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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2016 12:36:43 GMT
Good afternoon to you all I'm new to the forum, and new to any kind of astrophotography/video astronomy. I have a Celestron Evolution 8" (alt az) and I'm keen to get started on video astronomy because it is best suited to my type of scope where DSO are concerned. I have read up on the Atik Infinity www.atik-cameras.com/product/atik-infinity/What do you all think about the spec of this camera? Is it decent? It comes with its own software which is said to be very easy to use (ideal for me - I'm all about simplicity). Do you think it will be capable of lunar/planetary too? I'm open to any advice you can offer. Thank you
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Post by davy on Feb 4, 2016 12:57:35 GMT
Welcome to the forum kate,I dont have one myself but there is a lot of talk about them in other forums,what I do know is that they have recently moved into video side of astronomy as many others are as well,I did catch the you tube broadcast and felt they were astrophotographers dabbling in video,and I have seen better but they probably got feed back and sorted out bits and pieces, you might be better looking at a lodestar camera,pailthe software tech is constantly upgrading the software and the camera is a proven winner on dso. This is my personal views and im shure others will have suggestions as well..Davy
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2016 13:00:07 GMT
Thanks Davy, I haven't research the Lodestar's (but I've heard about them). I will read up.
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Post by davy on Feb 4, 2016 13:09:29 GMT
Hi kate..stargazers lounge video section ,aka lodestar forum lol has the biggest followers of lodestar owners..paul81 is the software developer.hope this helps..it would be my next camera purchase .back up is top class
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2016 13:10:56 GMT
Thanks - i'll check it out
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 4, 2016 13:57:50 GMT
G'day Kate, welcome to our Forum There's soooooo many cameras to choose from. Super cheap basic LN-300, Samsung Security cameras, then up through, Lodestar, Ultrastar, . . . to infinity and beyond I've never used an Infinity but the views from them look pretty good, but there are faster easier cameras to start with. Pretty much any camera will show you the Moon and Planets. That's the easy part for them. It's DSO's some struggle with. Smaller pixel size will give better results with Lunar/Planetary. But if you want to do DSO's as well, it's best to stay clear of the 'Lunar/Planetary only' cameras.
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Feb 4, 2016 15:28:16 GMT
Hi Kate and welcome!
One of the lessons I've learned the hard way is to wait and see a camera in action by multiple users at my same skill level before taking the plunge. In comparing cameras, its easy to focus on only the specs - pixel size, resolution, sensitivity, etc. etc. and some people (including myself) have bought a camera before really seeing it out in the field by people at the same skill level or setup. In my case and in some others, disappointment and/or frustration was the result.
At the end of the day one of the biggest questions is: Is the camera easy to use?
Frustrations with long setup times or a lot of cords and connections can have an impact on enjoying the hobby. Software glitches, compatibility, and other little details have at times made me kick my tripod leg in frustration!
I dont have experience with Atik cameras, but they are on my list to investigate and I am always anxious to see live results from others.
I hope this helps some.
--Rick
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Post by howie1 on Feb 4, 2016 23:34:13 GMT
Hi Kate.
Download the free software Stellarium onto your pc (dont try the smartphone version as it doesnt have the plugin I am about to tell you about).
It will help you wondering what you can see with any particular camera on your 8" evolution. As Ken and Rick say, what you see will vary depending on the camera. In Stellarium turn on the Occulars plug-in, and enter a few details about your scope and camera, then select an object. Stellarium will show you how big that object will look. You will then see if you can see planets or not. Or see how much of the Orion nebula you will see or not. And most importantly learn how the camera sensor size changes what you see. It may help you make a decision.
Google is your friend. Use it to find out how to turn on and use the Occulars plug-in, and of course to find any camera's sensor specs (start with the Infinity as you are interested in that).
cheers Howie
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Post by johnno on Feb 4, 2016 23:40:24 GMT
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Post by scopesnc on Feb 13, 2016 14:47:29 GMT
There's soooooo many cameras to choose from. OH and how there are so many cameras now days. The list just keeps getting bigger.Out of all the cameras out there to chose from the Atik Infinity is a awesome one to have. I'm a nobody myself and yet I know from a broadcast live I have seen now ,my next camera will be the Infinity color. There has been a ton of R & D put in to this camera and it shows. The software makes it what it is. It is a one cable, USB connection to the P C. If you want just a monitor to use then this camera is not going to work for you. Other than that , it has no draw backs. Until the next great camera comes along I think it is about as good as it gets. At the pace the cameras are coming out now I may have to rewrite this by next week. LOL
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 13, 2016 14:49:40 GMT
Good stuff Jim.
Yes, I've been seeing great results from people using the Atik Infinity. It needs longer exposure times, but the quality is great.
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Post by scopesnc on Feb 14, 2016 2:22:00 GMT
Ken it does 2 minutes exposures.
Kate
One last thing to take in to consideration on picking a camera. Most any camera you buy will have very limited return repair policy in favor of the owner. There is one company or person really who backs what he sells. Rock Mallin will replace or back most any camera he sells and his analog video cameras he will upgrade free or replace repair them at little to no cost other than shipping. Rock is well known for this. So don't over look his offerings .
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Feb 22, 2016 19:12:06 GMT
I am glad that I waited to get my next-level color DSO camera over my Jr Pro. I was going to go for the SkyRaider DSc, but I was waiting to see images from it. Since then, I have gotten enough time behind my SkyRaider DSm to know that without a pier/observatory, the dual-exposure cameras are not for me. I am challenged in getting good polar alignment with my AVX, so that camera only gives me good results with super wide fields of view and very very short exposures.
I think the Infinity will be my next camera.
Eventually, I'll need to replace my DSm with something that can do very sensitive mono (for H-Alpha observing).
I wish I could get a pier/observatory, but we'd have to move to get away from the giant trees that block my entire East and my NW.
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