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Looking for Camera and Filter Wheel Recommendations

Equipment Acquisition Remote Astrophotography Deep Sky
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Steven Zuhoski avatar
Steven Zuhoski avatar

The biggest problems I have running NINA at home or at a remote observatory is 1) camera connectivity to NINA, and 2) the filter wheel getting stuck on one filter. When running at the remote site, I always have to make sure that the camera cools and can take images without getting stuck before starting my nightly NINA sequence versus starting the sequence and waiting until dusk or my target is up before starting to cool the camera. When the camera fails to function correctly, sometimes all it takes is a disconnect and reconnect in NINA, or a NINA stop and restart (pull down error), and less frequently a PC reboot. Once the camera operation is verified, it runs through the night. Note that resetting the camera power and USB connection does not fix the camera pull down error flag (or is it pull up error?), only restarting NINA will correct it.

Filter wheel #2 (unfortunately same brand as #1) at the remote observatory is sticking on a filter after a few hours running the sequence. It ran without problems for about 3 months (just like filter wheel #1).

I am seeing camera issues on a couple of different brands (rebranded….) but manufactured by the same company.

My question: What is the best IMX571 mono camera and filter wheel (7×2”) for reliable remote observatory operation using NINA?

Thanks,

Steve

Quinn Groessl avatar
Quinn Groessl avatar

Never had an issue with my ZWO camera and EFW. They’re the most popular for a reason. I’ve also heard good things about Touptek too if you’re that against ZWO.

Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar

Steven Zuhoski · Oct 31, 2025 at 05:55 PM

The biggest problems I have running NINA at home or at a remote observatory is 1) camera connectivity to NINA, and 2) the filter wheel getting stuck on one filter. When running at the remote site, I always have to make sure that the camera cools and can take images without getting stuck before starting my nightly NINA sequence versus starting the sequence and waiting until dusk or my target is up before starting to cool the camera. When the camera fails to function correctly, sometimes all it takes is a disconnect and reconnect in NINA, or a NINA stop and restart (pull down error), and less frequently a PC reboot. Once the camera operation is verified, it runs through the night. Note that resetting the camera power and USB connection does not fix the camera pull down error flag (or is it pull up error?), only restarting NINA will correct it.

Filter wheel #2 (unfortunately same brand as #1) at the remote observatory is sticking on a filter after a few hours running the sequence. It ran without problems for about 3 months (just like filter wheel #1).

I am seeing camera issues on a couple of different brands (rebranded….) but manufactured by the same company.

My question: What is the best IMX571 mono camera and filter wheel (7×2”) for reliable remote observatory operation using NINA?

Thanks,

Steve

The most reliable in service now are the Moravian cameras. FLI should be shipping cameras again in November-December so once those start getting deployed they will likely hold the top spot for ultra reliability.

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Bill McLaughlin avatar
Bill McLaughlin avatar

Quinn Groessl · Oct 31, 2025, 06:18 PM

Never had an issue with my ZWO camera and EFW. They’re the most popular for a reason. I’ve also heard good things about Touptek too if you’re that against ZWO.

They are popular for a reason but one of those reasons is because they are cheaper. I have had 3 ZWO cameras and a Moravian (I am not including previous CCD based units from Moravian, SBIG and QSI). I have had the ZWOs fail and need to be sent for repair twice. The Moravian has had no issues despite being used for more hours than all the ZWO cameras put together (since it is on my largest scope in the darkest place with the best seeing). The Moravian has had zero connectivity issues even over a 15 foot USB cable - not so with the ZWO which can be a real pain that way.

Bottom line is that I have sold one of the three ZWOs and am awaiting delivery of another Moravian on Monday. No more cheaper cameras for me.

Moravian also offers better cooling and an actual shutter as well as a built in filter wheel and industrial level sensors on some models. These (especially the shutter) can be important at a remote site.

Yes, they are more expensive but worth it IMHO.

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Steven Zuhoski avatar
Steven Zuhoski avatar

Thanks folks!

The cameras / filter wheels in question are ToupTek rebrands so I will be staying from those and my experiences with a ZWO AM5N have not be great either.

Looking at Moravian now for remote rig #2.

Any thoughts on QHY?

Steve

Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar

Steven Zuhoski · Oct 31, 2025 at 09:00 PM

Thanks folks!

The cameras / filter wheels in question are ToupTek rebrands so I will be staying from those and my experiences with a ZWO AM5N have not be great either.

Looking at Moravian now for remote rig #2.

Any thoughts on QHY?

Steve

Feel free to reach out for help with Moravian. More than happy to help with design and ordering.

QHY is a little better in my experience than the other lower cost options, but they tend to also have issues over time. I’ve had better luck with the PH model vs the short back focus models in the 600 version. I don’t have much run time with the smaller sensor though.

andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Same as ZWO. One rug up or two up should be PlayerOne but the jury is still out on these.
Rick Krejci avatar
Rick Krejci avatar

I love the AI summary of your post Andrea “andrea tasselli compares PlayerOne cameras to ZWO regarding rug positioning but notes uncertainty.”

Steven Zuhoski avatar
Steven Zuhoski avatar

Dark Matters Astrophotography · Oct 31, 2025, 09:10 PM

Feel free to reach out for help with Moravian. More than happy to help with design and ordering.

I’ll reach out with a call……

Grigory2020 avatar
Grigory2020 avatar

I agree with the opinion on Moravian cameras. I have a Moravian C3-61000 and a 7-slot 50mm round filter wheel. It is not cheap, but it is a great camera!

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Rainer Ehlert avatar
Rainer Ehlert avatar

Have you checked Player One Astronomy cameras? I have a Poseidon-M Pro with filter wheel and OAG and works great.