3 new ASI cameras has come: ASI224MC ASI185MC ASI178MC. This cameras have Low Noise, High Sensitivity and Fast Speed.
These cameras are the best planetary imaging camera in the world and the cooled version won’t be far away 😉
For more info and orders please visit products pages.
I have the Celestron 8″ SCT with Advanced VX mount and don’t have a camera yet. I’m planning on purchasing a Coronado Solarmax 60 to prepare for the Total Eclipse in August. I know I’ll be with friends for the Total Eclipse in Sourth Carolina and would like to possibly video the output of the solar scope to my laptop and I’m assuming capture too. (It has USB 3.0, so ok there). I’d like to be able to image the whole Sun and also be able to use it for imaging planets and maybe some DSO (but not a priority). What would you suggest? I’d like to keep it under $500, but might go higher. thanks!
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I think you can use ASI174 which is most suitable for solar imaging
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Hello Sam,
I have more questions about using a color camera ( ASI071). To obtain good color one needs to bloat over 4 pixels. I did some math to determine what focal length and aperture size is needed when the image size is 4 pixels. Example: If the FWHM is 4 pixels or 4 * 4.78 = 19.12 um and the seeing is 2” then the required focal length is ( star size * 206.265 ) / seeing = (19.12 * 206.265)/2 = 1971 mm. That would give me a pixel scale of ( 206.265 * 4.78 )/1971 = 0.5 arc-sec / pixel. Then the resolution requirement of the telescope would be the same. Then the aperture size would be 116/0.5 = 232 mm. The size limit of my objects in the sky would be 27 arc-minutes keeping a bloat over 4 pixels. What do I do to image larger objects and bloat enough pixel to get good color? Is this a limitation of a color camera? Thanks, Mathew Maskas
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calculation cannot replace practice, I don’t think it need to to bloat over 4pixels
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Hey Sam,
Point blank….
I have both a 8″ Meade LX200GPS and a Meade ETX 125 and want to start shooting some images of solar system and deep sky objects.
I know there is no perfect cam for either of these scopes, but could you possibly point me in the right direction for choosing one of your excellent cameras to help me persue this new hobby?
The new ASI290MC was recommended by a friend.
Your recommndations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tony
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I think ASI224 or ASI290 should be ok both
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I want to match a camera to a telescope. I want your suggestion for an imaging scope and an opinion on my scope selection method. I am starting by matching the resolution of the camera to the resolution of the scope. Thinking, why have a camera with lower resolution than the telescope. Example, the scope resolution having an 89 mm aperture, using Dawes law is 1.3 arc-sec and a focal length of 600 mm would make the camera resolution of 1.31 arc-sec/pixel using a pixel size of 3.8 um. If seeing equals 4 arc-sec, then the FWHM would be 3 pixels. Do most astronomy photographers operate in the FWHM range of 2-3 pixels? Now, the field of view (FOV) for the ASI1600 is 101 and 76 arc-minutes. This FOV is good for some of the messier objects M8 and smaller. But, what about the smaller objects like M57. Do I use a reducer or can I change resolution on the camera from 4656 x 3520 to 320 x 240 (FOV 6 x 5 arc-minutes). Lastly, how do I know that the image size of the scope is bigger than the camera sensor size when adding a reducer/flatterer or barlow? Thanks for your help in advance. Mathew Maskas
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your calculation is correct, most user have 2-3 arc-set/pixel seeing
but you can shorter the exposure time to freezing seeing
so for M57, you can exposure 1s and use a barlow lens
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Sam,
I am looking to do DSO and also some planetary imagery. I will be using an F/6 80mm APO refractor with a .8 fr/ff. I am considering getting an ASI224 for guiding when doing DSO and an ASI478 for the DSO itself. I was considering having the ASI224 double as a planetary camera without guiding. I am thinking I should get the cooled version of the ASI478 but the ASI224 probably doesn’t need to be cooled. Am I thinking correctly and have I chosen the best cameras for my application? Also, can I get equally as good results with a OSC or should I plan to get the MC cameras for one or both?
Thank you for considering my questions!
Best Regards and Merry Christmas,
Doug
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By MC I meant MonoChrome. Probably should have said just said mono.
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Merry Christmas Doug, you don’t need one cooled camera for planetary imaging or guiding
actually, I would recommend our new ASI1600 or ASI071 for DSO imaging
you can use 224mc for guiding or planetary imaging
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Hi Sam,
I already have an ASI 224MC and I’ve just ordered an ASI 178MC for DSO Imaging. Could you please confirm that the 178MC comes with an IR block window ?
If yes, is it easy to replace by an AR one ? Which diameter (D21 or D25)?
Thanks a lot.
JF
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yes, 178MC come with IR-CUT window, you can replace the AR D21 window
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I’m looking at buying a new” STRICTLY” DSO camera to use in my 8 inch Newtonian astrograph with TV Paracoor type 2, I’e got a new i5 with usb3 ports and an older hp 2000 w usb2 that I use for my planetary cams. Which would better suit my needs ? My DSI lll color just bit the dust and I’ve spent weeks trying to decide which would be the better fit for my newt.
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I think the new i5 would be better
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I have an 8″ Edge HD SCT. Would the 1600 be the best all around camera for DSO and Planetary? Thanks.
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yes, but you need barlow for planetary imaging and reducer for DSO imaging
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Can a usb3 camera still be used with a laptop that only has Usb 2 ports ?
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yes, just slower speed
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Hello Sam,
Is there a liquid cooled version in the works?
Think of prime focus imaging and those jets of warm air from the heat sink.
Thanks,
Laszlo
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no, we don’t have plan for such version
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Hello Sam
Could you please tell me which camera would best suit my set of a Skywatcher ED100 f9 refractor. I would like to get into planetary, lunar and solar imaging.
Thank you
Regards
David
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I think you can use ASI224MC or ASI185MC if you more prefer to lunar or solar imaging
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Hey Stan,
I am looking for a low noise DSO camera for under 500 bucks..I am having trouble deciding which of your ZWO’S will fit the bill.After reading through the above I have ruled out the 85,the 1600 is out of my price range and I am looking at the 178 non cooled..Is the best for me or would you reccomend another? also will no cooling have a major effect? Also looked at some in the 120 series.My fate is in your hands..lol..
thanks
Steve
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I think maybe 178 is the best suitable for you
high resolution and l/1.8″format
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I am very very new to astrophotography….my computer is a MAC…which camera do you recommend..which one is a good one to learn and is very easy to use. thank you!
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all our USB3.0 cameras are suggested
maybe you can start from ASI224MC which is the best color planetary cam
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Dear Sam,
Though I am a proud owner of an AS120MC, I would like to upgrade to your best solution for Sun, Moon, planetary and DSO. I have a Tak TSA102 and a Mewlon 250.
What would you recommend?
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I think you can consider ASI290MC, higher resolution, lower read noise, faster fps
you can also consider ASI1600 if you need a more DSO imaging camera
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Hello Sam,
I am new to astrophotography am looking for a all in on color camera that will mostly be used for dso photography. I’ve read and compared the specs on multiple cameras and I’m leaning towards the 185MC but I have not been able to find many photos taken with the 185MC or any reviews on it. What is your recommendation?
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the amp-glow of 185 is larger than others, so not very suitable for dso imaging
you’d better pick up our newest ASI1600
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Hello Sam
I odered 178Mc just few minutes ago.
I’m very expecting fot this product to take photos for moon & planets.
Thank you.
Eugene from S. Korea
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yes, this is a very good camera for moon and planets
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Hi Sam
I would liKe to Know if the 178MC-cool can be used for high resolution pictures instead of just videos. One vendor informed me that the camera is more for video, and that I can get stills by screen capture. I am interested in imaging DSOs using 80 mm F/6 scope. My current DSLR is a bit noisy, and I would liKe to try a cooled camera.
ThanKs
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yes, it can be used for high resolution imaging through our ASCOM driver
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I currently have a 120MC-S , and an 8SE celestron. I have a USB 3 port on my computer. I want to know which of these cameras is the best for planetary images? The ASI224MC ASI185MC or ASI178MC.
I do not really understand a lot of the specifications. I currently use a 2X barlow when I take images with the 224mc
Thank you,
Greg
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Hi Greg
I think 224 is the best planetary imaging color camera
but 185 and 178 is better for lunar and solar imaging because they have a larger sensor
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Hello Sam,
I’m a very keen astro-photographer and I take pictures of DSOs as well as the Moon and planets. I already have a very good ATIK camera for deep sky stuff and I would like a newer camera for the Moon and planets. I’m thinking of buying the ZWO ASI224MC-Cool. Will it run on my HP Pavilion g series laptop running Windows 7. If I stick with the USB2 links what effect will this have on download speeds and video rates?
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I think maybe ASI174MC-Cool or ASI178MC-Cool is better if you need an all in one camera
the sensor of 224 is still a little small for DSO and solar or lunar imaging
USB2.0 will limit the download speed, maybe you are right to choose 224 if you stick to usb2.0
the speed of 224 only drop to half if connect to 2.0 port, but 174 and 178 is far faster than 224
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Sam,
Is it possible to have the best of two worlds, planetary and deepsky camera with the cooled monochrome 174 ?
Does the cooled one can keep a fast frames/sec. ?
Thanks,
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yes, cooled camera will have the same fps
the best of the two worlds, that’s our goal!
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