Help understanding cameras for telescopes

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Bearcatrp
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Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#1

Post by Bearcatrp »


Maybe I am not getting it so thought I would ask. Cell phone isn't cutting it anymore so time to research these little cameras for telescopes. Am a noob so be gentle. As I look at these cameras like this for example:
ZWO ASI224MC Color Camera ASI224MC
When using this instead of a eyepiece, the camera has a fixed resolution, correct? Or does it zoom like when we change from a 25mm to a 10mm eyepiece?
Can I keep my eye piece in from the side while the camera is installed from the back? Or will the eye piece interfere with the camera?
Not going to spend allot for my 1st camera. But do want to be equivalent to my 10mm eyepiece, if there is such a thing.
Appreciate all comments and suggestions. Thanks.
Meade StarNavigator NG 125mm Maksutov Telescope
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sdbodin United States of America
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#2

Post by sdbodin »


OK, a good choice for planetary imaging, but maybe more like a 6mm eyepiece they have 1/3" chips. QHY has the equivalent for a few bucks less, I have the QHY5L-II both color and mono and both worked well on planets. These un-cooled cameras are fine for this type of pic taking, but not good for DSOs.

And these are all placed in the scope focuser in place of the eyepiece. But, beware, with such small field of view, it is hard to get the target in view, especially at night when us clumsy people are knocking thing about. Will require some trials and patience. You'll pull your hair out trying to focus too. Usually starting with the moon helps as it is big enough to get on the computer monitor anyway.

If you want a bit more field of view, look for a 1/2" chip camera, I'll leave you with that homework.

Good luck,
Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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JayTee United States of America
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#3

Post by JayTee »


Hi,

I'll try to answer your questions. first off, the cameras have a fixed sensor and pixel size and that does not change so you'll get one resolution / magnification. The magnification for most of the small sensor planetary webcams is roughly equivalent to a 6 to 8 mm eyepiece.

The ZWO ASI 120MC or the 224MC as you point out are both very affordable cameras. They should give you a reasonably good image on a computer screen of the planets. Don't expect a lot from DSOs for these cameras through your telescope. For the moon and the planets these cameras should work just fine.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#4

Post by Bearcatrp »


Awesome replies. Helped allot. Will start researching 1/2 inch sensors.

JayTee, hows the weather these days in Hawaii? Was stationed at Schofield Barracks from 78 to 82. Sure miss that place.
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sdbodin United States of America
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#5

Post by sdbodin »


Wow another expat, I was on Kauai from '75 to '81.

Just thought of one thing more, you will need a UV/IR filter with these otherwise that extended IR sensitivity will do all sorts of bad things. This is a simple sometimes call a Lum filter $30 range.

Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#6

Post by JayTee »


It may be paradise but I haven't had a useable sky for AP since January!!! For AP, this place is NOT good. But for everything else (except the cost of living) it's pretty nice!

JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#7

Post by Bearcatrp »


sdbodin wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:22 am Wow another expat, I was on Kauai from '75 to '81.

Just thought of one thing more, you will need a UV/IR filter with these otherwise that extended IR sensitivity will do all sorts of bad things. This is a simple sometimes call a Lum filter $30 range.

Steve
Thanks for the tip. Doing a search last night on multiple web sites for cameras, most cameras were out of stock. Will keep looking.
Meade StarNavigator NG 125mm Maksutov Telescope
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#8

Post by Bearcatrp »


JayTee wrote: Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:03 am It may be paradise but I haven't had a useable sky for AP since January!!! For AP, this place is NOT good. But for everything else (except the cost of living) it's pretty nice!

JT
Wow, thats surprising. Where do you set up at?
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#9

Post by JayTee »


I live about a third of the way up Kamehame ridge (the easternmost inhabited ridge). You can see Sandy Beach from my backyard which is where I setup. Koko crater towers over my Southern horizon and Honolulu's light pollutes my Western horizon. But from the zenith to my Eastern horizon (the whole eastern half of my sky) is a Bortle 4.
Image

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

Image
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#10

Post by Bearcatrp »


Surprised its not better there for star gazing. Close to bellows beach. Got nailed by a Portuguese man o war on that beach. That hurt. Hanauma Bay is another favorite I visited allot. Came across a fish allot bigger than me snoring there. Got the hell out of the water fairly fast. Been trying to come back for a vacation to visit the old stomping grounds. Waimea Bay and Waikiki beach was my favorites. Enjoyed watching the surfing competitions on the north shore. Pipe line was cool to watch. Maybe some day, I will get a trip back.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#11

Post by Bearcatrp »


Looking around at cameras, found this meade thats in stock. Its a 1/3 sensor but the ones I am wanting are out of stock or back ordered. Is this one ok for a beginner?
https://www.meade.com/accessories/camer ... uider.html
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#12

Post by JayTee »


I don't know what your budget is but the ZWO camera with the same sensor is $349 and available from the ZWO site (or at least it seems to be) https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/pr ... 78mc-color

Check it out because I don't trust Meade when it comes to cameras. There has to be a reason why it is nearly half the price of the ZWO offering.

Cheers,
JT

BTW, Hanauma Bay is right on the other side of Koko Crater. Takes me about 9 minutes to get there!
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

Image
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sdbodin United States of America
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#13

Post by sdbodin »


I have found this camera, QHY5L-II color, to be a deal if all you want is a good planetary and lunar detail pic taker.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/qhy ... gL9XvD_BwE

I like the form factor, just like an inch and a quarter eyepiece. Makes the initial focusing a bit easier as you can just slide it up and down to see which way is the focus. Following pic of Jupiter taken a couple years back. I'm not a planetary specialist, just a quick snap now and then.
jup_22may_16f20c_reg.jpg
BTW, both Meade and Celestron do not make cameras. Then re-brand other peoples stuff and tack on some extra bucks.

Clear skies,
Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#14

Post by Bearcatrp »


sdbodin wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:48 am I have found this camera, QHY5L-II color, to be a deal if all you want is a good planetary and lunar detail pic taker.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/qhy ... gL9XvD_BwE

I like the form factor, just like an inch and a quarter eyepiece. Makes the initial focusing a bit easier as you can just slide it up and down to see which way is the focus. Following pic of Jupiter taken a couple years back. I'm not a planetary specialist, just a quick snap now and then.

Image

BTW, both Meade and Celestron do not make cameras. Then re-brand other peoples stuff and tack on some extra bucks.

Clear skies,
Steve
Thanks for the info. From what I have reading on these cameras, USB3 is better for bandwidth when taking pictures. I did see that one yesterday while searching and saw its USB2. Not sure how important USB is though.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#15

Post by Bearcatrp »


JayTee wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:40 am I don't know what your budget is but the ZWO camera with the same sensor is $349 and available from the ZWO site (or at least it seems to be) https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/pr ... 78mc-color

Check it out because I don't trust Meade when it comes to cameras. There has to be a reason why it is nearly half the price of the ZWO offering.

Cheers,
JT

BTW, Hanauma Bay is right on the other side of Koko Crater. Takes me about 9 minutes to get there!
Thanks for the info. Can't tell if its in stock or not. Found another one on there web site that states low quantity in stock. From other web sites I have seen, a few others I have my eye on state shipping end of july. May wait until 1 august to see what pops up in stock.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#16

Post by Bearcatrp »


Can't find any ZWO cameras in stock so looking at QHY. Came across this one:
https://www.highpointscientific.com/tel ... ii462c-std
For a first time camera buyer and beginner, would this be a good starter camera? Are these cameras software specific? Thanks.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#17

Post by ram »


If that's the new planetary camera from QHY, the shots I've seen with it are amazing. Including some DSOs as well. The QHY users group on Facebook has posts from users and I'm impressed. Yeah, that's the one - there was a post of the Eagle Nebula with that today. it's a good all rounder based on what people are posting in the Facebook group, check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/345630245972798

(I'm a QHY person myself. Like many things, they tend to like you to lock you into ecosystems and I try to buck it - I have a ZWO EFW - but ultimately the hassle isn't worth it and I'm going to get a QHY EFW one of these years.)

--Ram
Tubes: Celestron 9.25" 235mm f/10 XLT EdgeHD SCT; Meade ETX 80mm f/5 achromat; Coronado SolarMax II 60mm f/6.6 Hα <0.7Å BF10 solar; Stellarvue 70mm f/6 triplet apochromat; Obsession UC18 457mm f/4.2 with Argo Navis & ServoCAT; Takahashi FS128 5" f/8.1 and FC100DF 4" f/7.4 fluorite doublet apochromats. Mounts: AVX; LXD75; Paramount MyT. Eyepieces: 2" Tele Vue Ethos 4.7/13/21mm, Paracorr, 2,4x Powermate; Stellarvue 0.8x, Takahashi 0.7x, 0.66x reducer/corrector. Cameras: ZWO ASI120MC-S; Lodestar X2c; X2m; Canon T7i; QHY163M; QHY247C; QHY294M-Pro. Filters: 1.25" Astrodon 5nm Ha, 3nm O3 and S2; Chroma LRGB.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#18

Post by Bearcatrp »


Thanks for the reply. What kind of software works with this camera? My old laptop is a I5 with USB3 and Win7. Am hoping this will suffice for whatever software I need to get.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#19

Post by ram »


I still use SharpCap and I think it's great for a beginner. I have a laptop from 2014 I use for this. But I had to replace Windows 7 with Windows 10 so you may give it a shot and see. The 64 bit vs. 32 bit is going be the issue to get the most of the camera but SharpCap has 32 bit versions. Now, SharpCap isn't all free - there's a free version which has a lot of functionality but the Pro version has extra features. Try it and see. There's a lot of free software too and EZCAP that comes with QHY should run on Win 7 without problems (EZCAP is the native software for this camera, i.e., from the same company, but basically you can use any capturing software that can "see" this camera to use it, SharpCap being one among them that seems to be recommended by QHY itself).

--Ram
Tubes: Celestron 9.25" 235mm f/10 XLT EdgeHD SCT; Meade ETX 80mm f/5 achromat; Coronado SolarMax II 60mm f/6.6 Hα <0.7Å BF10 solar; Stellarvue 70mm f/6 triplet apochromat; Obsession UC18 457mm f/4.2 with Argo Navis & ServoCAT; Takahashi FS128 5" f/8.1 and FC100DF 4" f/7.4 fluorite doublet apochromats. Mounts: AVX; LXD75; Paramount MyT. Eyepieces: 2" Tele Vue Ethos 4.7/13/21mm, Paracorr, 2,4x Powermate; Stellarvue 0.8x, Takahashi 0.7x, 0.66x reducer/corrector. Cameras: ZWO ASI120MC-S; Lodestar X2c; X2m; Canon T7i; QHY163M; QHY247C; QHY294M-Pro. Filters: 1.25" Astrodon 5nm Ha, 3nm O3 and S2; Chroma LRGB.
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Re: Help understanding cameras for telescopes

#20

Post by sdbodin »


Yup, I use the EZCAP that came with my QHY5 on an old XP machine and it works fine. Not the swiftest of downloading or capture rate, but then it is only USB2. You should be good.

Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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