JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have several cameras I use, but keep wondering if the CCD cameras are a better choice. And the merits of color CCDs vs monochrome CCDs with filters.

Any opinions?

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Hi Jim the color CCDs vs monochrome CCDs with filters are used for different types of photography I believe.
And the Picture Quality between DSLR and CCD all depends on how much you want to spend in either direction.
My 2c worth is I like to shoot Nebula and other DSOs so I believe the Mono CCD w/Filter Wheel would be the best option for me???
Look forward to other comments.
Craig

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

One first and foremost is that most astro CCD cameras are fan cooled. That alone got my interest.
DSLR's do not have that. (I originally had it in mind to use my DSLR as my camera. I evolved away from that)

I am still on the fence about Color Vs: Monochrome. I chose color.
No particular reason, it just made sense to me since I like color images. And I shy away from "manufacturing" color into my images.
For the same price, Orion offers entry level CCD's in both.
Orion CCD Color
Orion CCD Monochrome
Of course there are a ton of others on the market. I just chose to try and keep my equipment simpler for me.

What I would like to have (now) is an astro video camera for live viewing, and in HD. I settled for an eyepiece camera, but it is not for deep space. But it fit the budget at the time.

Getting back to comparisons of CCD Vs: DSLR, Orion has this graphic on their web site under the CCD's: (TEC stands for Thermo Electric Cooling)
http://www.telescope.com/assets/product_files/images/53082/DarkFrameCompare_G3coolerCropped.jpg

Are those tiny stars, or are they sensor noise?

Also, an astro imaging CCD mounts directly to the telescope. In my choices, I have an imaging flip mirror box I have an eyepiece mount and the CCD camera mounted to the back of the flip mirror box. It makes a solid assymbly.
One huge advantage I found with this configuration is with dark frames. Merely flip the mirror down and the camera is blocked. Shoot the dark frame(s), flip the mirror back for imaging, and take light frames.
(Of course, I will often flip the mirror to use my eyepiece, then wonder why I am not getting an image on the camera. :? I have lots of DUH moments....)

These are the ways and whys of why I have a CCD in my imaging train.
I also have the T-adaptor to mount my DSLR. But don't often make the switch.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Thank you Craig. I am also studying various web sites and so far concluding that the mono CCD out does the color CCD which in turn out does the DSLR. I have gotten some nice results with the DSLR, but I think it is better with Stars than DSO's. I will have to do some more study of this.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Thanks Sonny for your information. I am giving this some thought. It would be interesting to see a comparison CCD vs DSLR on the same object under the same conditions.

Algol Loc: Georgia

That is a difficult question. The benefits of a DSLR are its simplicity to use (in relation to a CCD camera). I have used both and at this moment I use a Canon 60Da but you have to be careful because it is far more red sensitive and will give you a lot of red stars especially the fainter ones. But as for nebulae it cannot be beat.
CCD cameras on the other hand have a steeper learning curve. I haven't dealt with the color CCD cameras (the planetary camera I now use is an exception), but have had considerable time with a monochrome CCD. They require a computer to operate and one has to go through image processing even more so than with a DSLR (in my humble opinion). But they also produce better images, at least the high end ones. The filters add to the cost and to get a set of matched filters that are correct in their respective wavelength can get very expensive.
I guess it all boils down to what you would like to do with it. I have a CCD in mind for my future works but it will be mostly monochrome H-alpha imaging which works even in light polluted skies, but that is another story.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Some good things to think about.

Thanks Jerry

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have been doing some Googling, and one thing that keeps popping up is the Sony A7S vs CCDs. And in particular, a modified Sony A7S which removes the IR filter allowing it to become full spectrum.

Hearing things like: A modified Sony A7R is 2-3 stops better than the Canon 60A. And a modified Sony A7S is 2-3 stops better than the A7R.

And comments like no need to use auto tracking with the A7S since all captures are now in the 1 to 2 min range.

I have seen work that is posted and it is fantastic.

Leaves me wondering.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

YOU NEED AN A7S...
YOU NEED AN A7S...
YOU NEED AN A7S...
YOU NEED AN A7S...
:lol:

Jim, you know that's where you are going.
So surrender to the gravitational pull...

YOU NEED AN A7S...
YOU NEED AN A7S...
YOU NEED AN A7S...
YOU NEED AN A7S...
:lol:

I have to go stand in the sun and clean a pool...
Before it gets into the 90's here, headed for the 100's+...
It's gone up 10 degrees in 30 minutes.

I vill be bach...

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

IMHO if you have the choice mono over color, because a monochrome sensor is more sensitive than its counterpart with a Bayer matrix covering the sensor. A high QE/quantum efficiency is also something to look for when choosing a CCD sensor. The advantages of a DSLR along with those mentioned above is you can get a large field of view compared to a CCD in the same price range.

proteus1 Loc: NEVADA

OK - Just a general reply to all, I have a Nikon D600 DSLR, as we all know it has a CMOS sensor, I also have a Nikon D80 DSLR witch has a CCD sensor. How does the Nikon D80 CCD sensor compare with with the astro type CCD's ? ?


WALT

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

No fan to cool it?

I have a simple mind, and simple pleasures. :roll:

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

In all honesty not at all as far as QE is concerned. Your D600 is a very fine performer as far as DSLRs are concerned. As a side note my primary camera a used for astro is a Nikon FF DSLR also, now while my images are a far cry from professionals I am pleased with my results so far. I have begun dabbling in cooled CCDs but am far from being proficient.

IMHO it is the ability to cool the imaging chip that makes the real difference when speaking of an OSC vs DSLR. Lately since the temps here are around 100f I can only expose for roughly 90-120s before the noise becomes unbearable on my Nikon whereas in the winter when temps reach -40f I was able to image for over ten minutes with minimal noise.

I cannot believe I am saying this, but I can't wait for winter. Long dark nights and a gigantic walkout freezer at my disposal.
Matthew

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Usually cameras with a fan, the fan cools a heatsink that sits upon a tec cooler that is in turn sitting on the backside of the imaging chip. There have been DIYers that have added this type of cooling to their DSLRs , there are even a few aftermarket shops that sell this service. I can't bring myself to do this to my beloved D800e as of yet.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I can't believe it either, Matthew.
Are you suffering from heat stroke? :shock:

I can't wait for the first frost here.
Usually in mid January. Finally kills off the mosquitoes... :-P