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Which CCD camera?
Hi there!
My name is Johan and I am working in the Physics Department of the North-West University in South Africa. A couple of years ago we bought a 12" Meade LX200 as well as a Pictor 416XT CCD camera. The decision on the Pictor 416XT was sort of rushed decision since we had very little time to write the application for the funding of the equipment. Now it seems as if the 416XT was not a good decision. I never was really satisfied with its performance and with the Meade software that came with it. We now have the opportunity to again apply for funding and I would like to submit an application to buy a better CCD camera. We use it for student practicals and would like to use it for multi-color photometry. Autoguiding is quite important. So is good software. I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy. Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Thanks Johan van der Walt |
#2
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Which CCD camera?
I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy.
Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Hi Johan I've had a SBIG 8-E for a couple of years now and think it is stunning. Large CCD, integrates well with Maxim CCD software and flawless reliable operation. They have new and better cameras now, but in my own experience I don't think you'd go wrong with SBIG if you can get the budget. Regards Roger UK |
#3
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Which CCD camera?
Hi Johan
I own a 12 inch LX200 and I do some photometry...mostly asteroids. If you dont want to use focal reducer then I would prefer an ST9E NABG chip. I has larger pixels that will give better pixel/scale with your F/10 system when compared to an ST8E. CCDOps and CCDSoft are both stable and good to use and come free with the camera. ST-9E comes with a guider I guess. clear skies Vishnu www.geocities.com/moonyguy "Roger Moffatt" roger (dot) moffatt (at) zen dot coh dot uk wrote in message . .. I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy. Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Hi Johan I've had a SBIG 8-E for a couple of years now and think it is stunning. Large CCD, integrates well with Maxim CCD software and flawless reliable operation. They have new and better cameras now, but in my own experience I don't think you'd go wrong with SBIG if you can get the budget. Regards Roger UK |
#4
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Which CCD camera?
Roger, What telescope do you have? Do you use the SBIG 8-E for autoguiding as well? Johan Roger Moffatt roger (dot) moffatt (at) zen dot coh dot uk wrote: I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy. Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Hi Johan I've had a SBIG 8-E for a couple of years now and think it is stunning. Large CCD, integrates well with Maxim CCD software and flawless reliable operation. They have new and better cameras now, but in my own experience I don't think you'd go wrong with SBIG if you can get the budget. Regards Roger UK |
#5
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Which CCD camera?
Roger, What telescope do you have? Do you use the SBIG 8-E for autoguiding as well? Hi Johan I've got a LX-90 at present. Whilst I have attempted to guide with the LX90, my mount is not well enough aligned or sufficiently stable and I'm waiting until I have my pier ready before trying again. I just use it for 30 - 45 sec images and then integrate them with Maxim. Roger |
#6
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Which CCD camera?
I personally recommend the Starlight Xpress cameras from personal
experience. Software's robust and easy to use, technical help is there and knowledgeable, if at times it takes a few days to get back to you. The cameras are light-weight, robust, and take great pictures. Autotracking is good and flexible. Of course, SBIG also has good cameras, but I believe Starlight Xpress is just as good and at better prices. Good Luck! -- Sincerely, --- Dave ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A man is a god in ruins. --- Duke Ellington ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Johan van der Walt" wrote in message news:1083749213.423609@utl-lnx1... Hi there! My name is Johan and I am working in the Physics Department of the North-West University in South Africa. A couple of years ago we bought a 12" Meade LX200 as well as a Pictor 416XT CCD camera. The decision on the Pictor 416XT was sort of rushed decision since we had very little time to write the application for the funding of the equipment. Now it seems as if the 416XT was not a good decision. I never was really satisfied with its performance and with the Meade software that came with it. We now have the opportunity to again apply for funding and I would like to submit an application to buy a better CCD camera. We use it for student practicals and would like to use it for multi-color photometry. Autoguiding is quite important. So is good software. I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy. Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Thanks Johan van der Walt |
#7
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Which CCD camera?
"David Nakamoto" wrote in message ... I personally recommend the Starlight Xpress cameras from personal experience. Software's robust and easy to use, technical help is there and knowledgeable, if at times it takes a few days to get back to you. The cameras are light-weight, robust, and take great pictures. Autotracking is good and flexible. Of course, SBIG also has good cameras, but I believe Starlight Xpress is just as good and at better prices. Good Luck! For the money, the Starlight cameras are good. However on an SCT, the guide CCD in the SBIG cameras, allows them to correct for the some of the effects of mirror shift. Realistically, on a 12" LX200, you will need a field flattener for any but the smaller CCD's, and this makes better use of the image scale on most CCD's. For photometry on the LX200, I'd consider a ST10XME, with the AO7, and a focal reducer/flattener to about 0.75* (AP). The software with the SBIG cameras, is a 'class ahead' of that with the Starlight cameras. The current releases of the Starlight software work OK, but most people wanting to do more automation, end up buying another package like AstroArt or Maxim. The latter offers the best scripting interface. Alternatively, the Starlight SXV, combined with an OAG, and perhaps Maxim DL/CCD, is a lot cheaper (smaller CCD), but offers excellent noise performance. At present there is not a high speed guide system like the AO7, but this may be going to change in the near future. The 12" LX200, is fairly heavy for it's mount, requiring some 'tweaking' to get guiding reasonably, and the AO7, makes all the difference on these mounts. Best Wishes "Johan van der Walt" wrote in message news:1083749213.423609@utl-lnx1... Hi there! My name is Johan and I am working in the Physics Department of the North-West University in South Africa. A couple of years ago we bought a 12" Meade LX200 as well as a Pictor 416XT CCD camera. The decision on the Pictor 416XT was sort of rushed decision since we had very little time to write the application for the funding of the equipment. Now it seems as if the 416XT was not a good decision. I never was really satisfied with its performance and with the Meade software that came with it. We now have the opportunity to again apply for funding and I would like to submit an application to buy a better CCD camera. We use it for student practicals and would like to use it for multi-color photometry. Autoguiding is quite important. So is good software. I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy. Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Thanks Johan van der Walt |
#8
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Which CCD camera?
But the Starlight Xpress cameras can autoguide on any star in the field of
view, at the expense of sensitivity of course. I don't see where this is poses a problem with mirror shift on an SCT. Also, the high cost of the SBIG cameras, some of them at least, weigh against them, unless price is no option, but I thought we were amateurs here, so we're cash strapped, either because we just bought that 36-inch Dob on an equatorial platform and have to pay for the hospital bills for the hernias we got trying to move it, or because we're married. ^_^ -- Sincerely, --- Dave ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A man is a god in ruins. --- Duke Ellington ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Roger Hamlett" wrote in message news:QBwoc.37$74.22@newsfe1-win... "David Nakamoto" wrote in message ... I personally recommend the Starlight Xpress cameras from personal experience. Software's robust and easy to use, technical help is there and knowledgeable, if at times it takes a few days to get back to you. The cameras are light-weight, robust, and take great pictures. Autotracking is good and flexible. Of course, SBIG also has good cameras, but I believe Starlight Xpress is just as good and at better prices. Good Luck! For the money, the Starlight cameras are good. However on an SCT, the guide CCD in the SBIG cameras, allows them to correct for the some of the effects of mirror shift. Realistically, on a 12" LX200, you will need a field flattener for any but the smaller CCD's, and this makes better use of the image scale on most CCD's. For photometry on the LX200, I'd consider a ST10XME, with the AO7, and a focal reducer/flattener to about 0.75* (AP). The software with the SBIG cameras, is a 'class ahead' of that with the Starlight cameras. The current releases of the Starlight software work OK, but most people wanting to do more automation, end up buying another package like AstroArt or Maxim. The latter offers the best scripting interface. Alternatively, the Starlight SXV, combined with an OAG, and perhaps Maxim DL/CCD, is a lot cheaper (smaller CCD), but offers excellent noise performance. At present there is not a high speed guide system like the AO7, but this may be going to change in the near future. The 12" LX200, is fairly heavy for it's mount, requiring some 'tweaking' to get guiding reasonably, and the AO7, makes all the difference on these mounts. Best Wishes "Johan van der Walt" wrote in message news:1083749213.423609@utl-lnx1... Hi there! My name is Johan and I am working in the Physics Department of the North-West University in South Africa. A couple of years ago we bought a 12" Meade LX200 as well as a Pictor 416XT CCD camera. The decision on the Pictor 416XT was sort of rushed decision since we had very little time to write the application for the funding of the equipment. Now it seems as if the 416XT was not a good decision. I never was really satisfied with its performance and with the Meade software that came with it. We now have the opportunity to again apply for funding and I would like to submit an application to buy a better CCD camera. We use it for student practicals and would like to use it for multi-color photometry. Autoguiding is quite important. So is good software. I shall appreciate it if someone can give me good advice on what to buy. Budget is limited as usual but any advice is welcome. Thanks Johan van der Walt |
#9
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Which CCD camera?
"David Nakamoto" wrote in message
. the Starlight Xpress cameras can autoguide on any star in the field of view, at the expense of sensitivity of course. Yes, half of the sensitivity. This is significant. Also, the high cost of the SBIG cameras, some of them at least, weigh against them, unless price is no option, but I thought we were amateurs here, so we're cash strapped, You beat this drum a lot. David. But it is a generality that isn't necessarily true. Our 2 megapixel color camera is bigger and costs less with its self guiding than the 1.4 megapixel color camera from SE with its self guiding head. Some of our cameras cost more than some SE cameras and some SE cameras cost more than ours. But you give the impression the there is this huge difference in price that just isn't so. Some popular models like the ST-2000 are actually much less when you compare apples to apples. Regards, Michael Barber SBIG |
#10
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Which CCD camera?
OK. It make sense that, given enough time, and the presence of competition,
that all the cooled CCD camera manufacturers will gradually offer more and more similar products, at more and more similar prices. I admit I haven't been looking lately, so my facts are a bit out of date. I have a lot of user loyality with Starlight Xpress because many years ago they offered a camera with capabilities and a price I liked, and treated me both friendly, expeditently, and offered good technical advice when necessary, which wasn't that often. Also, at the time I replied to the original poster, no one spoke up for Starlight Xpress, so I did, as a satisfied customer. I apologize for and retract my statement that Xpress costs less than SBIG, but you won't hold it against me for advocating a product I like, would you? -- Sincerely, --- Dave ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A man is a god in ruins. --- Duke Ellington ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Michael Barber" wrote in message om... "David Nakamoto" wrote in message . the Starlight Xpress cameras can autoguide on any star in the field of view, at the expense of sensitivity of course. Yes, half of the sensitivity. This is significant. Also, the high cost of the SBIG cameras, some of them at least, weigh against them, unless price is no option, but I thought we were amateurs here, so we're cash strapped, You beat this drum a lot. David. But it is a generality that isn't necessarily true. Our 2 megapixel color camera is bigger and costs less with its self guiding than the 1.4 megapixel color camera from SE with its self guiding head. Some of our cameras cost more than some SE cameras and some SE cameras cost more than ours. But you give the impression the there is this huge difference in price that just isn't so. Some popular models like the ST-2000 are actually much less when you compare apples to apples. Regards, Michael Barber SBIG |
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