Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

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thesmiths
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Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by thesmiths »

The newest solar planetary / solar system camera from ZWO is the ASI 294MM. It is positioned as the successor to the venerable ASI1600MM. There is of course also a cooled version, which is also positioned as the successor to the ASI1600MM for "mid-size" (4/3") deep sky imaging.

One advantage of this camera supposed to be the the unlocking of 1x1 binning with a 2.3 micron pixel size. The default 2x2 binning gives effective 4.63 micron pixels, versus the 3.8 microns for the ASI1600MM. The quantum efficiency is around 1.5 times greater and the resolution and dynamic range are also greater.

Christian Buil has done a thorough technical analysis (dated March 2021), although his focus is mainly spectroscopy:
http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/asi294mm.html

There are quite a few reviews on the cooled version for deep sky imaging but I have not seen any other reviews of the uncooled version.


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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by thesmiths »

I did a search on this website for "ASI294MM" and found two members who have posted images with this new camera. You know who you are. Are you able to give any feedback on the camera?


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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by marktownley »

It's not me!


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ZWO ASI 294MM camera

Post by thesmiths »

I will try again to ask the question. This time to ammonthenephite and sulcis2000. What do you guys think of new ASI 294MM camera? Good for solar? Do you also use it for other astro applications?


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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by marktownley »

Maybe drop them a PM? Not everybody checks all sections all the time...


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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by hopskipson »

thesmiths wrote: Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:34 pm The newest solar planetary / solar system camera from ZWO is the ASI 294MM. It is positioned as the successor to the venerable ASI1600MM. There is of course also a cooled version, which is also positioned as the successor to the ASI1600MM for "mid-size" (4/3") deep sky imaging.

One advantage of this camera supposed to be the the unlocking of 1x1 binning with a 2.3 micron pixel size. The default 2x2 binning gives effective 4.63 micron pixels, versus the 3.8 microns for the ASI1600MM. The quantum efficiency is around 1.5 times greater and the resolution and dynamic range are also greater.

Christian Buil has done a thorough technical analysis (dated March 2021), although his focus is mainly spectroscopy:
http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/asi294mm.html

There are quite a few reviews on the cooled version for deep sky imaging but I have not seen any other reviews of the uncooled version.
Would unlocking the binning slow the capture rate? The frame rate is already pretty slow at 16.3 fps. I guess for full disks it would be fine although a bit large for most amateur sized scopes.


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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by hopskipson »



James
These pretzels are making me thirsty! (C.C.)
The Quark introduced me to this wonderful side of the hobby and the sun hasn’t disappointed yet.
Solar Equipment: Solar Spectrum RG-18 0.3A, Coronado Solarmax 90mm etalon Isle of Man SN-001, Tuscon SN-380 and Meade SM2, Lunt LS80 DS, Quark Chromosphere, Lunt 2" wedge, 2-Lunt CaK II 1200, Baader 3.8 and 5.0 solar film in 208mm cells, and 3D printed Sol'Ex SHG, Lunt 40mm
Coming Soon: Solar Spectrum CaK II <1A filter
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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by DanielBrousseau »

Got this today with my 294 mono, binned 3x, SW 120ED, Baader wedge.
Excellent for full disk.
Attachments
21 juin 2021.jpg
21 juin 2021.jpg (174.37 KiB) Viewed 1819 times


Phantom 140 f/6.5, SW newton 254mm f/5, Quark Chromosphere, Lunt 60mm Universal, Baader ceramic wedge, ASI174 mono, ASI294 mono, ASI290 mono,
Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by thesmiths »

To Daniel: that is very good. As I expected, an excellent choice for full disks, given the large sensor size and the small pixels. With the size of scope you used, was 3x binning the best choice in this case?


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Re: Has anyone tried the new ZWO ASI 294MM camera?

Post by DanielBrousseau »

Sorry to be so late, well I took bin 3x3x because it was easier for processing.
No nead for more detail !


Phantom 140 f/6.5, SW newton 254mm f/5, Quark Chromosphere, Lunt 60mm Universal, Baader ceramic wedge, ASI174 mono, ASI294 mono, ASI290 mono,
Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
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