This makes MONOCHROME imaging AFFORDABLE - and EASY! QHY Minicam 8 camera/filters review + tutorial

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

My Patreon: www.patreon.com/cuivlazygeek My Merch Store: cuiv.myspreadshop.com/ Get the Minicam 8 (or reserve it! Seems there's a lot of interest!)! QHY Minicam 8 (mono w filters): bit.ly/4gvvh8Y (Agena) QHY Minicam 8 (color w filters): bit.ly/3DolJOr (Agena) Description and drivers: www.qhyccd.com/minicam8/ If you want to use it with an OAG, something like this (plus some M42 spacers!) should work! bit.ly/4haIBQn (Agena) or tinyurl.com/2ud7epsw (FLO) or tinyurl.com/mr647kzs (Astroshop eu) or altairastro.com/m48-to-c-mount-adaptor-converter-for-gpcam-6293-p.asp (M48) I haven't tested these, but I'm using this one, which looks similar! www.moreblue.co.jp/shopdetail/000000000342/ct133/page1/order/ For any affiliate link purchases, make sure to accept cookies if prompted! Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/49XTx01 Agena affiliate: bit.ly/3Om0hNG High Point Scientific affiliate: bit.ly/3lReu8R First Light Optics affiliate: tinyurl.com/yxd2jkr2 All-Star Telescope affiliate: bit.ly/3SCgVbV Astroshop eu Affiliate: tinyurl.com/2vafkax8 Lukomatico review of the camera: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anSognuAfMpsjqs My PixInsight Tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnTSpYWfiq6Kqsk Understanding camera specs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXy7nICVe8d5nck

[@DylanODonnell]

Great review Cuiv and cool pic :) looking forward to giving mine a spin soon!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hey Dylan! Thank you, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine!

[@joelewandowski8232]

The horse head image looked amazing.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you so much!

[@lukomatico]

Ah mate what a bloody superb video, well done, well done, well done!! 👍👍

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much Luke!! It was a lot of fun to make!

[@randymo8709]

Saw your review of this on Patreon and got it while it was on sale still! Saved me $$. Thanks Cuiv. Can’t wait to put this with my Sqa85. Now the wait begins.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Awesome mate! Enjoy it, and thank you for your support!

[@JVRost]

When I saw not long ago that the 585th was released in a mono version, I immediately started to estimate the budget for a classic set of filters and a wheel, it came out well over 1000 dollars and then your video about this layout, now I stop thinking, I start saving)))

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha always good to have savings on hand for more cool gear!

[@vikwaspukraine7674]

Привітулі, що, треба брать?

[@JVRost]

@@vikwaspukraine7674 Так, остоточно треба

[@jhohiii]

Incredible image! Your giddiness is 100% deserved. As always, a very enthusiastic, honest and technically complete review. Thank you for your work and sharing!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you so much mate!

[@OldCurmudgeon3DP]

For a "lazy geek" you sure make thorough, informative videos. 🙂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@cellobrew584]

My Minicam8 arrived 2 days ago. Clear skies will probably arrive mid-March here in the PNW. The instructions on the QHY website do not include how to assemble the filters, so I'm really grateful that both you and Luke show the process. It isn't clear which direction the filters should face. There are two hash marks on the edges of the filter that suggest an arrow, but whether that points towards the telescope or the camera isn't indicated. Your Horsehead looks great! I imagine that BlurXterminator took care of the halos. Many thanks for this review!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Congratulations! And yeah I have no idea about the orientation of the filters! I effectively just moved them "as is" from packaging to camera (although I might have flipped a couple by mistake when I measured them with the spectrometer)

[@ellenmcgrory1855]

That final imagine of the Horsehead nebula is just amazing

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@tubedude54]

After seeing Lukes review I knew I had to see yours as I knew you would put the filters through their paces. Nice to hear you say they are excellent in their performance. This looks like an affordable way to get into monochrome if I decide to do that!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, I was pleasantly surprised by the filter bandpasses, just good - I really like Ximei, they're a shadow manufacturer behind some of the OEM filters :)

[@DanWipper]

That's a great idea and brings down the cost a lot. That little sensor is great and the whole package is perfect for traveling. It uses the best part of the scope, this could be perfect for scopes that are rough around the edges. All for the price of a filter set, way cool. But, it will be really good to see them apply this to larger sensors, I'm sure they will. It makes everything more compact, cheaper and easier.

[@marvinwhisman3333]

Thanks!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Marvin!! As always!

[@monarodan]

I saw this advertised and thought it would pair with the SQA55 very well, so I was happy to see you test this combo. I had the same thought about a second sensor for guiding that does not have the filter in the path. It seems like a no brainer and surely they're working on it! Loved your horsehead/flame image. Amazing work.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much!

[@gregorywilkins1001]

First, you must be a professor because you explain everything in such great detail! :-) Your videos and reviews are outstanding. I've been involved in astronomy and astrophotography (AP) for years, starting back in the 1980s. Over time, however, I found myself moving away from the latest tech and returning to a more traditional, "old-school" approach. I’ve come to appreciate the faults and imperfections of the process. At some point, I realized I was spending more time chasing the latest and greatest technology, striving for perfection, than actually enjoying the process and the results. It made me reflect: is it just me? While I find the advancements fascinating and enjoy observing them from a distance, I don’t think I’ll ever use them again. I’m looking forward to your next video-thank you!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oh yes I completely understand where you're coming from! It's cool to be finding enjoyment in the more manual, down to earth part of the hobby :) And while I'm not a professor (nor have I ever been), I do love teaching :)

[@peterlaubscher3989]

Thanks so much - great review - yes, this might tempt me to get into monochrome imagining. I can see myself exhausting colour imagining in the next 24 months or so and this would make for an affordable move into mono. So good to see these developments.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Will be interesting to see if other manufacturers copy the concept!

[@peterlaubscher3989]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Indeed - it could set the hobby on a new trajectory. I got into astro in the early 1960s, never dreaming that i would have access to such astonishing tech!

[@j.s.3407]

@peterlaubscher3989 Please comment again here once you have it installed on your C14. 675mm focal length with the hyperstar + 2.9u pixels = 0.89"/px sampling at F2!!! And with 1e- read noise at F2: For RGB I calculate 0.2 second exposures to 10x swamp the read noise from a sky mag of 18.5 (bortle 7), 12 second exposures for sky mag 22 (bortle 1). 0.2 seconds is 5 fps. That's a video file. For 7nm narrow band that increases to 7 seconds for sky mag 18.5 and 172 seconds for sky mag 22 (bortle 1). Drizzle X2 that to 0.395"/px YOU'VE GOT THE ULTIMATE LUCKY IMAGING GALAXY SCOPE!! This presumes that 7nm filters should work at F2. I think they'd still be in band-pass, right Cuiv? Then put in an IMX571 or IMX455 color camera and you've got your wide field scope with traditional filter drawer. I will buy and build this setup if it's shown to work well with mono Minicam 8.

[@deep_space_dave]

What an awesome little camera! Small but packs a punch! Excellent review and that final image was pretty incredible from Tokyo!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much Dave!

[@308Win609]

Cuiv -- authoritative review, very useful product, and stunning final image of Horsehead. You do good work! Reviews are more compelling when they reveal consensus with other talking heads like Luko and Dylan, etc.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you! And yes, it's always a relief when I see my opinion is shared by other serious reviewers!!

[@SarahMathsAstro]

Awesome review, Cuiv! Been eying this setup. Cheers!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much Sarah! Hope you get your hands on it soon, it such a cool little camera!

[@spunbearing]

Im really impressed with your image coming from Tokyo. It turned out fantastic. QHY are starting to produce some compelling products. I really like how that company is progressing.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Agreed! And thank you!

[@ekalbkr]

Another technical review fully up to Quiv's standards - there are none better!

[@gspinin]

Fantastic review, Cuiv. Your final image of the Horsehead is stunning!

[@jaconkl1]

I am so glad you do these reviews - I simply do not have the time and money to review all of these things.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad this is helpful!

[@BruceElliott]

I've used an ASI1600MM Pro on loan from my club to do mono imaging, and while it's been fun, I haven't really considered investing in a full mono setup of my own because of the expense. This combo setup really changes that entire picture. Here's another observation: Since the most expensive cameras are those with the largest sensors, it's easy to get the impression that bigger sensors are always better. Not so, as the 585 shows. With this sensor you can frame smaller targets without resorting to a scope with longer focal length. The drawback of small high-resolution sensors used to be the reduced sensitivity of the small pixels, but the QE of this sensor completely negates that. I hope I'll own a miniCAM8 very soon!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Exactly!

[@mattestabrook]

Great video, Cuiv! What a neat product--a great way to get started in mono imaging. Now, I just need QHY to start selling their ASIAir competitor before ZWO introduces a MiniCam competitor! Clear skies!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

The Touptek astrostation may be the answer :)

[@TerryMcKnight1]

Very interesting. I wonder if other manufacturers are taking note. Very reasonably priced too.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, this is something I wouldn't mind seeing other manufacturers imitate!

[@markparsons8494]

I have been using a OSC for two years now and have been wanting to go Monochrome but haven’t because of the cost of all the equipment. At this price point it’s a much better option to get into trying out monochrome imaging. I ordered mine earlier this week and can’t wait to pair it with my Newtonian and learn more about narrowband imaging and processing!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Have fun with it!

[@richardlighthill3228]

Dang! That's incredible for the price ! great show!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks, I was really excited about this one too!

[@sianikolaou5440]

Thanks Cuiv, I definitely want one of these! The cooler issue is a bit of a concern but maybe that will get resolved shortly.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

As far as I'm told, QHY cameras start cooling as soon as they're plugged in - that way you'll never forget, but at the same time it's a bit annoying!

[@sianikolaou5440]

@CuivTheLazyGeek do they breakdown due to rapid cooling like ZWO cameras connected to ASIAirs?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@sianikolaou5440 I wouldn't think so - QHY has been making astro cameras long before ZWO and is well regarded in the hobby. I don't recall seeing complaints of the sort!

[@sianikolaou5440]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek that's good to know as that is what I was concerned over regarding the lack of controlled cooling. I have an uncooled ASI585MC and I love it. It's the perfect sensor for my 8" Newt, so the miniCam8 would be ideal.

[@BruceElliott]

I've been eagerly awaiting this review. The QHY miniCAM8M Combo package is at the very top of my wish-list. I'll be ordering one as soon as my piggy bank gets filled. 😄

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Let the piggy bank be filled quickly!

[@AstroQuest1]

Excellent video and review Cuiv. I think this is one of your best best images - Never would guess it is from downtown Tokyo! Cheers

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much Kurt!! Yeah I'm really happy with this one!

[@jeroexx]

I was waiting for something like this, I've already preordered one :D

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Enjoy it!

[@flimnoir9946]

Thanks Cuiv, excellent review as always. I've been thinking about going mono for ages and this is literally the perfect solution (also looking at the Askar SQA55 due to your review). Appreciate the time you spend on analysing filters in particular and your honesty. I can live with the halo around Alnitak in Oiii ;)

[@TyroTim2000]

Wow! From Tokyo. This is amazing. You should be patting yourself on the shoulder. I have this camera on order and will be testing it on my C14Edge+Hyperstar. I"ve been a OSC guy for 20 years, but this tech is what I was waiting for.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oh wow, that will be such a great match!!! Enjoy!! Also will be interesting to see if the camera does end up intruding over the corrector place on the C14 Hyperstar!

[@RobertKarlBerta]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I like Hyperstar but the filters probably are going to cause issues as they are optimized for slower f stops and likely will go off band. I use a dual band filter for use with Hyperstar in 8, 11, and 14 inch in OSC.... it was optimized specifically for Hyperstar. I have imaged for years (I am 77 years old) and started with hypered film and manual star guiding (and lots of sore necks). My first CCD camera was a SBIG ST-237 mono with motorized CFW. I moved on to various upgrades and finally went with a SBIG ST 6303e with 2" filters in RGB and Ha, OIII, SII. That is used with various SCTs and a 6" APO high end refractor. I still use that setup but also went with a OSC setup with full ZWO gear and AM5 mount. While nowhere near the capability of my larger setup, it is a lot easier to use and is very portable. This new camera makes a good case for a mono setup. Great camera, nice to have all the filters and a relatively small compact setup. I do think for hyperstar it would be limited for use with the 14" only as with the filter wheel it is going to block a lot more of the smaller hyperstar scopes aperture. But that may prove to not be that big of an issue as contrast can always be bumped up in post processing.

[@jameskirk172]

It looks way too cool. I love big cooled color and mono cameras but this is a great idea!

[@yiannis-be]

Thanks again for a great review Cuiv! 😊 I'm thinking about getting a second mono camera and this was very helpful. I was surprised though to see this is only 12 bit... That kind of puts me off a bit. I took a look at your camera specs video again and see you do not give that much weight on the ADC. Maybe a topic for another video ... 😉

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

The 12 bits is the sensor itself - 585 cameras use 12 bit ADC. I don't put much (if any) weight on the ADC because it barely matters to be honest. Dynamic range does, and the ADC is already part of that calculation (DR = base 2 log (full well depth / read noise), where FWD = gain * 2^bit depth). Then the only drawback is effectively quantization error, since bit depth is more than recovered in stacking. I have no idea why people look at bit depth that much, it's one of the least important specs imo!

[@summetj]

Would this work with KStars / EKOS on Linux?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not yet - we need to wait for the latest QHY SDK to be in

[@chrisalmanza3773]

This might be the camera to get me into monochrome. Nice review.

[@ChrisTurchin]

Great review, makes me want to go shopping 😅 clear skies

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha don't forget: don't spend money you don't have! But also you only live once :p

[@tommyozzy317]

My next step in astrophotography will be to switch up to mono. This is a pretty cool little package when feeling overwhelmed with needing a camera, filter wheel, filters. Seems like a cool economical solution to buying big expensive 2” round filters where most of its not getting used.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Exactly!

[@Alan-vk6bk]

I think this will be a new year purchase at some point. Great review. Keep up the good work 👍😎

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Cheers Alan!

[@TheDostergaard]

My first thought was that this would make a great basis for a travel rig paired with my Draco 62 and AM3 / TC40. Everything but the tripod could fit in the Draco backpack case! An OAG would make it even more so. Great review!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes indeed!

[@Megavoltamper]

Very good review, Cuiv! If a set of photometry filters would be available for it, I would buy it immediately.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Apparently in the plans!

[@AstroGuina]

Simply fantastic, Cuiv!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

I only wish this camera had come out a few months ago when I was looking for a new mono camera (ended up with the ASI533MM Pro) I really like the 585 sensor too, I have the ASI585MC Pro. This camera looks great for use with a small refractor like the new Askar or SV Bony scopes you have just reviewed or the older Red Cat 51 when traveling to a dark site etc. I probably will end up getting one of these cameras anyway, I really like the look of it. Thanks for the review Cuiv.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

The 533MM Pro is still excellent, but yes I completely understand where you're coming from! There is something so nice about the cheap and small 585 sensors :) Cheers!

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Great review Cuiv if I ever dip my toe into mono as I've always shot OSC then this would probably be a camera I would go for, shame about the lack of a USB hub but definitely not a deal breaker.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yeah, I've grown so used to having a USB hub on the camera!

[@TarnsYT]

Just got them into the shop I work at. They are turning a lot of eyes for sure!

[@davidemancini7853]

Fantastic review!😊

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much!

[@Darren_71]

Good to see some QHY love for their gear..

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, they had a really good idea with this product!

[@KingLoopie1]

You have every right to like that image! Really nice result! 👍👍 I have a cooled 585 color but the resolution on the mono came with filters is impressive! Might go nicely with the stellarvue SV70T that I acquired from CN... (gotta go refigure my budget to see if I can cram one in before selling something off...)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@marvinwhisman3333]

Thanks for the review of this cool new product. I have one on backorder from Agena (followed your merch store link but still have no idea how to tell if you are getting credit for the purchase). I am hoping they come out with a 3nm set of filters in the future. Have a Happy New Year Cuiv.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Happy New Year Marvin! I should get credited once it gets shipped!! Hope they get it in stock soon! And yes, a set of 3nm filters would be awesome!

[@seanswales1813]

I am completely green with envy. A gorgeous image. I live under a bortle 5 sky, so I can only imagine what that might give....

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you so much!

[@davidsimard1522]

Yes i would love it because its all combine in one thk you for sharing

[@cyberfel2010]

Hi Cuiv, great review... By the way you can use the power button in the lower left on NINA to connect all the configured equipment at onece... it will make you a little more lazy....

[@darthdadious6142]

Gorgeous picture!!!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@markhelton8032]

If I stay doing astro imaging long enough, I will be in the poor house!! HAHA. Great review. Nice to see innovation in the hobby. CS Mark

[@waheex]

Fantastic video. I have started down the Asiair route so I understand that QHY gear will not work with it, so currently I will stick with OSC but mono looks amazing

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

ASIAir can still give you great mono imaging, as it does support ZWO EFW, and monochrome cameras! Hopefully ZWO can build a monochrome 585, and I would then recommend the 7x36mm fitler wheel together with the Touptek SHO 3.5-4nm filters!

[@michaelw6173]

It is a game changer and well worth the dollars spent. And with a small scope and star-tracker, it is a light setup for traveling and camping. I was considering the ASI585MC Pro, just because I have ZWO gear. Maybe I will have to get the laptop out. But I would image that ZWO will bring something out in the next 12 months, competition does strange things. Still I may just buy this and use the ZWO stuff with my 6DMk2. Upgrades, 1 usb-c port then plug in a hub, that fixes the space problem.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I would love for ZWO to copy this camera :)

[@alcosound]

A very intriguing camera/filter wheel combination. I was quite tempted to order the monochrome version, but I don't see any compatibility with INDI and Raspberry Pi 5 I own already, yet.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yeah, not yet - QHY will first need to release a new INDI SDK version

[@CalebKam]

Great stuff Cuiv. I wanted to seek some clarification (i might have missed it if you have said it): at 12:00 Does the M48 adapter put the flange to sensor distance to 55mm? Also adding on 14:30 I believe the whole point of this product is to remove the cost barrier into filtered imaging. The fact this entire product cost less than 2 of my narrowband filters, and I guess upgrading the filters would cost a significant amount of money, you may as well go full size and upgrade the camera as well while you are there.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes, the M48 adapter puts the distance to sensor to 55mm! Agreed also, the cost barrier is really lessened with this camera!

[@Joanne_Mahlmeister]

Thank you for the comprehensive review. Since I am on a fixed income, this may be the thing that motivates me to leave the ZWO ecosystem.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's hard to leave the ZWO ecosystem once you're in, but I'm currently testing the Touptek Astrostation, which may also help

[@ignisfreak]

For me this would bring my Skywatcher 150P reflector back into service. The 480gr weight makes it possible to use a mono setup with the crappy Skywatcher crayford focuser. I am using an Artemis-M Pro with a Pegasus Indigo 7 position 2inch filter wheel, and just the filter wheel itself is 2,5kg. No way the focuser of the Skywatcher can handle this, so I am limited to using my Omegon Pro 72Q APO refractor for mono imaging. Great solution from QHY!

[@ferenc-x7p]

Hey Cuiv! I had a few QHY cameras and they all go max cooling as soon as I plug in, so I don't know why QHY saying they don't know about that. Also I've been using an osc camera and I haven't developed some mono images since the summer. Soon as I did that, I was like "what am I doing ?" With the color camera I meant. But at the end of the day it's the journey and not the destination. As long as we are having fun!

[@iancraig2507]

Love your Horsehead image

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@Poketronics]

I love how with your processing the OIII halo didn't really show up in the end. For this price point I can live with that halo, especially since my goal will be small galaxies and planetary nebulae. I have recently been burned by a certain manufacturer's LRGB filters having halos though, so I'd be interested in verifying if those have any just in case. I think the reduced weight of this cam will have benefits for newtonians with their awkward camera placement! I also have noticed that my new QHY600M-SBFL cam has the same cooling on power up behavior, which made me question if the temperature sensor was defective initially. I reached out to QHY and they gave me an answer that implied it was intentional: "EZCAP opens the device and manually sets 9.8% because we set the power-on preheating step for the refrigerator by default, which is to extend the life of the refrigerator."

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Interesting on the other QHY camera! I don't really like that behavior either!

[@ScottLewis901]

Do you have a printable step by step for this camera and the telescope you used and the Nina software? I would be very interested in a document I could download for that. Thanks for a great video!

[@lwizzit]

Damn. This might finally be the product that gets me to switch from the Asiair to NINA.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yessss, do the switch!

[@thomasjcbssn]

Great video! Do you think this sensor, paired with the parfocal filters, can work well as a mono planetary setup, enabling quick filter changes to avoid rotational blur?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

They're planning on planetary filters as well, so let's wait for that!

[@thomasjcbssn]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks, that sounds like a good idea! Clear skies 😃

[@dawgmach1913]

You have my attention! I like that its using the 585 sensor. Will this camera / filter wheel combo work with ASIAir? Thanks!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Unfortunately it won't work! The ASIAir is based on free, open source software that supports almost all astro-camera brands, but ZWO has modified it in their ASIAir so that it can ONLY support ZWO astro cameras, filter wheels, rotators, and guide cameras...

[@on_wheels_80]

Awesome stuff! So now I want the same from ZWO but with duo sensor (filter clearing the tracking sensor) and Air built in.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha that would be so cool!

[@sebastienb.5985]

If the filter wheel fail , you can still use the camera with an external filter wheel like a normal camera. The backfocus on the Minicam 8 is 17.5mm ...

[@LawrenceConnolly]

Beautiful image. 😮

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@myketripp3838]

This is a great view and exciting! I'm new to astrophotography, and I'm currently using a mirrorless camera and loving it. Also, I'm strongly leaning toward purchasing a dedicated camera and scope, and Ironically, the Askar SQA55 you showed is my front-runner for telescope options. My dilemma... I was also looking at a dedicated color Astro camera like the ASI533MC, but this QHY Minicam 8 has my attention. I'm unfamiliar with this brand, so is this camera really that good? I welcome the thought of simplifying the use of those filters and the process. Oh, I take it there is no capability issue with the ASIair Plus? Once again, thank you for your content and expertise.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

The camera is really good - but as mentioned in the video, it will NOT work with the ASIAir (this isn't QHY's fault, but ZWO actively blocks cameras from other makers, even though the ASIAir is built on top of free/open-source software that DOES support those other brands). QHY was in the astrocamera game before ZWO came along, so they're reliable :)

[@zalllon]

Wow, this is a great solution for beginners like me (EV😅living from a Seestar). Unfortunately I went with ASI585 MC Pro and a ZWO 5x2” filter wheel thinking I’d go with an ASI2600 MM Pro in 2 yrs. I would’ve loved to have started out with this mono version and got a cheaper telescope, and my budget would’ve allowed 2 different focal lengths! I think I’ll consider this option for my next purchase and sell the ZWO gear I bought and switch to NINA once I get more experience.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Sounds like a good road to tread! And your equipment is already great!

[@blayzer8871]

Thx for the video! The cam looks good and I thought about getting one. But because of the halo in O3 I will pass. You said its also possible to buy the cam without filters. Is it then a "normal" cam like the other QHY or does is come with the filterwheel? When the filterwheel is allways attached the problem is that no other filter manufacturer makes filters in that size. I talked to some manufacturers here in Germany and all of them wont make filters in that size.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Understandable! I think you would need to ask QHY about additional filters in that case - and if this camera is successful, or other brands imitate it, manufacturers will potentially change their mind, it all depends on the network effect...

[@blayzer8871]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek The manufacturers I talked to wont make filters because its really hard to make filters that are that close to the sensor. When they sell them as halo free and usable up to f2 or f3 the distance to the sensor is important. But we will see. At the moment I would buy the touptek mono 585 and a extra 1,25" oder 31mm wheel with filters. It would be a bit more expensive but not that much. depends on the filters.

[@dazza1639]

Awesome little camera. I have used an Atikone 6.0 with an integrated filter wheel for years. But that has only 5 positions for 1.25” filters. I use a StellarMate pro. Have you tried the camera with yours yet? I’m thinking this would make a great travel rig

[@brod5352]

Hi Cuiv. What a great video. I can see why people might be excited. But I have some use case questions for you. I own an 8" Edge HD and I use a Moonlite Focuser on it which basically turns it into a Richey Chretian OTA. The basic set up is to set the focuser to around 2000 steps which puts it right about midway on the 1/2" of travel that it gives me. Then I go to the focuser for the Edge HD and focus it so that I can as sharp an image as I can and then I lock in the mirror. From that point on I use the Moonlite Focuser for everything. Only headache this causes is when I want to use my Starizona Hyperstar. As I have to use the Edge HD Focuser with the camera on the front of the OTA. What I have found is that back focus doesn't seem to be an issue, and I want to see if you or anyone else agrees. I use the .70 reducer on the edge hd which gives it a 1422 mm focal length. The reducer screws into the Moonlite focuser which has approximately 4000 steps from racked all the way in to all the way out. So I set the focuser at 2000 and then dial in the focuser on the Edge HD. Once I get the image nice and sharp, I lock in the mirror and the Moonlite focuser takes over. Then I add my Scops OAG which is an autofocus OAG which adds 35mm to the back focus. Then a filter drawer which adds another 11mm and the M54 adapter that comes with my QHY268C which adds about 23.5mm to the sensor. But as long as I get a nice sharp focus using my Edge HD focuser at that 2000 step mid-point, the back focus doesn't seem to be an issue. Does this make sense? It works but I'm curious to your thoughts on the matter. My other question has to do with the 2.9 micron sensor. Typically at 1422mm I need a larger pixel size. But I bought a ZWO 071 due to the larger pixel size but found out I like the image my QHY 268C gives me over the ZWO 071 MC Pro. So I'm wondering if pixel size is really all that important. I'm thinking of getting the Minicam8 as it looks like a good value and an easy way to get into monochrome. I do pick smaller targets since I have 1422mm to play with. Do you think the MiniCam8 would be a suitable set up for an 8" Edge HD with 0.7 reducer? Thanks and keep up the good work. ;0)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Sorry I'm unable to go into such depth of details... I am just one man.... Good luck!

[@magicmountainpercussion3336]

Great review and horsehead image! I just wish it was compatible with my asiair plus. I guess I will have to hope zwo comes up with something similar as I am still using a nikon d 850 and am holding off on a cooled digital camera due to cost and complexity.

[@vidholf]

Thank you, Cuiv! Between your review and Lucomatico's, I am very tempted. Would I really notice a difference in images captures by this combo, versus Touptek's color imx585 (which I already have - thanks to your review of it :) ?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

On broadband, you'd probably see somewhat better details and SNR compared to the color version, but not shocking. On narrowband, the difference should be starker, as you're able to split the channels more cleanly with monochrome - but the difference wouldn't be huge! Remember, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! So keep using your Touptek for now, until you feel you really want to go monochrome!

[@michaellewis5921]

Looks like a compelling offering for those starting out, and also for that small portable setup. I have a small setup of my own that uses an ASi 2600MC Air and a Redcat. very compact. if there was a way to control this with an ASIAir clone that would be nice, as I like not having to use a laptop when running a small portable setup. I think you have reviewed some ASIAIR clones that might work? I am always MUCH happier running monochrome imaging than using OSC cameras, so that is the attraction of a this for portable setups. But would then also add a guide camera and scope, so hard to say compared to what I have...Anyway, great review - very exciting little product.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I'm currently testing the Touptek Astrostation, which has a lot of potential!

[@aradani3]

Thank you Cuiv, This looks like a very good product, at very good price! Buying a cooled 585 + filter wheel + filters would be 900$ - 1000$ EASY. I think the mono version is great, however I whish the color version had a filter with Sii (or Sii+Oiii like Askar's), so that you can make an SHO picture. The only think you didn't talk about in the review is image scale, which is somewhat confusing. Is it fair to say that 2.9 pixel fits FL between 300 and 600? Or it doesn't matter, and if you use this sensor under sampled, you just should use dithering? (of course if this is mono you can do 2x2 binning when over 600mm FL)

[@drtools9226]

Really great love to have a mono cam. With my c6 it would be superb for galaxy Seaso. Now i have to save money ❤

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

That would be a great match :)

[@damiengalanaud3817]

Salut Cuiv Lorsque j’ai vu la revue de Luke et qu’il a dit que tu allais aussi tester cette caméra, j’étais certain que tu allais être séduit par le côté « kawaï » de l’objet ! Plus sérieusement, merci pour cette super revue; j’étais à la recherche d’une nouvelle caméra monochrome pour aller avec mon Askar 120 afin d’aller chercher des petites galaxies. J’allais partir sur la 183MM mais il est clair que la MiniCam 8 change complètement la donne et que je vais très probablement partir sur ce produit.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha le cote kawaii est en effet seduisant! Mais oui je suis d'accord, maintenant que le 585 monochrome est dispo, le 183 est obsolete imo...

[@astrofromhome]

Great video Cuiv! The drawbacks that you mention sound well selected and true. Anyway for the price that QHY asks some of them I would not care about.. That the cooler starts running on connection is also something that I don't like. Anyway I think I need to get one of those miniCAM8 monochrome. You know I just started monochrome but I am totally caught by the results. The miniCAM would be a great addition to my three IMX571sensor (two OSC, one monochrome) cameras. 😂 I am already thinking about the crazy idea to pair this tiny chip using super small pixels with my 8" RC telescope to hunt some galaxies. I know the image wound be very soft in term of appearance but having M101 and so covering the whole sensor is some new experience too. 😁

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oh man, YES, do it! I want to see the results on an 8 inch RC!

[@astrofromhome]

@CuivTheLazyGeek Thank you very much for giving my crazy ideas the push to the next level. 😂 The miniCam 8 is nowhere available in Europe except in one shop in Spain. Downside is they ask 925€ for the monochrome combo. I need to evaluate alternative solutions even though I like the packaging cam and filter wheel in one. 😁

[@jamesw5713]

Wow, so so cool! I have an un-cooled 585 and have committed to an ASIair already unfortunately. Would be awesome to have a separate filter wheel like that with mini filters.......ZWO make it happen 😊

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Would be good if ZWO and other makers copied the concept!

[@jamesw5713]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek It would help intermediate level astrophotographers like myself get into monochrome or using filters in general without spending a fortune.

[@anvikshiki]

Just out of curiosity, are there any astro equipment shops in the Tokyo area you would recommend? Or is the environment here also mostly online ordering? Thank you!

[@Ginger619]

Very interesting and didactic as usual Cuiv. About the OAG, I guess on Petzval design refractors without reducer, you can unscrew the extender and replace the part with an OAG, even if you don't get the 55mm backfocus. Am I wrong ?

[@jeffbrennan5394]

Not sure if you mentioned this. Would a rotator work on this camera? Great video and I loved pic of the horsehead!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not with the default adapters - but if you get a C mount to M42 or M48 adapter (see links in description) it should be doable together with the right spacers!

[@didierpeyret9561]

Thanks for this interesting review Cuiv! You mention several times that you are under a very polluted sky. It would be interesting to compare your photo of the Horsehead Nebula with another one taken outside Tokyo, under a darker sky, with the same equipment. Why not with the system you show in this video, since it should be easily transportable...?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I do have an older video where I use two setups in B4 vs B9 at the same time! :) But good idea!

[@bigguix]

could you do an astrophoto camera tier list Cuiv? would be so helpful! merci et bonne année du Quebec !

[@quentinG_9841]

Just bought a 2600mm with antlia LRGBSHO filters (3nm for the narrowband filters). Not the same price, but a huge sensor compared to the IMX 858 😊

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Now that's some awesome kit!

[@quentinG_9841]

@ yep works really well with the FRA 400 and the ZWO AM5 👌

[@Frank-i1e6p]

Very interesting. Is like the ASI183 GT Mono. 🙂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes! But with the really tiny filters for a tiny camera and price - the GT were using 1.25" or 36mm filters if I remember correctly!

[@kamilpieta6842]

Hi Cuiv, Great review as always! I have a one question, are these narrowband filters bidirectional? I remember struggling with setting up my unmounted 36mm filters to ZWO EFW.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's a great question, and I actually have no idea! I just installed them in the filter wheel in the same direction as they came in the plastic container (although because I measured them with my spectrophotometer first, I may have unintentionally flipped some...)

[@kamilpieta6842]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek It would be great if the supplier included such a message on the packaging, but since there is no such information, maybe it was intentionally omitted to avoid creating additional confusion. Clear skies!

[@neilhankey2514]

Why are you getting chromatic abberation with the SQA55? Magenta stars?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

That's narrowband stars! They're naturally magenta after SHO combination, regardless of scope :)

[@geno145]

As a ZWO addict, I blame the ASI air, I contemplate sharp cap or Nina for the cure. Both require a learning curve. As an intermediate user, which would YOU recommend?

[@tmrdarkstar85]

the filter mask build into the wheel for unmounted filters I wish they did this for all of their wheels that use unmounted filters. M42 adapter would be super nice so we can use it on the older SCT models like your c6 or my c8.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I bought a C mount to M42 adapter, seems to work well!

[@GameGW935]

I will have to look out for it. I started a few months ago with a OSC camera and I want to get into monochrome.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Definitely a good entry point for monochrome!

[@charlesalexander8099]

That is an amazing photo 🔥🏆🔥 I have a odd question, can you use this camera on a hyperstar? I’m extremely new so I apologize if this is a backwards question.🤠

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It should be possible with the right adapters, but because the sensor is off center, the camera would dangle over the corrector plate on one side

[@santiagomadruga4298]

Sensor IMX585 is top notch. Small, but QE is above the usual 533/571.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep! Love that sensor!

[@GregStachowski]

This is a fantastic device for education: for schools, students and astronomy clubs. Compact and inexpensive with functionality mimicking a much more expensive camera and filter setup. Please please QHY offer a set of Johnson-Cousins BVRI photometric filters in this format as an add-on item, it would take this to 100% usability. Students could then do useful science with this, and at that form factor the filters would be affordable for a school (maybe you can pass that on to QHY?).

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Agreed! And QHY tells me they are working on a set of photometric filters for the camera, so there's hope!

[@GregStachowski]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Fantastic!