OGMA 26MC - Best Priced Monochrome Package and Great Service, is it Possible?

[@nestorgalla8962]

I saw this video a couple weeks ago and called my attention this company OGMA. So I ordered a planetary and guiding camera (GP678C,) a filter wheel, and an Off Axis guider. I got my stuff today, the quality are impressive, I didn't of course try this camera yet, but if the outside quality is as the inside it will be marvelous, because the prices are significant less than the established brand. Thanks Ryan for this video and his valuable job for astronomy.

[@darkrangersinc]

Love the feedback and always makes me happy when something like this happens. Glad to connect passion Astro photographers with companies who want to step up and it the right way.

[@astroattorney]

I told ya - OGMA is a great company with outstanding products at decent prices.

[@darkrangersinc]

Who’s this 😜 ?? I’ve been talking to Juan for several months now hes a good fit for a community partner. He’s also OK with me having 2 camera choices because he doesn’t have a full frame set up yet. My initial hold off was not having a 7 x 2”/FF model. so I think this will have to be the one category where there are two options because full frame is a must for many people and what I like to use whenever possible. But APSC is a good balanced option for good pricing and still a pretty good sized sensor.

[@longhornastro]

It’s an amazing camera. I bought one about 6 weeks ago. Weather has sucked thanks to El Niño but I have gotten a few good partial nights. Highly recommended

[@GlennMartinPhotography]

Wow sounds like a great alternative. I only worry when you say his margins are razor thin, it's important to remain sustainable for the long run. Regardless though, if I ever start looking at other cameras, because of your endorsment, Ogma will be high on the list.

[@darkrangersinc]

Yeah I agree I’m hoping we can help with volume. I’d rather give my $$ to someone who actually will treat me like a human being if something goes wrong not just a customer number with email as my option.

[@Wheeljack678]

I believe Nico Carver (Nebula Photos) also reviewed Ogma cameras at one point. He also had very good things to say about the company. I went with Player One myself, but I am in favor of anything that is not ZWO. I really don't like the monopoly they were (are?) trying to create. I think videos like these are really helpful to people to see that there are other, really good brands out there to choose from. Product competition is only healthy and it benefits consumers.

[@darkrangersinc]

Player 1 is getting good results for those I know who use it. They seem to put a little more quality into the initial product making it less likely to have issues which is great.

[@MicheleHernandez-d2e]

Fantastic review and love the new shop space! Very slick. Nice to see a company receptive to feedback. Happy new moon trip!

[@darkrangersinc]

Thank you! Yeah it’s nothing crazy but a little workspace for episodes like this one where I have some assembly stuff

[@MicheleHernandez-d2e]

@@darkrangersinc it gave me anxiety watching you put in all the screws - kind of like how entering a hardware store makes me feel lightheaded lol

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Great setup, Where can you get a blower like that?

[@darkrangersinc]

Amazon special! The higher power ones are like $79-99 which is kind of annoying but I’ve had it for 4 years now and it works as well as the day I got it.

[@natclanwy]

I just purchased an OGMA AP26MC last week, hoping to get some clear skies this weekend to test it out and make my first attempt at mono imaging.

[@darkrangersinc]

Very nice! Hope it works well for you 🤞🏼

[@KingLoopie1]

Sounds like a good company! 👍

[@darkrangersinc]

I feel confident that Juan will do right by the customer he’s been very helpful thus far.

[@daineball]

i need that little blowymatron thing so bad! what is that ?

[@darkrangersinc]

Just an Amazon special vac/blower the decent ones cost around 100 bucks but it’s lasted a few years.

[@rbrickproductions123]

I ordered a 5x2in filter wheel from OGMA for my OSC & am planning on getting this exact setup for monochrome

[@darkrangersinc]

Very nice! I think he’s open to a 7x2 as well in the near future so if you want to stay 2” you could maybe use that for the mono and the 5x2 for the OSC

[@KJRitch]

I’d go with them over ZWO. Hope they increase their selection.

[@darkrangersinc]

If we can increase his volume with current selection it’s 100% the plan to expand but he has to keep inventory and with low margins it’s obviously a challenge to expand because you then have to have even more product in hand and when the new camera is more expensive for a full frame option it’s even harder. So it’s my goal to support guys like this and build them up so they can grow and expand, versus giving money to companies that don’t seem to prioritize their customers as much

[@ankarstew]

Why do you recommend the 36mm over the 2" filter wheel?

[@darkrangersinc]

If you watch the entire vid I explain why.

[@doramason]

Touptek is now directly selling their own products, just like QHY or ZWO. Many Chinese OEMs finally have realized they can make more money if they build their own brand and not just mass produce for others. If Touptek pulls it off and become a proper brand, all these re-branders will go away... They don't add much other than different colors anyway.

[@darkrangersinc]

They add customer service that the OEM countries lack. Knowing you have someone you can send it to locally and know it’ll be taken care of and actually having a phone number is very valuable. If Touptek takes the same approach as others in that same region with customer service it will make brands like OGMA still very relevant. Especially when he keeps prices this low. They can also request different specs and designs than the manufacturing company may use for their own product which also adds value if they’re willing to take feedback and request features others aren’t willing to include.

[@Astro_Shed]

Thanks for the video, Great cameras, but then they will be as they are Touptek cameras and Auxilary kit under the OGMA brand, and as we all know Touptek are great cameras I have 2, it’s great to see some new brands popping up, let’s hope they get to the UK too, as would be nice to have more options over here….👍🏻

[@darkrangersinc]

I’m actually trying to finalize with QSI/Atik. QSI is in that neck of the woods. They are more of a premium brand check out their QSI 700 series. They are more expensive, but they include a filter wheel and also also use the professional version of the Chip. They also aren’t made in China and are definitely higher quality. My goal was to have a budget friendly option that still had good service and then this will probably be the only category (cameras) where I do have two companies to partner with. I have okayed it with Juan, as he knows his target audience is different. A lot of the people in the DRI community and subscribers will want full frame options with some more bells and whistles. So it’s good to have a relationship with both types of companies. I do try to listen to everybody’s feedback and half of the audience seems to be pretty budget conscious and the other half is the best quality so I’m trying to deliver on both for everyone. The main thing is just additional accountability through the community. If you buy from anyone of these brands and they don’t come through people can shoot me an email and I will follow up with the owner on their behalf. I’m also always trying to negotiate some kind of promo code to save you guys any money that I can.

[@Astro_Shed]

@@darkrangersinc that’s excellent. I agree re Atik / QSI here in the U.K. are premium cameras, BUT they will be ridiculously priced for most people in the hobby, they always have been, Starlight Xpress too have made superb cameras here in the U.K. too, and I have owned a couple of second hand ones of there CCD cameras, and alway superb, but again really pricey new. I have just found we now have a Touptek dealer here in the U.K. now, which is great and just got there 585 camera for a review, which I have put out part one of…so that good news for us in the U.K., as we can just deal with someone in the U.K. if we have an issue and not have to return to China, and the UK prices are good too…👍🏻

[@MrMrduke1975]

I want to pull the trigger so hard on the 2600mm so bad! I just bought a C6 for a little reach, but not sure a full frame sensor will work with the C6. It would work well with my F/4 150P Quattro and my WO GT71. I should probably email them. Finally a U.S. based company!

[@SteveHookEm]

What electronic screwdriver is that?

[@darkrangersinc]

Fanttik E1 Max 3.7V Mini Electric... www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGWRWRX2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@ferenc-x7p]

LOL, Did you take a snapshot of my stuff?? I use the same tackle boxes for extensions and tubes and barlow lens! I go fishing time to time and I got tackle boxes up to my neck and had some empty ones that I started to store those small accessories. I also use Koala cleaning clothes, my wife keep stealing them for her glasses, because they are so good! I also got 2 of the same rubber strap wrenches, used it to take apart my EQ6r pro mount. Mine is the Kobalt brand from Lowe's. What a useful too for basically anything, even taking off a stuck extension tube. I also thought about building a new table, since the work table I got is about 120 years old, along with the garage it's in. The problem is, i suck really bad at carpentry. 😂

[@darkrangersinc]

Well, since I don’t know who you are, I’m going to have to chalk it up to coincidence lol. I’ve been using koala for probably 9-10 months. I discovered after trying literally 10 different brands. I’ve got several videos from last year where I mentioned them and the rubber strap wrenches, are just Amazon special lol. What really attracted me to the tacklebox was the magnetic drop zone I wanted to have an area that I could work with when I’m at dark sky sites and not lose all the screws and what not. There were other models that had the same top, but it has the two fishing pole holders that I can use for my two electronic screwdrivers. That’s why I went with that one that was blue and gray. I wanted the ability to have the screwdrivers right out in the open for easy access and not take up room inside inside. It’s getting loaded up for a trip so we’ll see how it does !

[@keithhanssen7413]

Good stuff! No nonsense. Where’s that little Stellarvue refractor? 😊

[@darkrangersinc]

It was supposed to be there today. I’m leaving tomorrow morning for the dark sky trip and it still hasn’t arrived so I actually just filmed the intro for that episode two minutes ago. Funny you bring it up. I’m hoping it comes here shortly. Otherwise we’re going to only be taking one scope instead of two. I was hoping to maximize the shorter summer nights because the 111 William optic is, 13 mm more focal length than the one with the reducer. So I was just going to point them both at the same target but now we might only be using one which will be really a bummer.

[@keithhanssen7413]

@@darkrangersinc you can’t rush excellence. So, Vic is indeed designing a new small refractor?

[@keithhanssen7413]

@@darkrangersinc I should probably ask him personally. I’ll do that.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@keithhanssen7413 no this is just the 102 with a .74 reducer. I’ll keep everyone up to date on a the future scope. Just hang tight for now.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@keithhanssen7413 it was sent on time it’s UPS’s fault unfortunately :-/

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Thanks.

[@jesuschrist2284]

Im guessing your misc adapters cost more than my entire rig :(

[@darkrangersinc]

Most of them have come from buying different gear. I have 3 OAGs, and 4 Astro cams. Plus a few I actually got from Blue Fireballs which is Agena Astros in house brand and pretty cheap.

[@jesuschrist2284]

I wonder if smoke from my cigerrettes , blowing over my gear reduces my seeing? :)

[@MicheleHernandez-d2e]

what is your point? As for cost, Ryan does a great job of reviewing both "dream" gear and affordable gear - it takes so much time and effort - if you want to simply criticize, why bother watching? I don't get it

[@jesuschrist2284]

@@MicheleHernandez-d2e my point was just that i probably shouldn't smoke near my rig so im going to try to stop doing it

[@darkrangersinc]

I keep my gear really clean. That’s why I use the blower too it blows any contaminants away. My flats rarely have any dust motes and as you’ve seen in the past when I stack data with no flats they still look clean 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MicheleHernandez-d2e]

@@jesuschrist2284 or at least smoke cigars, not cigarettes :-)