Probably need a new camera - recommendations?

[KathyNS]

It looks like my Atik 383L+ may not have survived the move. On the old computer (old drivers), I can talk to the cooler and lower the temperature, but the "image" has totally uniform ADU values: all 251 on one test, all 65535 on another, with no noise whatsoever. On the new computer (new drivers), I can't even connect to it. I'll beat on it some more before I give up altogether, but it is not looking good.

Assuming I need to replace it, what would you recommend to replace it with? Cost is most definitely a factor. My objective is LRGB and narrowband imaging of DSOs. I have seen the ASI533MM recommended. Would that be a good replacement for the Atik 383? I see it has smaller pixels and a smaller frame, neither of which is a bad thing.

[EDIT:] Looks like I'd be looking for the Pro (cooled) version of the ASI533.

Any other lowish-cost recommendations?

[Graeme1858]

You probably already know about the FLO Field of View Calculator

If you put your Telescope in you can compile a list of correctly sampled sensor sizes to narrow it down a bit.

Graeme

[yobbo89]

Have you looked at the 294 ? it has a simular size chip to the atik but it cost a little bit more compaired to the 533 , the 533 is alot smaller

I set the fov to match your f4 newt, i think you use that scope the most atm ?


https://astronomy.tools/calculators/fie ... messier=42

[yobbo89]

I have no idea what to look for for electronic repairs for astro cameras, theres very little electronics in them and also understanding the signs of the imaging chip it'self going kaput . try emailing atik for a repair ,they still sell this camera even given it's age . i've had my asi 1600 repaired 3 times and the cost were very minimal .

btw heres the imaging res for your f4 scope

atik383l= 5.4um *res 1.39/pixel (a tiny bit undersampled but still good resolution,no problem in post processing)
533= 3.76 um *res 0.97/pixel (looks pretty good for resolution ,chip is alot smaller)
294= 2.31um *res 0.6/pixel (not ideal in my opinion but still manageable ,good size chip)

[JayTee]

To sum up some of the ideas here. For under $1000 USD you can get these three similar yet somewhat different ZWO MM cameras. Here's the FOV graphic.

Cheers,

[rpineau]

In term of sensor, the IMX533 is great. If you want something with a diagonal close to the KAF8300, the IMX492 is closer (a tiny bit bigger).
I would recommend Player One camera for the quality and support (hardware and software):

Ares-M Pro cooled, IMX533, 16mm diagonal, sensor is the latest generation IMX533 with a deeper full well capacity (better quality than the on found in ZWO camera) :
https://player-one-astronomy.com/produc ... ra-imx533/

Artemis -M Pro cooled, IMX492, 23.2mm diagonal :
https://player-one-astronomy.com/produc ... ed-camera/

With the Artemis-M Pro in hardware bin 2x2 you get a pixels size closer to the KAF8300 (4.630um vs 5.6um for the KAF8300, but smaller pixels are good too ).

As a replacement for a KAF8300 based camera these would be my choices. If you want to go higher, the IMX571 based camera are great (Player One Poseidon-M Pro being one of them, which I have tested and love) and still allows you to use 36mm filters (the diagonal is 28.3mm)

Rodolphe

[yobbo89]

ohh, something i found out is that the asi 294 stock settings is bin 2x2 , hmm which is 4.6um at 14 bit and for some reason this new cmos chip has a function called ''bin 1x1 unlock'' which gives you more resulution and sets at bin 1x1 at 2.3um but you loose 2 bit stops down to 12 bit . totaly different compaired to old cmos chips where bin 2x2 mode losses bit stops , so it seems it's native mode 2x2 at 4.6 um might be a good candidate for your scope , there are a few chips with this feature aswell if you are looking for a different camera .

[KathyNS]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I am getting a used SBIG camera that will be a good match for the Atik.