From: Milton Aupperle <milton@outcastsoft.com>

Date: September 15, 2008 2:41:06 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] M57 on a full moon

Hi Mark;

On 15-Sep-08, at 1:37 PM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

Hi Milton, Sorry to be showing my ignorance again but what exactly is

an EXHAD camera. I gather they have increased magnification for seeing

down several magnitudes of star type.

Actually it increases light gathering, not magnification.

Different CCD's / CMOS sensors have different sensitivities to capturing light. The EXHAD CCD's are very good at light capture.

I remember that you mentioned

that this sort of Flea 2 camera is available for an increased price. I

priced the 648x 488 pixel colour Flea 2 & nearly even bought one

before deciding to go with the larger scope whilst funds were

available. They want $100 USD for postage out here on top of the $795

USD price tag which is well over $1000 AUD!

I bough my "Flea" 640x480 and after exchange rate (1.2 times) and taxes it came out to $1360.00 CDN. And I'm in the same country that PGR cameras are made in. They are made in BC which is about an 10+ hour drive (one way) west through the rocky mountains from me.

If you don't like their policy on pricing, then write them and tell them that your going with a competitors camera for example and why that is. For example, forcing everyone to buy a $100 developers kit the first time you buy a particular camera series is totally stupid and should be an option - which I have argued with them about for several years now.

But if you don't tell them this, then they won't change their policy.

I`ll have to either save

or wait for more credit on my other card! You must be very pleased

with the resolution on your new one. I`ve also been wondering about

the wisdom of buying a B/W camera although I have no experience with

processing these images.

The difference between. pros and cons of  mono VS color cameras has been discussed and re-discussed many many times on this list. Just search for "color versus mono" or go to this link:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Astro_IIDC/message/1520

for starters..

Milton Aupperle