The New ZWO ASI2600MM - First Impressions

[@Hebert6615]

Good stuff right there Michael. Congrats on your new camera. I just got my 294MM to start with mono-imaging and it is something else. Not as super-duper as the 2600MM but good none the less. Now, my master plan is to win the lotto and get some new stuff.

[@BBROPHOTO]

That’s the master plan of all of us 😅

[@josephluciani5531]

Thank you Michael, just found your channel. I look forward to more like this. One question. I have the 2600 mm and a friend said this camera likes bias frames rather than dark-flats. In the video you mentioned that you didn’t need darks or bias frames. Can you comment on this. thanks much.

[@Astrobloke]

Just bought this. Nice review

[@DrewJEvans44]

Nice video on sensor cleaning Mike. Curiously what is the solution you are using.

[@bustedrav]

Just a heads up, Agena had them for 1999, I picked up the mcp this week.

[@BBROPHOTO]

When the 2600MC was announced, I knew that was the camera I wanted... but in mono. I waited and waited .... and waited for the MM to be announced, however I got tired of waiting.I ended up getting an incredible deal on a 533, so the 2600MM will have to wait now. However, as you mentioned, these new generation of sensors are just incredible no matter which one you end up getting. Ideally I’d love a 533MM, but alas that isn’t happening unless Sony change their plans. I’m also glad you pointed out the oil issue, albeit annoying, isn’t a total deal breaker or camera destroyer. Nikon had endless oil on the sensor recalls (unsurprisingly Sony sensors on those models too if I recall correctly) but with astro cams being so easy to a access the sensor and sort it, it’s just a minor inconvenience.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Definitevly an easy fix, and not at all a deal breaker. The 533 is a great choice for that price range. It would be cool to see a mono version of that camera, will really tie the family together 😁 And yeah i remember the nikon (i think it happened alot on the D600) I yes im pretty sure those were sony sensors as well.

[@BBROPHOTO]

@@MichaelLevAstro Hopefully Sony decides to bless us with the mono goodness with a 533MM. I got my 533 as an open box return plus Black Friday reductions on top of it, so I couldn’t say no 🙏 Especially as literally no other camera was in stock at the time.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

@@BBROPHOTO Ooo nice! And it's already a pretty cheap camera! (Relatively speaking 😀)

[@derekderek2570]

You don't use darks or bias?

[@Astro-George]

Hi Michael, Thanks for the review. I was able to order mine before the discount deadline. I also own the MC version and from what I have researched on the oily sensor issue it is from the "O" ring that seals the chamber. Some get too much oil on them prior to assembly so a good wipe down of the "O" ring prior to assembly should resolve any future issues.

[@graysonibrahim9078]

Instablaster

[@stuparker776]

Hi Michael I just saw your other vid about the 2600C.I completely agree the camera is fun to use and no real darks etc are needed to get a nice clean image.I find using a wide field lens such as the Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Lens produces super images.Look forward to your review pics of the mono!!!

[@brianastrodoc2886]

Great little optimistic review. What will you do with your 2600mc, I have an extra one now too? Maybe sell it or use it on a RASA setup? Your eagle in sho is amazing! I just shot the M51 and the Jellyfish Nebula with this camera and will process it today. So excited! Clear Skies!

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Thank you very much! I intend to keep it, and use it for broadband imaging rather than using LRGB filters with the MM. I also want to adapt it to regular lenses for ultra wide milky way shots. Clear skies!

[@jdpartridge]

The entertainment value of your videos, you really need to do more.

[@Poketronics]

How about using the ASI2600MM to capture luminance and use the ASI2600MC to capture chrominance data fast.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Yes! Eventually i'll get another Sharpstar so i can get full HaRGB for object in one night.

[@Jam_66]

What size filters are you using? Do you think 1.25 filters are too small?

[@MichaelLevAstro]

I use 2 inch filters. 1.25 will definitely be too small. 36mm is the bare minimum.

[@Jam_66]

@@MichaelLevAstro thanks for the reply! I might just get the color version of this camera instead as I already have 1.25 inch filters

[@MichaelLevAstro]

@@Jam_66 Both are great!

[@nebulasky522]

@@MichaelLevAstro but would it work even if it's at the minimum? I have a newton f4

[@stuparker776]

Hi Michael.Thanks for the info I just ordered today!!!!.I have the 2600 Colour ver which is amazing.Hoping I can combine both for a good narrowband and colour image.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Congratz! I bet you'll be able to easily combine the images! :)

[@OlliesSpace]

Pretty concerning the oil. Just got this cam didn't get this luckily.

[@kirostar12]

I am still waiting for my 2600mm. But should be good if we have visual comparison between 1600mm and 2600mm. I don't care much the numbers. If I don't like the performance I may return it. Thanks!

[@GregK8625]

The QHY 268M would have a few things to say to this camera... ;)

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Yes i know :) QHY have been making great cameras. Getting them here (the equivalent models) cost more though. And specw-wise they are "the same" The readout modes differ a bit, and still don't really understand what they mean tbh

[@patrickhauray4781]

Le d810A obtient aussis de très bon résultat sans ce cassé la tête avec x poses pour tel ou tel longueur d ondes. Plus bruité certe mais tout t'a fait acceptable .

[@cosmoscarl4332]

Great subs but funky color choices. I prefer natural colors that represent what we might see if our eyes worked like color CMOS sensors.

[@ACEOFSPACE2000]

Never rub the sensor make one pass and discard the swab .Use sensor swabs instead

[@BBROPHOTO]

So early that it’s still 360p! PogChamp #NotificationSquad

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Lol 😄

[@jamiekenas]

I had this happen two times now w/ my 2600MC, super pissed.

[@cosmoscarl4332]

This sensor does not have a Bayer matrix. If this is the ZWO ASI 2600MM pro.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

I didn't say it does...

[@johnybaby2]

Oil problem, WTF, if these things weren't so hard to come by it would be straight back to the shop? Surely a faulty one?

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Nah, happens to many owners. It is a pretty bad move by ZWO. And if they were to do a recall like nikon did back when it happened to the D600. Then it would've been ok. But all they can do is just show customers how to clean it. Which in my mind is fine because sooner or later everyone needs to clean these sensors anyway. And i always prefer an issue i can handle myself rather than one i have to send back for service.

[@marvinwhisman3333]

Personally I would recommend wearing a mask while you work on your camera. Your breath contains lots of moisture. Maybe you were wearing one but it wasn't obvious.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Didn't think of it! Next time i'll definitely do that!

[@Miguel_Noppe]

Overpriced ? Lol, in Europe its €2949 for the 2600MM, that's $3327.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Holy Shiaza! Thats just not fair....

[@Miguel_Noppe]

@@MichaelLevAstro i’m not shiaza-ing you 😅. My best guess is that the US has lower import fees.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

@@Miguel_Noppe TBH ZWO themselfs are pretty cool about giving free shipping (and also a nice declaration if ya know what i mean...)

[@Miguel_Noppe]

@@MichaelLevAstro maybe next time i'll look into that, it just got delivered 2hrs ago ;-)

[@MichaelLevAstro]

@@Miguel_Noppe Mazak tov! Hope the clouds don't riun the party 😅

[@michaelhettrick8479]

The ASI2600MM is STILL not even commercially available yet, so cannot be “Camera of the Year” !

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Huh? It has been commercially available since i think february.

[@michaelhettrick8479]

@@MichaelLevAstro Every U.S. supplier to whom I’ve spoken says they are STILL waiting on shipment of these from ZWO, and ZWO’s website also indicates they are still ”on backorder”. Just because they can be ordered does not mean they are commercially available., as this game has been played by ZWO for MANY months now. In fact, one supplier told me that ZWO has admitted to her that they have not been able to get the chips n sufficient quantity from SONY. From which supplier did you get your ASI2600MM ? Presumably some special arrangement for a good customer, or in exchange for your review.

[@MichaelLevAstro]

@@michaelhettrick8479 Straight up ordered from ZWO's website when it first launched. Nothing special. I guess after the first batch or a few they couldn't get stock on those sensors. But it is commercially available just out of stock.

[@michaelhettrick8479]

@@MichaelLevAstro I see. But after that first batch, the only thing that is “commercially available” about the 2600MM is that ZWO and it’s suppliers are available to accept your money .... NOT to actually deliver the product with ANY definite or fixed timeline whatsoever. I’ve tried ... the delays are continual and with zero promises. So this cannot be advertised as a commercially available “product of the year”.