,3 Mpixel (1280x1024) at a very low
price (about $140).

For best performance, do I use a color sensor or B&W sensor ? In term
of sensitivy, dark noise which is the best (colour or B&W)?

Cordially

Alain

  #2  
Old February 6th 04, 08:32 AM
Tony Turner
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Default CCD Camera design


"snip
I want to build my own astronomical camera.

snip
This site is a good read. I've almost finished my camera and the
instructions have generally been clear.

http://www.astrosurf.com/audine/English/index0.htm

There is also a North American site called Genesis. I've forgotten where it
is but the ever-reliable Google will find it for you.


  #3  
Old February 6th 04, 10:04 AM
Helmut Göbkes
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Default CCD Camera design

Hi folks,

maybe it is interesting for you that a astronomical
camera called "Platinum" like Audine / genesis is available
as Kit or as complete camera from this site too.
have a look to www.trinityccd.de
Also available are many parts and modules for general
use in CCD-Camera constructions like cooling components,
cool-chambers, peltiers, Cases, Interfaces,
USB-Converters and such nice things every body who wants
to build CCD-Cameras.

helmut



  #4  
Old February 6th 04, 10:09 AM
David Nakamoto
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Default CCD Camera design

Color CCDs achieve their results by placing a matrix of color filters over
the sensor array. This cuts down on the sensitivity of the array,
increasing exposure times 2 to 3 times or more. It also reduces the
resolution, since every three to four pixels are used to recreate a single
color one.

CMOS does have higher noise, and less low light sensitivity.

The best color results are still from using a black and white CCD with a
color filters, taking one exposure per filter.


"Alain J" wrote in message
...
Hi

I want to build my own astronomical camera. I don't have decided which
I'll use. I want to put a color CMOS sensor but many web sites relates
that CMOS sensors are not very good (high dark level)
I've seen a color CMOS sensor with 1,3 Mpixel (1280x1024) at a very low
price (about $140).

For best performance, do I use a color sensor or B&W sensor ? In term
of sensitivy, dark noise which is the best (colour or B&W)?

Cordially

Alain



  #5  
Old February 6th 04, 02:29 PM
Davoud
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Default CCD Camera design

Alain J:
I want to build my own astronomical camera.


Tony Turner:
This site is a good read. I've almost finished my camera and the
instructions have generally been clear.


http://www.astrosurf.com/audine/English/index0.htm


*****

I think that M. Alain J might appreciate this link even more than the
above: http://astrosurf.com/audine/index_fr.htm

Davoud

--
usenet *at* davidillig dawt com
  #6  
Old February 7th 04, 12:14 AM
SHFORSTER1
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Default CCD Camera design

Check out the new color cameras coming from SBIG, David.

www.sbig.com

They might make me trade in my ST-10 and filter wheel on the 11 Megapixel color
unit.

STU
  #7  
Old February 7th 04, 12:38 AM
David Nakamoto
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Default CCD Camera design

Admittedly, not looking at the site, but remembering how high priced the
SBIG cameras are, I don't think these will ever be in my future. Also,
doesn't it obey the rule that a single shot color has exposure times two to
three times longer for an individual exposure than the equivalent black and
white?

"SHFORSTER1" wrote in message
...
Check out the new color cameras coming from SBIG, David.

www.sbig.com

They might make me trade in my ST-10 and filter wheel on the 11 Megapixel

color
unit.

STU



  #8  
Old February 7th 04, 01:16 AM
SHFORSTER1
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Default CCD Camera design

The price of the ST-2000 with the autoguider is $2995. Yes , Quantum Efficiency
is down, but this is a tradeoff. If I go to widefield with a color camera, I'll
be spared all the stacking and still get good images. Hydrogen alpha would be
out with these cameras, while pretty pictures would be in.
STU
  #9  
Old February 7th 04, 04:02 AM
Tony Turner
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Default CCD Camera design


"Davoud" wrote in message
...
Alain J:
I want to build my own astronomical camera.


Tony Turner:
This site is a good read. I've almost finished my camera and the
instructions have generally been clear.


http://www.astrosurf.com/audine/English/index0.htm


*****

I think that M. Alain J might appreciate this link even more than the
above: http://astrosurf.com/audine/index_fr.htm

Davoud

Tres bon! Merci.




  #10  
Old February 10th 04, 06:32 AM
Leonard
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Default CCD Camera design

There is another big drawback to using a "color" detector.
You are stuck with the filters the manufacturer placed on the front of
the chip. While fine for the daytime snapshot they do not have the
high efficiency of or color balance available in astronomical filters.
You could not do a Ha or OIII shot very well (yes you could put one of
those filters in front of a color detector but I believe the results
would be less than desired.

Of course if you have already selected a specific chip there may not
be a color filter option for it. You can only buy / get what they
make.

In general CMOS sensors do not offer as low as noise as CCDs.
Howerver the new Canon digital SLR cameras have CMOS sensors and dark
noise far below what my CCD based camera would produce (at the same
sensor temperature).

I wish you the best of luck on your endeavors.
Please publish the design if you get it to go.

Leonard

On Fri, 06 Feb 2004 09:09:18 GMT, "David Nakamoto"
wrote:

Color CCDs achieve their results by placing a matrix of color filters over
the sensor array. This cuts down on the sensitivity of the array,
increasing exposure times 2 to 3 times or more. It also reduces the
resolution, since every three to four pixels are used to recreate a single
color one.

CMOS does have higher noise, and less low light sensitivity.

The best color results are still from using a black and white CCD with a
color filters, taking one exposure per filter.


"Alain J" wrote in message
...
Hi

I want to build my own astronomical camera. I don't have decided which
I'll use. I want to put a color CMOS sensor but many web sites relates
that CMOS sensors are not very good (high dark level)
I've seen a color CMOS sensor with 1,3 Mpixel (1280x1024) at a very low
price (about $140).

For best performance, do I use a color sensor or B&W sensor ? In term
of sensitivy, dark noise which is the best (colour or B&W)?

Cordially

Alain



 




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