From: Dave Goodyear <dave@kb2networks.com>

Date: May 22, 2015 12:59:18 PM MDT

To: "Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com" <Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com>

Subject: RE: [Astro_IIDC] IR Cut Filter Necessary?

Mallencam sells a mild .8x reducer that is c-mounted.  Works quite well to get the full disk in my GHX 674 based camera.

Dave

From: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2015 11:07 AM
To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] IR Cut Filter Necessary?

Kevin, have you tried using a focal reducer on your cameras?  A basic 1.25" di. reducer on the nose adapter might be more than enough to get a full disk with existing cameras.  Ron

On May 22, 2015, at 11:46 AM, Kevin in Fort Davis fsm79734@gmail.com [Astro_IIDC] <Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Thanks for your suggestions so far, everyone!

Milton, I probably should have included more detailed information as to why I'm considering PGR USB3 cameras.  It's not for USB3 frame rate, but rather to get the to PGR cameras with larger physical chip sizes.  We need the image coming from the Lunt telescope to be full-disk, and it's not quite full-disk with the PGR USB2 Chameleon and Firefly 1/3" CCD cameras.  We need the chip size to be closer to 1/2".  We have two PGR FW800 2MP Flea3 cameras with which we've been quite happy, and we use those to show white light and hi-mag H-alpha views of the Sun.  

Use some other software?  No way!  We love Astro IIDC and would rather choose our cameras to fit the software than the other way around.  :)

-Kevin

On Thu, May 21, 2015 at 11:36 AM, fsm79734@gmail.com [Astro_IIDC]<Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I do only solar imaging, and I'm about to purchase a PGR USB3 camera to use with my Lunt 60mm H-Alpha pressure-tuned solar telescope.  I have a few questions for those of you in the group who do this type of imaging.

First, is an IR-cut filter necessary?  Doesn't the filter in the Lunt already do this?  In my past discussions with vendors, they have recommend them - possibly with the intent of selling me a $73 filter - although I've never done a side-by-side comparison.

Secondly, any thoughts on the PGR Flea3/Chameleon3/Blackfly/Grasshopper3 relative advantages/disadvantages for solar imaging?  All of the above cameras I'm considering are the ~2 megapixel, monochrome variants.  In particular, I've never used a CMOS camera for imaging before, only CCD cameras.

Any suggestions are appreciated - thanks!

-Kevin