Which Astrophotography Camera Should You Buy?

I get asked a lot about cameras for astrophotography so here’s an overview of the main differences between them. It’s not long enough for a full explanation but should help you start the research for the camera you need. I know I say I prefer CCD, but CMOS cameras like the ZWO1600 are catching up for deep space so keep your eye on them.
Support my alcoholism by getting some Star Stuff stuff:
/ @dylanodonnell
Dylan's Telescopes, Cameras & Equipment
----
Celestron RASA 8" Telescope
amzn.to/3G4nlbP
Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Smartphone Adapter
amzn.to/3g20wLd
Skywatcher EQ8Rh Pro Mount
Usa : bit.ly/2NMD1em
Aus : bit.ly/3dxdRv1
Celestron CGX Mount
bit.ly/2H1LVl6
Celestron RASA F2 11" Telescope
amzn.to/3ABsVBz
Celestron 11" Edge HD
bit.ly/3eaxJRl
QHY268M Mono CMOS Camera
bit.ly/3dOFgbx
Lunt40mm Solar Telescope
bit.ly/39ggrTW
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack
amzn.to/3ABLAwQ
ZWO ASI 174MM (Planetary / Solar Camera)
amzn.to/3rXqJAj
ZWO ASI 120MM. (Guide Camera)
bit.ly/31bwspA
ZWO ASI 1600MM (Deep Space Camera)
amzn.to/3rXqJAj
Celestron 0.7x reducer for 11" Edge HD
bit.ly/379s0LI
Celestron 0.7x reducer for 9.25” Edge HD
bit.ly/351togR
Celestron 9.25” Edge HD
bit.ly/379Nqsj
Canon 6D mkII DSLR
amzn.to/2CbiVER
Tokina 16-28mm Lens
amzn.to/3fdFJCo
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Full Frame
amzn.to/3G9kjmP
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
amzn.to/3H9yPfA
Dylan’s links
----
PATREON : / dylanodonnell
WEB : deography.com
FACEBOOK : / dylanodonnell
TWITTER : / erfmufn
INSTAGRAM : / dylan_odonnell_
Intro Music - "Moving the Ocean (Aerologic Edit)" by Blastculture.

[@DylanODonnell]

Although I talk about the advantages of CCD vs CMOS I didn’t make it clear that CMOS is really catching up and because of huge consumer smartphone demand the technology is improving! It won’t be long before CMOS will reach scientific grade stability and quality for photometry etc. and certain CMOS cameras on the market are already better than many CCDs in many ways.

[@antandshell]

Dylan O'Donnell I am glad you posted this as cmos osc cameras have come a long way and CCD is a dieing technology. Your information you give in the video was accurate 10 years ago but not anymore. You should consider redoing this video with more updated information.

[@DylanODonnell]

A modern OSC CMOS will still perform worse than a modern mono CCD .. but I agree, a more up to date video will need to be done as the technology progresses. There are still updates to CCD tech but CMOS will outpace it.. this has only just started to happen this year so the first gen are ... ok... but they will take over in the next couple of years for sure. :)

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

Dylan, that was an excellent description of the two different sensor technologies, thanks much. I just had my Sony A7S astro modified by Kolari in New Jersey. I'm still learning how to shoot it, but the H emissions are clearly more pronounced. Not shooting DSO yet, and still using non-guided tracking systems, but I can see myself evolving into that arena. More gear and investment. Oh dear!

[@Mach1Greeble]

Dude, I have got to say. You have a gift for explaining things.

[@DylanODonnell]

Ahh thanks man, Makes me want to make more videos! thanks.

[@user-cw3nb8rc9e]

Totally agree!

[@jesseavalos08]

I agree with you on that very educated

[@user-cw3nb8rc9e]

You are perfect at explaining things in simple, yet detailed way. I will learn from you a tons of things!

[@celestromel]

Another great tutorial! You really are on a roll! Many thanks, Dylan.

[@ThatsMyCoffee]

I'd never considered CCD cams as I thought they were out of date. Thanks for correcting this misconception.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks! CCD is the mature technology and CMOS is burgeoning. CMOS will probably take over but it's a really close race right now at this point in the market (2018)

[@DSPRemote]

Thanks for this video, I appreciated the referral to the Bintel Astronomy calculator. I will use it often.

[@KingsleyJBurton]

Thanks so much Dylan, well crafted and clear, especially for us newbs. I'd be really keen on a revised version particularly given the changes in the market. I'm just starting my journey into deep space astroimaging and keen to get a mono camera and would welcome some guidance.

[@retireddoc6145]

Thank you for the great video. I am just getting started and am trying to figure what camera to get and the information you provide is really helpful. That Bintel Astronomy Calculator is really great. I love that little backyard observatory in your intro with your great little helper :-),

[@davejacobsen3014]

Worked as outreach to public on Kitt Peak NOAO. I found that answered many questions I still had about astrophotography that I hadn’t heard the answers to. Thanks for all the information and clarity.

[@hogsatkat]

A great heads up on whats best/better in the way of cameras for all things Astro.....

[@matteodonega618]

Always useful, always clear and fun! Thanks a lot!

[@celestromel]

One of your best, Dylan! Thanks heaps 😋

[@AstroGuy99]

Thanks Dylan. An excellent video. Very clear and suitably concise. Would love to see an annual update.

[@donaldfawcett9965]

Dylan, I'm just starting out with astrophotography and so am really appreciative of your work and the advice available through your channel. I've made a few small purchases and am in the research phase for various bits and pieces and bigger purchases so really appreciate the honest and well considered advice you provide. Also must say, it's good to get an Aussie perspective as most info seems to be from o/s, and although it all helps not everything is relevant to us in this part of the world, however your info definitely is. Cheers, Don.

[@DylanODonnell]

The Don hey Don ! Welcome to the club :) thx for your kind words .. I’m glad the channel is of any use to anyone 😊🇦🇺🍻

[@beachbum9869]

Very informative I appreciate your hard work to bring this information in a very understandable way. I have always wanted to do astrophotography and am gearing up for that now. How much has the technology changed since you produced this video. Is our best as a beginner to just start with adslr? Should it be the astrophotography dedicated body, and can that still be used for day to day? Keep up the great work .

[@dannyprine8850]

good job, on this for me as not having a lot of experience it helps to hear from guys thats been there and done that makes things go faster and better which in turn saves time and money for guys like me moving into this exciting time to be involved with this. thanks very much

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh that's good to hear! It pays to know some of the fundamentals when choosing a camera.

[@MonteOlsen]

Wow. Great video! Thanks for the info. As the previous commenter said, you have a real gift for presenting information in an understandable way.

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers Monte!

[@cassiel1970]

Top video, thanks Dylan. I’ve just started astronomy with the aim of moving into astrophotography when I have a bit more knowledge, but thanks to your vid camera choice is a no brainer - DSLR it will be! I only wish I’d watched your ‘which first telescope to buy’ video before I bought me scope! 🙄

[@5729ariel]

Awesome video, Dylan, thanks for posting!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey no problem :)

[@RobKenning]

Thanks Dylan. Most of my questions answered in one video. Thanks.

[@DylanODonnell]

Rob Kenning I’m glad it helped! Thanks!

[@outbackwack368]

Dylan, you did a GREAT job of explaining and identifying pros and cons! I'm just researching all of my "stuff" to begin AP now, so when I'm ready to pull the trigger I am well informed. And YOU are one of the guys that is educating me on this EXPENSIVE hobby! Thanks and clear skies!!!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey I’m glad it helped mate :)

[@rrbcap]

Thanks so much for the video. Just getting into Astrophotography and appreciate your insight.

[@DylanODonnell]

Ryan B thanks Ryan!

[@TheButzkrieg]

Great video Dylan! Looking forward to more!

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers Butzkrieg !

[@Mr_Spock512]

EXCELLENT video! You explained the pros and cons of each tech (CCD vs CMOS) brilliantly. PS: Hang on to those "Liitle Black Things". LOL

[@tomwright4060]

Great video on cameras to used. I think I will look at the Canon Astrocamera first and then maybe accd camera. I presently own a Orion g3C camera but I have not use it yet.

[@seanmolony-redstickastro238]

Dylan this was a great video. It was a great refresher course to pick a lot of stuff I had either forgotten or did not know. Any chance you might do a part 2? I'm thinking about adding a 16200 sensor to my QSI 690 and 683 collection and would love to hear your thoughts on these cameras. I'm leaning towards the Moravian G3 or QHY but this video taught me some things about QHY that I didn't know, thus now leaning harder to Moravian. I hear QSI is about to release a 16200 camera. Maybe I ought to wait. Sean

[@dinosworkshop6870]

Thanks Dylan. That was short but very informative. Well done because it saves a lot of time and money.

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers Dino!

[@Big.Ron1]

As a newb it helped a quite a bit but also created more questions. Such is life eh? Thank you.

[@trevorreynolds6330]

Hey Dylan, just stumbled across your channel and have watch a few of your videos. Great work man! i am relatively new to astrophotography and have found some of the things you have covered on your channel very helpful. I have a question about the DSLR option, i know you said it is middle of the pack but for me now that's all i am after for now, what i wanted to know was is the process of connecting a mirrorless camera the same as for my DSLR?

[@jeffreys.8557]

Terrific video and channel. I'm very glad to subscribe. Many thanks for the great content presented in such a clear and entertaining way.

[@DylanODonnell]

Jeffrey Shokler hey thanks for taking the time to say as much Jeff!

[@Station2066]

Awesome video. Cheers. I know a lot of work goes into your YTV. Very much enjoy StarStuff! ✌️

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Mate! You’d be surprised how *little* work goes into these videos. It’s a very quick and dirty solo side project 😆

[@brinkoo7]

3 years later, when you have the motivation and time this would be a great topic to revisit! Great video as always !

[@DylanODonnell]

True !

[@georgepistikoudis]

Great video Dylan. It would be great if you could make another video especially for Astronomy video (deep sky) and the cameras that are best suited for this.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks for the suggestion and kind words!

[@seanmolony-redstickastro238]

Good video Dylan. Worth a part 2 for our integrated cameras like the ATIK One 9.0 and maybe worth mentioning that QSI is back in business and I love my QSI 690 with integrated filters and OAG. Good job. That was a lot to cover. Sean

[@DylanODonnell]

Heh this topic could be a whole series! Thanks man :)

[@supranomicon]

Really useful info, thanks Dylan!

[@DylanODonnell]

neil cooper glad it helped !

[@ACEOFSPACE2000]

Excellent Info Dylan Thanks

[@AstroQuest1]

Great Video Dylan! If only you would made it 5 years ago. I started off with Nikon but then switched to Canon for the same reasons you mentioned. - Cheers

[@Tommyr]

This video is EXTREMELY helpful, thank you for doing it. I'm 61 and just now getting into trying digital astrophotography. My plan is to get a live stacking type setup.

[@batquad8889]

58 and fighting to understand what I am doing.

[@CieloDelAstra]

Thanks for all of the hard work and sharing with this community. I sent you a message on FB because I'm looking for your opinion on a camera from your extensive experience.

[@brentonrasheed384]

Thanks Dylan- a first timer to you and Astro photography, but the way you’ve demystified this CCD vs CMOS is great for me, as about as novice as novices come! But Fascinating!!.. and I’m simply fascinated by the complexity of all this. Now the other burning question is, what software?..have a 800 XLT Celestron CTC series BUT these long time exposures, with these cameras, how do you control the motion of the telescope for Astro photography? Software I’m guessing, but how to choose? Anyway love your videos! I’ll keep on watching! Thanks

[@AntPDC]

Great work Dylan, thank you very much. My initial foray into astrophotography will be with my Nikon D7100. I shot a few still pics of the moon the other night at prime (well Cassegrain) focus on my 8" SCT and I was pretty stunned by the results. I had always used my SCT purely visually - same goes for my 5" Mak (which, annoyingly, has a 1.25" visual back). Of course, I do not expect to see remotely similar quality on the planets - still less DSO's, but I do appreciate your insights with respect to more advanced astrophotography.

[@DylanODonnell]

AntPDC thanks Ant! Scts are really good for dsos and planets too but they are spectacular with a dslr for moon portraits huh. You can still do dsos though with a dslr to great effect as long as the tracking and calibration is good!

[@davidb7089]

Thanks , great vid.

[@theastro-philosophersappre2786]

Thanks, great information

[@photosinferno6870]

Many great tips , You are so correct about making sure you choose the right Camera for your Telescope/Target Choice - I look forward your discussion on Monochrome versus OSC (One Shot Colour) ps: Canon SDK being available to developers from the beginning always meant Nikon was on the back foot from day one with Astrophotography Software.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks John.. the topic is so broad any aspect could've taken longer to explain with better details but hopefully it's a decent springboard for the current market and options for a beginner astrophotographer. Colour video coming soon! (I hope).

[@MansHobbsInterests]

Great advice Dylan 👍👌

[@sergeauvin8479]

Thank you so much for the clarification Dylan. For an astrophoto beginner like me... I learnt a lot on the difference between CCD and CMOS and what they are best at. Currently, I'm using a modified Canon 500D (removed IR filter ) on an old newtonian 120/720 mm to shoot at deep sky objects with some growing success... Now, I understand better what can be my next acquisition!

[@jackthompson6192]

I'm trying to learn all I can about cameras, so I can get the right one. I was looking at the Revolution r2 the one with the CD and hooks up directly to a laptop and powerd by the laptop, for around 300.00 dollars,, it it any good???

[@DylanODonnell]

Excellent news! I'm glad it helped and thanks for the kind feedback! Good luck with the modded camera. I wish I had one of those! :)

[@matus13gamer41]

Really helpfully video! I’m a beginner and I’m looking for a good planetary camera for my 900/80 refractor. What cam would you recommend me? Some people recommended me the ZWO ASI120MC-S, so I want to know your opinion. Thanks!

[@justindurand9110]

Great informative video. Thanks. Liked and subbed.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks for taking the time to say so! Welcome aboard!

[@ViMi1]

Stand-by for camera selfie at 1:40 Nice!

[@IcedReaver]

Hah, it's funny cause in my previous job during failure analysis I used to use a CCD camera to image CMOS chips! Another excellent video Dylan. Also, #CanonMasterRace

[@simonworger]

Subbed. Looking forward to your mono vs osc video.

[@DylanODonnell]

Simon Worger thanks Simon !

[@prabhakarrao4922]

Superb presentation thank you

[@ioan_astro]

hey Dylan, great video, if you had to choose the best camera for 10" RC Telescope, would a older camera like the SBIG STL11000M be a good choice? I've heard that RC telescopes or any longer focal length telescope requires a large pixel size, would love to hear your thoughts.

[@63rml]

Dylan, Great job, this is the first time I can say I understood astro cams. Mike

[@DylanODonnell]

Sully Grills hey thanks! My sub count literally just rolled over 2,000 as I filmed it. If this was you, thanks! If not, thanks for your kind words regardless!

[@tomturtle400]

Excellent video Dylan, thanks for your time. Do you have an opinion about the Mallincam products?

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks! Never used em I'm afraid.

[@JohnyBoy_]

Hey Dylan I recently found your vids and I’ve got to say, they are the best Ive seen. Good information and super useful! I was wondering if you can give me some suggestions on what cameras I should use? I have a edge hd 11 but can’t find anything that isn’t over sampled. If you can I would like one for planetary with a Barlow lens and one for DSO possibly under 1200us dollars, keep the vids coming dude.

[@DylanODonnell]

Get the 0.7x reducer for that Edge HD 11 and I think you'll find your options open up! Long focal lengths just oversample really. Thanks for the kind comments!

[@nullpointerworks4036]

11:20 I feel you. I got a "Little black things" shelf as well. xD

[@jamestickle3070]

Very good and fair overview.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thx James !

[@mickcarson8504]

Hello again, Dylan. How good is the Nexstar 8SL to explore close-up the moon mountains.

[@Kevieb0y]

Hey Dylan. Great vid man, I just came across your channel a couple of days ago so am a new subscriber. Lol all the way up in the NT. Good to see an Aussie doing so well! I'm a photographer who has just recently discovered a new interest in Astrophotography. I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on what might be achievable with the setup I have. I haven't invested in a proper telescope yet, but I ordered the iOptron Skyguider Pro with iPolar a couple of days ago so looking forward to having a play with that. This will be my first time with tracking and autoguiding. So far it's just been single exposures on a tripod. I'm using a Sony A7Riii, and for deep sky I'll be using the 200-600 f5.6/6.3, also mounted on a 2.0x tele. I took some shots with the moon, also cropped in to APS-C, giving me a total reach of 1800mm, and I was quite impressed with the result. I know generally zoom lenses aren't ideal, but have you had any luck using a similar setup? Cheers Kev.

[@DylanODonnell]

Kevin Pattemore welcome mate! Good to have more aussies on the chan (it’s like 90% yank friends). See my video on piggyback astrophotography that might help!

[@Kevieb0y]

@@DylanODonnell cheers man will have a look. P.S. I think I'm lucky where I am too, being that I go out into my front yard and the skies are pitch black, as my place is in Bortle Class 2. A phrase I'd never even heard of until Trevor Jones's videos.. Anyway, cheers, look forward to all the learning to come 👍

[@aeroblaze0001]

Thank you sir you has really helped me out. Hooe you achieve greater heights

[@DylanODonnell]

Happy to help!

[@CodeLeeCarter]

Just getting into the astrophotography game, although, I've been into astronomy for around 30-Years now. I do plan on buying a DSLR camera as well as a CCD, but I'm having issues making up my mind in what Canon camera to buy, I'd want it to be best suited for a Celestron 11069 NexStar 8 SE Computerised Telescope. I'm going for a Un-Modded DSLR and a Canon, more lens. P.S. SUBBED.

[@davidaylsworth8964]

Alrighty, so you’re firmly in the Canon camp, but inquired minds want to know ... Fender vs Gibson, where do you stand there? Being an Epiphone guy is tough. 😉. Good summary! Thanks Sir!!

[@karasavas7791]

Very useful info, thanks for that.But may i say that you are wrong about the infrared filter about the phones.Bc all of my previous phones and the one that i am using now can see infrared lights of the remotes.And those were HTC, Samsung, Asus and now a Xiomi.Is there a prolem about yours?Bc that one should see the IR too.

[@fhparekhco]

Hi Dylan, thank you for informative video. I need your help based on your expert knowledge. I want to do crescent imaging (which is immediately after sunset for 30 to 60 minutes) through Telescope, which camera do you suggest? 1-CCD or CMOS ? 2-Detailed Spec please I have a Celestron Omni XLT 120mm f/8.3 Refractor telescope with equatorial manual mount. It has Aperture of 120mm and a Focal Length of 1000mm. Appreciate your quick and detailed reply. Thank you in advance.

[@Dominik-jk4yq]

Slick intro Dylan. I like it!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks ! It’s most of the substance of my videos 😂

[@kristinningiorarinsson733]

Since I'm your above neigbour from "Up top" and don't have easy access to any astro gear except the cheap end stuff and eye-pieces being the most advandaged accessories I get in the stores here ( I blame the extremely small markert because of population problems ) I would really like to see the differnence in comparison of these cameras you mentinoned in the video (ccd, cmos, mono and dslr ) like with the details and pixelsize comparison, probably plenty time and effort that would go into it for example compare the deepspace cameras on lunar/planets and vice versa and on the same targets and the over and undersampling... But like I said would be a cool video... Keep up the excellent work Dylan... Best regards from "Up Top" here in the isle of Ice Iceland. Kristinn Ingi Þórarinsson.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hi Iceland! I recommend watching my video about Why Astronomers Use Black and White cameras and also trying the Astronomy Calculator I developed with your gear and any camera you are considering. www.bintel.com.au/tools/astronomy-calculator/ Video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/onWTi3tomdSGos0

[@tfer68]

What are your thoughts on the Celestron NexImage cameras? Currently using a Celestron 8SE, but hoping to upgrade soon to a CPC 1100. I’m mostly visual, but would like to try planetary and lunar imaging...

[@captbuscemi]

Hey Dylan, great info, a bewildering subject made a bit simpler. A few requests... 1. Could I suggest you put a link to your calculator on the Bintel site? Takes quite a bit of digging to find it. 2. Can I request a blog post or video on “binning” and “drizzling”? So many Astro sites talk about them, I’m still struggling to understand... 3. I love your definition at 8:04 of “very very cheap” QHY CCD cameras...cheapest one I can find is well over $2k, ranging waaay above $4k. Think I’m looking at CMOS on that point alone.

[@DylanODonnell]

All good suggestions! Thanks for the feedback :) Yeh QHY is cheap as far as CCD's go in general so it's a relative term. The fast CMOS's are definitely a good option for a cheaper option.

[@chriss8206]

I also have a Nikon and am having that dreaded software issue or lack thereof. Thanks

[@Mobius3c273]

I started as as a visual astronomer, I have a 9.25inch SCT. Recently bought a planetary camera ZW0ASI178. It is brilliant I have taken pictures of M87 jet and Quasar 3C273. Proper Astrophotography with all that processing to me heads in the direction of art. I find that the camera gives me a new dimension to see fainter objects and structure in Galaxies. I'm not after pretty pictures but pushing the boundaries of limiting magnitude... to see more. Some of the tips of astrophotographers serves me well. Binning for example is another useful tool. The ZWOASI178 has pushed my telescope limiting magnitude to about 16 now..WoW. Next trick is to use my barlow lens and binx2 to see if I can go further and deeper into space. Lol so much for it being just a planetary camer. I owe this channel alot for tips. The binning process allows me to brighten objects without long exposures which is useful for star hopping to objects like 3c273

[@chriss8206]

Hi Dylan great video. I also have a 9.25 and have been using a dslr. I'm ready to make the move to a neximage camera. What beginner cam do you recommend is the best to start with. Thanks

[@DylanODonnell]

I think the ZWO range is pretty solid! I'd try the 1600MM (mono) with filters .. then you can do narrowband :)

[@hypersphereengineering6015]

Dunno how old you are Dylan but I used to do Astro Photography with a Minolta SLR camera using black and white Kodak Tech Pan 2415 film. This was before the internet, no GOTO mounts or Autoguiding. We used to hand guide the scope with a simple hand controller and an illuminated reticle eyepiece. Backbreaking to do a 15 minute shot. We had a Darkroom and after an imaging session would stay up and develop the Negatives and then print out photos using the projector and various chemicals. You'd walk out of the Darkroom at sunrise. It's a lot easier now.

[@DylanODonnell]

Sure is! Sounds like a lot of effort that I would most certainly have been too lazy for. There is still effort now, but it's mostly digital. That last image I posted took more hours to process than to capture, but I'm comfortable with computers. I'm pretty sure I would've killed myself or burnt the building down with darkroom chemicals. I'm 42 and did a pre-digital photography minor at uni so am familiar with the process BUT I skipped all the chemical stuff and did experimental stuff with digital scanners instead, long before digital cameras were a thing.

[@waynecarton4245]

Dylan my names wayne from melbourne Australia just watched you video its so interesting as you showed the alpa canopus star can you please tell me the round filter you us to get the point off the star it name and price to buy and where to get it in melourne yours wayne from melbourne

[@frl8031]

Awesome Dylan. Are you going to be at the Byron Bay Starstuff festival? If so I'd love to meet and greet :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Yes, I'm the organiser .. and a speaker .. so I'll definitely be there :) Come say hi!

[@KenMarshall-hl8ks]

Awesome video

[@JamesBrine]

That calculator is really helpful, thanks mate :)

[@DylanODonnell]

thanks James! It's pretty no-frills but it's HTML5 and I got the maths right so I'm happy! Also thanks for the sub!

[@JamesBrine]

Actually, your all-star-align video encouraged me to get the cg5-gt out after several years of it gathering dust, work out it wasn't my alignment process that was off, take it apart and fix the gear mesh issues and actually get some proper tracking going on. So definitely worthy of a sub :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Hah.. that's great news! Success!

[@JamesBrine]

Indeed, it was kind of disheartening buying a mount second hand that had been 'professionally rebuilt' with a hyperdrive kit that would never align properly, dec motor would just cut out randomly but the stepper motor controller thought it was still running as the gears were spinning. It was as easy as turning a few screws and applying some lithium grease. The danger now is, astrophotography is an expensive hobby :P

[@jesseavalos08]

How about! great video by the way …I was thinking about the Revolution Imager R2 with color video 7” Monitor V.S. ZWO ASI290MM mono chrome cmos camera For My 114MM Newtonian Reflecter telescope f9 1000 FL please advise

[@farrjarr]

Great vid. My Samsung can see ir but my daughters iPhone can't see ir. At times I've used my phone attached to our portable scopes and we see odd objects in the sky.!

[@DylanODonnell]

How interesting!

[@ChristianPsencik]

Just watched this video for the first time. Wow things have changed since you made this.

[@DylanODonnell]

Sure have!

[@breakalegfpv9532]

just started in the hobby, thank you for this resource. I subscribed. smash like NOW!!

[@jenniferrobinson4277]

I bought yours! I'm still using it 😀

[@hacksesh]

Great Vid Dylan. Question about IR. I just purchased an Atik CCD camera w/o an IR filter. However, Atik recommends using an IR cut filter for best results. Confused weather I would get best results w/ or without it considering people go to great lengths to modify their DSLR cameras to remove the IR filter. Thanks Dylan!

[@DylanODonnell]

Rory-Clarke hey thx ! Is it a colour camera? If so the ir cut filter is sometimes good to make sure you get good natural colour .. it gets red dominant without it.

[@hacksesh]

Yeah, it's a OSC. Awesome, thanks Dylan.

[@robertdemartino2572]

Great video.

[@davidjames4915]

Fwiw, the Fujifilm cameras with the X-Trans sensor do not have a low pass filter, so they will produce pinky red nebulosity straight out of the camera.

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

Which models of Fuji have that sensor?

[@miro8432]

Great informative video! I was looking at an ASI160MM and now am starting to look at an SBIG STF-8300M. The problem is that my set-up is more suited for the ASI1600MM, this is my question: Should I get the ASI and lose the benefits of CCD and have good sampling or should I get the SBIG and have all the benefits of CCD but have slight undersampling? Cheers in advance :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Vic Rattlehead my next video is literally about the zwo1600mm .. stay tuned :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Aaaaaaaand it’s dropped!

[@HiwaymanKS]

Really enjoyed the video. Care to share your camera settings for your ISS transit photo? Transits don't happen very often and I don't want to spend months of trial and error. BTW my CGX should be here in 2 days so I hope you get a commission

[@DylanODonnell]

That topic deserves it's own video! But the setting that matters is 1/1600th of a second shutter speed :) Hey congrats on the CGX! I was so pumped when I got mine. (still am really heh)

[@HiwaymanKS]

Thanks I appreciate the info. I was having a lot of problems with a CPC 925 on a wedge and Starsense, it would align but never calibrate even remotely close so it quit being enjoyable. I went with your recommendation on the CGX assuming I might still have problems. but not that one.

[@chipflaming]

Thanks for a useful video, Dylan. If you explained why a higher frame rate is useful for planetary photography, I missed it. Does it have to do with taking a number of shots and looking for one with low atmospheric distortion?

[@DylanODonnell]

Check my 20 tips for planetary astrophotography video :)

[@chipflaming]

Aha. Lucky imaging, or lucky^2 imaging. Thanks.

[@stoddardtutoring6733]

I was hoping to find a remake ur updated video here. It's now 2.5 years later.

[@zxwmabcdef5439]

Would a cmos camera be better for Jupiter and Saturn? They spin like a top.

[@MrGp3po]

Curious: I just got an ASI294MC Pro, rather than modify my Nikon D5300 (love it), but now I read about people inserting an IR cut filter for the 294. What?

[@denispol79]

I switched to Canon too. Magic Lantern is really a great help for astro photography.

[@venomman]

Huuuuuge mistake, the Nikon has an insanely better sensor for deep darks at low iso. It's night and day better.

[@markusspeicher4648]

I have a Celestron 4SE. What CMOS do you recommend?

[@mathswithpete5078]

Dylan, Your video largely discusses cameras in terms of planetary vs deep space. However let's say you are solely looking to discover comets and asteroids. Which is better then - ccd v cmos? And which is better monochorome or color? And is Ha wavelength any advantage?

[@kennethrich2107]

Which camera would you recommend if I'm using the SVBONY SV503 Telescope, which has a 80mm Objective and a 560mm focal length. I'm on a budget obviously, and am only interested in taking pictures/video of the moon & sun. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@DylanODonnell]

use the Bintel calculator .. I wrote it and you can simulate different cameras and it will tell you what's good :)

[@Microtonal_Cats]

3:52 How about a video comparing your photos 5 years ago with now, how much better they've gotten, and how you you did it. ...Including getting focus so much better with EdgeHD now than this old M42. I think you even had EAF back then, right?

[@austenshephard9060]

G’day, great video. What would you recommend for a beginner with a 8” Dob without an EQ. I am looking at solar system ie Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars. I currently use a simple smartphone adapter down the lens. I was considering the ZWO but am wondering if it is worth it without an EQ. Greatly appreciate your advice.

[@8slkmic]

Just stick with a smartphone until you get a telescope that can track and allow for a ccd camera to be useful. I have a Orion 8xt, and I use my galaxy s10 with a 25mm eyepiece and a phone mount to the eyepiece. kzbin.info/www/bejne/onzIh4mcjq1qpKc

[@8slkmic]

Just bought a sky watcher star adventurer. I already have a Nikon d3300, camera and I just use the standard lenses until I buy a telescope photography lense. I use the camera with the star adventurer and use my phone with my Dob. Its possible to use a dslr with the Dob but you will need a extension tube that connects to the eyepiece area. It's a hassle to get a good pictures

[@grohuskochris]

i love your intros! so groovy!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Chris! I’m quite proud of that little 20 second edit which took me a lot longer than that in iMovie 😆

[@grohuskochris]

@@DylanODonnell definitely alot to be proud of. if my telescope cafe performs into the 6 digits of revenue, im flying you to Texas as a guest telescope operator of our future Planewave telescope and sponsor your work.

[@grohuskochris]

@@DylanODonnell youre very welcome!

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeww! It's a deal :)

[@grohuskochris]

@@DylanODonnell perfect! now to shoot for the 6 digits!

[@book3100]

Good. I did the right thing. A friend of mine offered a Canon dslr to me as a step into AP, which I accepted. So in the near future I'll be posting my own attempts at AP :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Welcome to the club :)

[@JoeSchmoeLivesHere]

As a lifetime Nikon shooter considering some *low budget* astrophotography you're right about Canon's well earned dominance in that arena. They (Canon) were 'wise' enough to release Software Development Kits (ie SDKs) pretty much from the jump. This gave them a likely insurmountable advantage in those terms. ps: My Nikon buds will ostracize me tout suite if I don't mention still being a diehard Nikon terrestrial photographer. ;) Great channel!!! Cheers!

[@DylanODonnell]

You get it Joe! Yep.. I used Nikon for ages and loved it, nothing to complain about *except* for the lack of firmware SDK support. Thanks for the kind words man :)

[@TheAngryAstronomer]

I'm pretty new to the scene but thus far the only issue I've come across as a Nikon owner is the distinct lack of clip in filters but tbh that's really not a big deal. I use Backyard Nikon for control and erm, sequence generating I suppose that would be called? and it's a really decent program. They released the SDK a while back now, at least as far as I know to O'Telescope. I'm not sure if was made widely available now but I don't think budget togs entering the deep sky community should feel put off so much any more or feel overly pressured into changing brands to suit the hobby.