Which mono camera for Lunt 50THa ?

[HansH]

Hi all,

Have been doing a "search" on the forum on this model and looking for camera's used in operations.
A staggering >8000 results came.. Decided I best open a new topic for this.

The bottomless pit called astronomy forced to push me the brakes a bit, yet when looking at all nice results on this forum, the pressure on the kettle growing to invest in a mono camera... yet want to do this with modest budget.

If I see, just as recent example, what member "Taratasy" is able to produce with ZWO ASI 120MM-S camera, which relative cheap camera, it makes me wonder if at all I should invest huge amount. My bar is not set this high......... yet.

There are limitations to the Lunt 50, guess also I should set myself some limitations..
The choice is big, same are the opinions on camera's.

Looking for advice on this matter, where to keep in mind I set my max limiter at around Euro 750.....

Suggestions welcome.

Clear skies,
Hans.

[marktownley]

Hiya Hans.

I'm going to use a PGR Chameleon 3 when I buy my Lunt50.

Mark

[HansH]

Chameleon on my shortlist as well, only availability seems to be a problem.
So do ASI 174 and PGR Grashopper fit my shortlist..

Still don't get the feeling I am convinced what to choose.

Anyone experience with ASI 178 MM by chance ?

Such active forum, was hoping/expecting some more reactions then just Mark.
But who knows, they may come still..

Hans

[Brendan]

Hi Hans, I use a PGR Grasshopper 3 (IMX252 chip) on my Lunt 50 and am very happy with it.

[pedro]

If possible buy a camera with a CCD (e.g PGR Grasshopper)

I use two:
GRASSHOPPER 3 2.8 MP MONO (GS3-U3-28S5M-C)
http://re.apaaweb.com/grasshopper3.pdf
GRASSHOPPER 3 2.8 MP MONO (GS3-U3-28S4M-C)
http://re.apaaweb.com/grasshopper3.pdf

I also use a ZWO ASI174MM
Technical Specs:
Sensor: 1/1.2" CMOS IMX174LLJ / IMX174LQJ
Resolution: 2.3Mega Pixels 1936×1216
Pixel Size: 5.86µm
Exposure Rage: 32µs-1000s
ROI: Supported
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate: 12bit output(12bit ADC)
Adaptor: 2" / 1.25" / M42 X 0.75
Dimension: f62mm X 41mm
Weight: 140g
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C

In my opinion you will get better results with the PGR G3 (either model). 75o euros will buy a second hand PGR

[HansH]

Tnx for very helpfull reactions sofar.

Have to stick a bit, I told myself this time , to the budget.. We usually know what that leads to.

As to the Grashopper, there is the version Brendan was mentioning, which allows me to stay in budget, which on my list already.
ASI 174 on my list as mentioned before, but pixel size bigger (5.86)

To what I was reading several times is that pixel size on a short focus unit like Lunt50 should be "the smaller the better".
Where my hesistation is, is the fact that I also want to use the cam in my longer focal length Evolution 6" for night operations.
In that case would 3.45 pixelsize purchase be wise, or better consider 5.86 ?

Pleased to hear.

Hans.

[marktownley]

I've tried full disks with both 3.45 and 5.86 um pixel sensors, both will work, but, for longer focal lengths the bigger pixels are the winners.

[HansH]

Now getting somewhere with all suggestions. Direction found.

Big thanks to all.

Hans.

[MapleRidge]

Hi Hans...

I am slow getting to this topic, and the others here have all given excellent suggestions.

Camera choice is always a challenge...many of us own several cameras to use for specific requirements.

To buy one camera is a compromise on many fronts but I might suggest the larger pixel option which will permit good image scale when you use a barlow to image smaller regions of interest or move to a larger scope at some point. The 174 chip on the LS50 should still give full disk even with a 2x barlow. Full disk images are always under sampled, but the really spectacular images come with some magnification.

If you use the camera for solar work alone you have fewer competing uses to deal with. Any solar setup will work nicely on the moon through and equal focal length scope and they can usually give good planetary results with an appropriate barlow to get the image scale needed.

I'm in the multi camera club and use the ZWO 174, and 1600 mono cameras and a PGR ICX674 chipped camera for solar. For planetary the ZWO290 is the main camera and the 174 is used there some times as well. If I had to narrow it down to one, I would likely go with the IMX174 chip...very versatile and available from several manufacturer's/price ranges.

Good luck selecting a camera.

Brian

[ThomasHu]

I suggest QHY178M~ I'm using the QHY178C