From: "Tim" <tjp314@pacbell.net>

Date: October 4, 2005 2:17:52 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: Planning on a better camera

Duane:

I'll take a whack at this one, though I won't be quantitative...

The cheapest way to go with decent results is Wratten dye-based transmission filters, but 

they'll block more of the light you want (and leak some you don't want) in the process.  A 

few years ago, I built myself a manual filter wheel out of ABS plumbing parts and wratten 

glass filters, but it might be said that it was worth every penny of the money I put into 

it!  ;o)

The best way to go is dichroic interference filters, which block out all but the color ranges 

you're interested in.  There used to be only a few companies making these for amateur 

astronomy, but now there are several.  They're more expensive than transmission  filters, 

but they require shorter exposures per color channel.  The least expensive that I know of 

are the Meade filters for the DSI Pro.  I have no idea what their spectral specifications are, 

but you can probably find that from their website.  I bought mine with a DSI Pro, so they 

weren't as expensive as they'd be without the camera.

Personal preference here, but I chose a Pt Grey Flea color camera for planetary imaging 

because I didn't want to have to be changing filters for planets - particularly Jupiter, where 

rotation over more than a couple minutes degrades the resolution of RGB imaging with a 

monochrome camera probably below the level of resolution of a color on-chip camera.  

But I've never tried to quantify that!  ;oD

I think Milton has pointed out that Apogee-Inc has a manual filter wheel for around 90 

bucks (probably without filters?).  Motorized filter wheels are neat, but I'm not aware of 

any that are less than several hundred dollars without filters.

best,

-Tim.

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "Duane" <macastronomer@m...> wrote:

Thanks for the info.

Now I'll really show my imaging "greenness" with this question. Which color filters 

should I 

get?

I know I need RGB, but what are their #'s and who should I get them from? I don't need 

the 

best of the best, I just want good filters at a good price.

Thanks again,

Duane

PS. I had great (best ever) viewing a week ago Friday. It was amazing. The details I could 

see were blowing me away. However, this was before I had a camera. This last Friday it 

was 

terrible early on but at about 3:00am it got pretty nice. For this I had the camera but no 

adaptor. I finally have both and now I'm waiting for that crisp opportunity again.

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "Duane" <macastronomer@m...> wrote:

Hi all,

I am going to delve into planetary imaging because the views I was getting of Mars are 

calling me like a sweet mesmerizing spell...     "Duane, Image me"

I have the board camera that Milton suggested on the way, but I will eventually want 

something better (like in a few months when Saturn starts casting spells on me).

One camera I am considering is the DFK-31AF03-ML from The Imaging Source.

It's a B&W (leading to another question, what is recommended for filters/holder)

1024x768

15fps  (up to 30 seconds)

8bit

for $695

There is a trade off that I'm not sure which is more important for planetary imaging.

Higher res or faster frames?

30fps and 640x480   OR   15fps and 1024x768

That is my main question.

Thanks much for the help,

Duane Deal