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

Date: September 29, 2011 10:15:53 AM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Chameleon sensitivity, Was: Re: Slightly OT larger format camera

Well, it looks like I'll have "time" to consider my options for an additional camera here. I just got a bill for repairs on my old VW pickup, which are unfortunately going to postpone a camera purchase for a while. :^(

-Tim.

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Milton Aupperle <milton@...> wrote:

Hi Tim;

On 2011-09-28, at 2:06 PM, doobisary wrote:

Hi Milton:

I'm about to hit the "checkout" button on the color Chameleon, but I was just looking at the Sensor Respose Curve Comparison for the ICX445 Exview HAD Sony ccd, and noticed that the last comparison between the ICS445AQ and the IMX035LQR (CMOS) that's in the Firefly, that the CMOS chip has slightly higher QE than the CCD?? That doesn't seem right.

I'm not 100% sure on that either. The chart looks pretty close for them both.

And one thing that isn't specified is what the Camera gain levels are or if that's a factor for these tests.

I'm going with the color version instead of the mono version because I would like to try monitoring planets like Jupiter for impacts one of these days, and would not like having any down-time while I change filters. I have a atmospheric dispersion corrector that I bought from Adirondack several years ago that I plan on using to minimize dispersion before grabbing video.

I have used the Chameleon Color once for Planetary in capturing Jupiter.

http://www.outcastsoft.com/AstroImages/Jupiter_20100922_MJA.jpg

It worked fine but Jupiter was only 20° above the horizon if I remember correctly and seeing was bad too. I don't often shoot planetary anymore as turbulence simply doesn't allow em to capture any decent detail levels. I get maybe one night a years with < 2 arc second seeing.

High frame rates aren't as much a concern as sensitivity, particularly for those times I want to try Uranus or Neptune imaging with my 12.5" Cass.

Without cooling it isn't going to make a great longer exposure (i.e. 1+ minute) camera, but if your going bright field planetary, then that should not be an issue.

And they are really light tiny cameras.

Any thoughts? Or should I just go ahead and hit the checkout button? ;oD

-Tim.

It likely will be a great camera and it does have Hardware ROI so you can crop out the blank space areas, to save space and stacking time too.

I know Raye has so far been quite pleased with his Mono model for doing Ha Solar imaging.

HTH..

PS: On a related note - I am helping PGR on some updated specifications for their Grasshopper 2 cameras. It should make for a really good DSO camera when this is all finished (for a $1700 USD price tag too).

Milton J. Aupperle

President

ASC - Aupperle Services and Contracting

Mac Software (Drivers, Components and Application) Specialist

#1106 - 428 Chaparral Ravine View SE.

Calgary Alberta T2X 0N2

1-(403)-453-1624

milton@...