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ASI2600MM or ASI2600MM Duo

ZWO ASI2600MM Pro ZWO ASI2600MM DUO CMOS Buying Advice
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James avatar
James avatar
Hello,

I'm a relative newbie to astrophotography (I've only been doing it for a year, and even less with a traditional set up) and have recently ordered a second mount so that I can take more images in a single night.  With an additional mount comes the need for an additional camera.  I currently use the ASI533MM and am looking at the ASI260MM as my next purchase.  My current gear includes the following:

WO Pleiades 111, Redcat 51, Celestron Nexstar 8SE (though I'm also considering upgrading to an Edge HD 9.25 or 11)
Antlia 3nm SHO filters
Astronomik Deep Sky RGB and L-1 filter
ZWO EFW7 and EAF

My main concern, after reading some posts in various forums, is that the ASI2600MM Duo would have difficulty guiding when I use my narrowband filters.  With my WO scopes, guiding really hasn't been an issue, so I don't think I'd be missing out by opting for the ASi2600MM.  For the SCT, where the Duo might make more sense, I'm thinking an OAG (which I have) would be the way to go.  

Is there any reason, why it would make more sense to buy the DUO, or is there something else that I'm not considering?  

A slightly unrelated question is this: I saw a separate posts about mounting cameras to the EFW.  To prevent exposure to dust, do most astrophotographers keep EFWs and filters dedicated to specific cameras so they don't have to change them out?  Any advice you have is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance and Clear Skies!

James
GregsAstrobin avatar
GregsAstrobin avatar
Since you already have an OAG and presumably a guide camera, why pay the additional cost of the Duo?  It will work for any of your configurations.
James avatar
James avatar
@GregsAstrobin , being relatively new to astrophotography, I had trouble getting the OAG to work right and provide really solid tracking.  Not long after, I got the P111 and used my 32mm guide scope and 220mm camera, and didn’t tinker with the OAG anymore (mostly got tired of missing out on relatively clear nights to image).  

I figured eventually I’d just upgrade to the Duo. It wasn’t until I started trying my hand at narrowband that I realized a guide camera in the main camera might not be the best setup.
Paul Larkin avatar
Paul Larkin avatar
Hi, James.
Whilst one can imagine the convenience of the duo for a colour camera (without NB filters), as you say, NB filters will reduce the amount of light available for guiding on a mono.  To my mind, an OAG in front of the filter set is the way to go, as you seem to have in your current setup; no advantage for a duo for NB.

That said, you might like to have a look at Cuiv's review of the MC version and his experience of guiding with NB filters, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPSS8ChEZiA&ab_channel=Cuiv%2CTheLazyGeek
I recall him saying that he has a relatively fast scope for his tests and something broader than 3nm NB filters.
All the best.
Paul
Oscar avatar
Oscar avatar
James:
A slightly unrelated question is this: I saw a separate posts about mounting cameras to the EFW.  To prevent exposure to dust, do most astrophotographers keep EFWs and filters dedicated to specific cameras so they don't have to change them out?  Any advice you have is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance and Clear Skies!

whether or not most APers do or don't, I recommend just blowing out any dust with a dust blower, like this

what you should fear is, finger smudges, scratches or chemicals on the filters (one example about the chemicals, is, one time, I had a few specks of dust on a dual NB filter that I bought for my OSC cam, and I used this pressurized dust blower, the only dust blower I had - the ones in the can form, with the long nozzle, similar to  this - and it visibly damaged the coatings on the filter after the blower was gently used; the filter got a slight rainbow look that has not gotten fixed over time as I'd hoped; I checked afterwards on the label on the back of the can and found out it used some weird chemical, and I was basically spraying that on my filter; I was frustrated that I had not read what was inside the can, and learned my lesson not to blow things at filters without knowing what I'm actually blowing; don't use breath either; I heard people even choose to wear masks to stop any warm breath or microscopic spit to get on the filters.
Beat Wirthmueller avatar
Beat Wirthmueller avatar
Hello James

I have used the ZWO ASI 2600 MC duo with my RedCat 51 and with an ASKAR 103 APO with f/6.8. Using the Optolong L-Extreme Filter on both scopes I have a good guiding results taking pictures up to 300 Seconds from my Bortle 4-5 area. I also tried an off axis guider before but as you I struggled to get reasonable results. Compared to this the set up with the duo and my ZWO ASIAIR is much easier and makes more fun.

Clear skies - Beat