Opinions please for the purchase of a new camera

Equipment Buying Advice
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Dan Brown avatar
Dan Brown avatar
I have a GTX110 that I'm setting up for imaging. The focal length is very close to my Epsilon 160 and I believe they could work well together tag teaming targets. My first thought was to get the same camera as my Epsilon, which has a monochrome QHY600. The more I think about it I'm leaning towards a color camera. It  may be better for me when going after comets and eclipses. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Dan
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Brian Puhl avatar
Brian Puhl avatar
As someone who went through a similar situation, I can recommend sticking with the mono.  

I had two esprit 100s, qhy 268m for one.    I decided to give OGMA AP26CC color camera a shot.   Now don't get me wrong, absolutely nothing wrong with the camera, but OSC just didn't fit well.  The lack of the dedicated color filters, weak signal on blue and red channels, and overcoming the Bayer matrix was not something I enjoyed.     I eventually upgraded to a second mono IMX571, the OGMA AP26CC and I cannot be more happier.     

Dual mono rigs, especially when the pixel scale and FOV are similar (in my case identical) has been the greatest upgrade I've ever done.   Up to 22 hours of data per night make long projects seem quick.    I can do get enough data to make solid projects in a single night if I had to. 

I did consider not having a camera for comet stuff, but I do actually have a 585 that could do just about the same for comet captures.
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George Hatfield avatar
George Hatfield avatar
After-purchase support is always something to consider.  The only astro camera I have owned was an ASI533mc color camera.  I had some initial problems with it which caused me to contact ZWO for support.  In a word, I can describe the support as "poor."  Not much in the way of help, and not very responsive.  Agena Astro, where I purchased the camera, was much more helpful.  "Dark Ranger, Inc" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kY2Gap4ivw) had a similar experience which he describes in this video.  I don't think I would buy another ZWO product because of this potential problem.   If you hit the "lottery," so to speak, and get one of their products that works without problems, you will have a great piece of gear.  But if you don't, you might be out of luck.   The problem with the 533 seemed to disappear with time.  Operator error?

George
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Dan Brown avatar
Dan Brown avatar
Thanks Guys. 
Brian, good input. 
George, no worries, I will not get any zwo product. I would like to try something other QHY, I have too many issues with my computers connecting. Moravian looks promising but I can't find a good tilt/backspacing device like the octopi that will work.
Dan
Oscar H. avatar
Oscar H. avatar
George Hatfield:
After-purchase support is always something to consider.  The only astro camera I have owned was an ASI533mc color camera.  I had some initial problems with it which caused me to contact ZWO for support.  In a word, I can describe the support as "poor."  Not much in the way of help, and not very responsive.  Agena Astro, where I purchased the camera, was much more helpful.  "Dark Ranger, Inc" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kY2Gap4ivw) had a similar experience which he describes in this video.  I don't think I would buy another ZWO product because of this potential problem.   If you hit the "lottery," so to speak, and get one of their products that works without problems, you will have a great piece of gear.  But if you don't, you might be out of luck.   The problem with the 533 seemed to disappear with time.  Operator error?

George

What where the problems? An ASI533MC Pro is gonna be shipped to me.
George Hatfield avatar
George Hatfield avatar
Messierman 3000:   Note sent to ZWO… "Problem:  the camera had numerous "failed exposures" during testing on 3/4/23.  I am using the camera with an ASIAirPlus.  I was able to get around the failed exposures by turning off the camera and restarting it, but then the problem would return.  The camera was plugged into a USB 3.0 plug on the ASIAirPlus (with supplied cable) and had its own power supply.  I checked the connections, and they were secure."

I don't recall the details, but  I ended up using three power supplies…  one for the mount, one for the camera, and one for the ASIAirPlus (which I loved!).  With that configuration, the problem went away.  I really liked the 533 camera. 

George
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Oscar H. avatar
Oscar H. avatar
Ok, that wont be a problem for me, thank you for the explanation.
V avatar
V avatar
For a color camera, if you don't mind the price, any IMX410 camera will beat out the competition by a long shot. If you dont mind the big pixels and full frame size either, It's an insane piece of gear.
Bill McLaughlin avatar
Bill McLaughlin avatar
Moravian are great if you can handle the extra cost and extra weight. Better physical construction than ZWO or QHY as well as a shutter for darks and the option of either consumer grade or industrial grade sensors. Better cooling is also available.
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Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
+1 for Moravian. I have an ASI6200 and a QHY268c and recently bought a Moravian C3-61000M Pro. I've not had first light with it, but from a build quality perspective it is yet another step up from the QHY. Also experienced great service and responsiveness from the manufacturer so far. And like Bill mentioned, it has mechanical shutter for darks. The camera has a built-in tilt correction mechanism. Backfocus you still have to dial in yourself. You pay for it in weight and price though.
Regarding the colour vs monochrome, I bought the QHY268c for similar reasons like you (Comets etc). But for comets, the editing tools in PI are greatly enhanced, so monochrome should work well nowadays. The main reason for me now to use the colour is 'ease of use', travel etc. It is overall a smaller package than with filterwheel attached, and no worrying about # frames each channel. But for a regular setup, I would definitely go with monochrome.
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