| |
Main
Date: 15 May 2007 10:11:04
From:
Subject: Which webcam/imagers should I buy?
|
Hello Group,
I am considering buying Celestrons NexImage Imager for around $99.
However, I noticed that this product has been around for a few years,
since 2004 or 2005.
The quality and capabilities of imaging chips appears to be constantly
evolving and since the NexImage has been out for a while is there
another similar imager that has better specs (resolution, larger pixel
size, etc.) or is this imager pretty much the best thing considering
price and capability?
My goal is to image the moon, planets, and the sun. I assume an
imager for these bright objects would not be suitable for deep sky
faint fuzzies.
Any thoughts or opinions?
Thanks in advance,
Scott
|
|
| |
Date: 16 May 2007 04:45:46
From: RMOLLISE
Subject: Re: Which webcam/imagers should I buy?
|
On May 15, 12:11 pm, scottupno...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello Group,
>
> I am considering buying Celestrons NexImage Imager for around $99.
> However, I noticed that this product has been around for a few years,
> since 2004 or 2005.
>
> The quality and capabilities of imaging chips appears to be constantly
> evolving and since the NexImage has been out for a while is there
> another similar imager that has better specs (resolution, larger pixel
> size, etc.) or is this imager pretty much the best thing considering
> price and capability?
>
> My goal is to image the moon, planets, and the sun. I assume an
> imager for these bright objects would not be suitable for deep sky
> faint fuzzies.
>
> Any thoughts or opinions?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Scott
Hi:
The Neximage camera is a good choice for the Moon and planets and is
actually quite sensitive as webcams go (it uses a CCD chip rather than
the CMOS sensor of some current webcams), though, as you observe,
nowhere near sensitive enough for faint fuzzies (unless you want to
undertake a hardware mod).
Yes, imaging chips have come a long way in the last few years, but you
will STILL not best webcams like this one (very similar to the Toucam)
unless you want to spend the money for a Luminera camera or similar.
My only suggestions? Be sure you upgrade to the latest version of
Registax (free) rather than use the early version that comes on the CD
with the Neximage. Oh, and do yourself a favor and spend the money for
K3CCD Tools (though the camera control/image acquisition program that
comes on the Neximage disk works).
Oh, and if you're after high resolution, you need to get the image
scale up. I generally shoot at f/20 or f/30 with the Neximage with my
SCTs. Naturally, Registax or no, you gotta have THE SEEING. ;-)
Unk Rod
|
| |
Date: 16 May 2007 03:05:54
From: Terry B
Subject: Re: Which webcam/imagers should I buy?
|
<scottupnorth@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1179249064.518794.170980@e51g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> Hello Group,
>
> I am considering buying Celestrons NexImage Imager for around $99.
> However, I noticed that this product has been around for a few years,
> since 2004 or 2005.
>
>
> Scott
>
The celesron camera is not very sensitive. It depends on what you want to do
with it. Take a look at
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=143.0
There are various versions of these cameras being sold around the world
under different names and they are very good value for money.
Terry B
Armidale
NSW
|
| |
Date: 15 May 2007 21:58:58
From: Carsten A. Arnholm
Subject: Re: Which webcam/imagers should I buy?
|
scottupnorth@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello Group,
>
> I am considering buying Celestrons NexImage Imager for around $99.
> However, I noticed that this product has been around for a few years,
> since 2004 or 2005.
>
> The quality and capabilities of imaging chips appears to be constantly
> evolving and since the NexImage has been out for a while is there
> another similar imager that has better specs (resolution, larger pixel
> size, etc.) or is this imager pretty much the best thing considering
> price and capability?
>
> My goal is to image the moon, planets, and the sun. I assume an
> imager for these bright objects would not be suitable for deep sky
> faint fuzzies.
>
> Any thoughts or opinions?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Scott
Hello Scott,
For the moon, planets, and the sun, you might consider buying a standard
Philips SPC900NC CCD webcam. Just buy a so called "Mogg adapter" for it and
plug it into your 1.25" eyepiece holder. If you are good with electronics,
you can even modify it and image deep sky objects with such a camera.
If you need more advice, the Yahoo group QCUIAG is the place to be!
Clear skies
Carsten A. Arnholm
http://arnholm.org/
N59.776 E10.457
|
|
