Daystar Camera Quark

Use this section to discuss "standard" Baader/Coronado/ Lunt SolarView/ Daystar, etc… filters, cameras and scopes. No mods, just questions/ answers and reviews.
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DeepSolar64
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Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Everyone,

Has anyone tried the camera quark by Daystar Filters? I am curious on how it would do.

http://www.daystarfilters.com/Quark/CameraQuark.shtml

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by MalVeauX »

Hi James,

I wouldn't suggest it at all.

It's still just a Quark, same distances for the telecentric and all that. Still need an appropriate focal-ratio regardless of the lens used. So you could just get a Quark, adapt it to EOS mount (should be easy to go from 2" to T2 (M42) to EOS.

The other problem is this implies using a dSLR. I wouldn't get a Quark for use with a dSLR at all. I've done it. It's really not worth it. If you really want a camera on an HA filter pointed at the sun, I would suggest a USB CMOS camera, not a slow, low efficiency dSLR. The Quark's blocking filter is 12mm, so any sensor bigger than that is largely just vignetted and wasted. The dSLR sensor will be insensitive to the wavelength, it will be dim, and slow FPS if you attempt any video photography with it. Also a real bear to focus and hold focus on modern lenses with poor mechanical focus short focus throw mechanisms.

You would actually be way better off with a Takumar M42 (Pentax) based camera lens, it will adapt directly to T2/M48 with a Quark easily, cost nothing (they're dirt cheap on ebay). Plus any camera into the Quark. Long focus mechanism as its a manual lens. Also manual focal-ratio control so you can dial it in to whatever is optimal.

Very best,


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by marktownley »

Totally agree with Marty, I wouldn't go near one.


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Thanks guys. I was just curious. I found it odd that they would have one for a conventional DSLR camera when solar imagers pretty much unanimously prefer high frame rate monochrome video cameras and stacking programs.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by MalVeauX »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 6:31 am Thanks guys. I was just curious. I found it odd that they would have one for a conventional DSLR camera when solar imagers pretty much unanimously prefer high frame rate monochrome video cameras and stacking programs.

James
Hi James,

I put a dSLR on my Quark a few years ago and tried to image with it. It was terrible. Very dim, the sensor was not very sensitive to 656nm and it took a lot of ISO just to see something. The worst part was focusing because the FPS was slow on the dSLR in video and so with variable seeing conditions and a dim image it was annoying to even try to focus.

Granted, this was about 3 years ago and I probably could do it a little better today, but honestly it's really a weak setup compared to even a color USB CMOS video camera is. After the dSLR I used an ASI178MC (color!) and it was night & day difference, the speed was much faster, so much easier to operate, easier to focus, etc, way more sensitive to the wavelength than dSLR. The dSLR I was using was a Canon T4i so it was not ancient, but still, I just can't recommend any dSLR/mSLR at this point. Today's modern dSLR/mSLR with 4K video might have better video performance, but its still going to be low sensitivity and slow FPS compared to a much cheaper CMOS USB camera.

So again, not just drinking the koolaid on camera suggestions, I did it and it was bad:

Image

Image

Image

Very best,


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Marty,
Certainly not close to the USB CMOS camera but it did a little better than I expected. The prom on the first one shows up ok it just lacks the sharpness of the USB camera and stacking method. Also this in natural Ha red. Most people post process their monochrome images in yellow or orange. It there a particular reason why people do not try to restore the natural Ha red color to the images? Of is red less esthetic?

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by MalVeauX »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 8:00 pm Marty,
Certainly not close to the USB CMOS camera but it did a little better than I expected. The prom on the first one shows up ok it just lacks the sharpness of the USB camera and stacking method. Also this in natural Ha red. Most people post process their monochrome images in yellow or orange. It there a particular reason why people do not try to restore the natural Ha red color to the images? Of is red less esthetic?

James
Hi James,

Unsure really, likely has to do with contrast. Some do color their images red. Some do pink. Some do orange. Some do yellow. It's all a personal choice. Then you have to consider that 1 out of 12 males are color blinds to red & green, so that probably plays a role too. Never know!

Very best,


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Marty,

So true. I never thought of that, My stepson has red-green color blindness!

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
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Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by nfotis »

Hello everybody,

I was intrigued by the Camera Quark, because I own a Canon 400mm/5.6L lens (and a 1.4TC), plus APS-C and full frame cameras (80D and 6D).

If that worked well, I would jump on the bandwagon for trying my feet into solar imaging (I don't own a telescope/mount/camera yet).
Still researching the possible options at the moment.

N.F.


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by marktownley »

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't waste your money. Ha and DSLRs really doesn't work.

Mark


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by nfotis »

marktownley wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:29 pm Hi there and welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't waste your money. Ha and DSLRs really doesn't work.

Mark
I am afraid so, I am still researching around, but it seems that I would have to bit the bullet - HARD.

(that would mean a refractor telescope, a EQ5/6 mount/tripod and a monochrome camera - which would translate to around 2.500 EUR before adding the Quark :-( - and the latter seems quite idiosyncratic, judging from the various complaints here and elsewhere)

N.F.
EDIT. Oh, and thanks for the welcome!
Last edited by nfotis on Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by nfotis »

solarchat wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 8:15 pm I do have the same lens on a Canon 1DX Mk II and a camera quark with a Canon adaptor that I have used before with limited success.

I was considering making that the grand prize in the CBSAP fundraiser which starts June 15th.

You could also just buy it for making a donation before the fundraiser for half of whatever the US retail price is now plus shipping. I live in Atlanta.
Thanks for the suggestion/offer. Would you say this particular Quark is a good specimen?
I read about too much variability and QC issues with this type.
I wonder if the Camera Quark could be repurposed later for a refractor scope (eg a 102mm)?
(I live in Athens, Greece, so I guess that complicates things regarding postage, VAT and customs tax)

regards,
N.F.


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by astronomyrob »

Hi all,
I have used my chromo quark on a 840mm skywatcher which doesn't allow full disks. I then saw the Daystar camera attachment advertised and thought this might be good with a 70-300mm traditional zoom lens. Now being a little 'squeaky' I decided to make one ! Purchased a lump of ally and asked a local machine shop to turn me one. Glued a spacer ring inside and bought the ZWO lens attachment shown. I did mail daystar asking for dimensions but surprisingly no reply ! I really am unsure how critical the distance behind the lens to the quark must be. If one of you experts has the dimensions and spaces I'd be very grateful.
I cannot get focus even inserting spacers behind the lens or the quark. Admittedly I have tried to put a dslr on the back to look at its screen and seeing some posts here this seems part of the problem.
I have tried other canon lenses eg 50mm that gives a smaller disc but no focus.
My set up behind the quark is as it would be on a scope so logically the problems in front.

Any knowledge or advise of this assembly would be most welcome....cheers all...rob
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by marktownley »

Welcome to the forum Rob,

No idea about dimensions but the key one will be the one between the back of the camera lens and the Quark. I think it is just a case of experimenting.

Mark


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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by rsfoto »

Hi,

Canon EF back focus is 44mm and Nikon F is 46.5 mm so attaching aything behind a lens larger that will never reach focus.

You would need to build an optical element which makes you backfocus longer.

I did build one 9 years with 4 lenses I had laying around and the result was quite good. Same as you I asked Daystar about some data and guess what, also got no answer. I was going to buy a Quark for this experiment ... but then I did not do it ... and today I am lucky I did not buy one ...

The idea was to place the Quark between the two lens groups and so get a full disk with 500 mm focal length with that Takahashi SKY 90 telescope.

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regards Rainer

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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Rainer,
Do you still have the Sky 90?

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by rsfoto »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:05 am Rainer,
Do you still have the Sky 90?

James
Hi James,

Yes, but I need somebody to collimate it :lol:


regards Rainer

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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

rsfoto wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:27 pm
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:05 am Rainer,
Do you still have the Sky 90?

James
Hi James,

Yes, but I need somebody to collimate it :lol:
If I remember right those scopes had collimation issues. They came out with a Sky 90 II to help with that but the scope is no longer produced. Some state that is the worst scope Takahashi ever made.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
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Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by rsfoto »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:29 pm
rsfoto wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:27 pm
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:05 am Rainer,
Do you still have the Sky 90?

James
Hi James,

Yes, but I need somebody to collimate it :lol:
If I remember right those scopes had collimation issues. They came out with a Sky 90 II to help with that but the scope is no longer produced. Some state that is the worst scope Takahashi ever made.
It is a nice little scope and yes, The way to collimate this scope is an illness. The design of the lens cell too.

I was able to collimate my TOA 130 (Triplet) but never able to collimate that poopy doublet ...

The best doublet is the FS-78 and I have one :shock:


regards Rainer

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Re: Daystar Camera Quark

Post by DeepSolar64 »

rsfoto wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 5:45 pm
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:29 pm
rsfoto wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 3:27 pm

Hi James,

Yes, but I need somebody to collimate it :lol:
If I remember right those scopes had collimation issues. They came out with a Sky 90 II to help with that but the scope is no longer produced. Some state that is the worst scope Takahashi ever made.
It is a nice little scope and yes, The way to collimate this scope is an illness. The design of the lens cell too.

I was able to collimate my TOA 130 (Triplet) but never able to collimate that poopy doublet ...

The best doublet is the FS-78 and I have one :shock:

A friend of mine has an FS-102 and it too is excellent.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

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