ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

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brenski
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ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#1

Post by brenski »


Hi
recently bought one of these cameras. i'm completely new to imaging, but really keen to make progress.
at the moment I've got the ZWO ASI178MC connected to a Netbook PC and a Bresser 75/350 (i intend to use my SkyWatcher 200p on an EQ5 goto Synscan) and have used the default ASI software to get the image below - i would like to think i can do much better than this.

>> better software to use for capturing images and video - for lunar, solar, planetary and dso
>> best settings for images and clips
>> what video filetype VLC will recognise and playback (ASI's .avi is incompatible with VLC - it will work in Windows Med Player)
>> how to "know" you've got DSOs worth processing, when these can't actually be seen onscreen

thanks

ZWO .avi properties are::

length: 00:00:36
frame width: 3096
frame height: 2080
data rate: 772787 kbps
total bitrate: 772787 kbps
frame rate: 5.00 frames/second
file size: 3,516,180,992 (3.27gb)
moon copy.jpg
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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#2

Post by Dragonsfire »


If you used Registax you can get a crisp image by stacking.
I personally found SER files easier to use, Get PIPP (free) to prosess the ser files then Registax. Lots of youtube videos on those.
Neil
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Filters Baader Continuum, UV/IF cut, Lumicon UHC, DGM OIII. ND5/3.8 Kendrick
GX1 Lumix, E-PM2, ASI224mc, SteadyPix Deluxe, iOptron SkyTracker 7.7lb
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JayTee United States of America
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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#3

Post by JayTee »


Hello and welcome,

Don't forget to stop by the Introductions forum to tell us a bit about yourself.


>> better software to use for capturing images and video for lunar, solar, planetary and dso -- Most folks use either SharpCap or Fire Capture (both are free) for planetary/lunar imaging. Your camera is not well suited for capturing DSO images because the sensor and pixels are tiny meaning you are looking at a very, very small piece of sky which is why it is well suited for planetary/lunar imaging.
>> best settings for images and clips -- you will need to experiment with your own camera/scope combo to determine this.
>> what video filetype VLC will recognise and playback (ASI's .avi is incompatible with VLC - it will work in Windows Med Player) -- The stacking software, please use AutoStakkert 3 (also free), is your best bet for seeing and processing what you got.
>> how to "know" you've got DSOs worth processing, when these can't actually be seen onscreen -- Planetary/lunar imaging is an entirely different game than DSO imaging. For your post, I'm concentrating on planetary/lunar imaging and processing.

Most folks don't use Registax 6 for stacking their lunar/planetary images. We use AutoStakkert 2 or 3, then use the "Wavelets" function in Registax 6 for the sharpening and contrast adjustments. Then a quick run through by other graphics software like photoshop.

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
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∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#4

Post by bladekeeper »


Made this if it is of any use at all: https://www.theskysearchers.com/viewtop ... =22&t=3893 :)
Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
Binoculars: Pentax PCF WP II 10×50, Bresser Corvette 10×50, Bresser Hunter 16×50 and 8×40, Garrett Gemini 12×60 LW, Gordon 10×50, Apogee 20×100

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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#5

Post by brenski »


wow. loads to absorb, thanks for the advice, guys.
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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#6

Post by Gordon »


Congratulations on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!!

app.php/article/3-10-2020-tss-astrophot ... of-the-day
Gordon
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
Filters: LRGB, Ha 7nm, O-III 7nm, S-II 7nm
Eyepieces: a few.
Primary software: Cartes du Ciel, N.I.N.A, StarTools V1.4.

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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#7

Post by Graeme1858 »


Welcome to the Forum Brenski.

Great image for a first time out with a new camera.

Congratulations on the APOD.

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#8

Post by helicon »


Good job Brenski - nice first effort at AP! Congrats on the award and welcome to the Forums.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
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Re: ZWO ASI178MC: Starting Out Imaging With

#9

Post by Makuser »


Hello Brenski. A great first image with your new camera. Thanks for sharing this capture with us Brenski, and congratulations on winning the TSS APOD Award.
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
Kamakura 7x35 Binoculars and Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars. ZWO ASI 120MC camera.
>)))))*>
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