Nice summary, Joe. The 294 is definitely an upgrade in every way over the 1600. Even if you run it in bin1, while the overall stats for QE, well, etc are nearly identical, you get a sensor with 2.315 micron pixels and a massive 8288x5244 resolution.
Thanks Jonny, yeah, I've really only used bin1 mode so far since I'm working with a focal length of 447mm, but one of the drawbacks is the massive file sizes. It's taking longer to move files, taking up more hard drive, and post processing has slowed considerably. PixInsight has a difficult time on my PC stacking the large files, time-wise. I did try a quick stack in DSS and it was like normal speeds, but I normally do my stacking in PI
sorry to be offtopic but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Ibrahim Jesse Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Hey Joe, you mention at the start of the video that you should be able to keep your existing 1.25” filter set? Is that the case? I have a Zenithstar 61 and hoping to use the 1.25” filters with the 294mm.
Informative video as always. Was hoping to see some comparisons of the 1600 vs the 294 on the same target, sub comparison & final image comparison, to really highlight the upgrade. Hopefully a Part 2. 😁
Thanks Andrew, that's the plan for part 2 plus some final thoughts. I need the clouds to go away so I can image some of the same targets I have with the 1600...damn clouds...lol
@@JoesAstrophoto I hear that. Thanks for these videos, and please do keep them coming. It looks like an amazing place to image too, open spaces & your own self-made observatory. That's #1 on my to-do list. All the best.
Thanks for commenting Robert. I was still using the ZWO filters for that one unfortunately. I purposefully left the blue halos in post processing so that I could have a good image to compare with the new to me filters I bought and were waiting for.
Have you noticed any banding in your images that doesn't calibrate out? I tried imaging at Gain 0 and wound up with 4 hours of useless M42 data because the banding was very prominent and would not calibrate out, even with proper flats, flat darks, and darks. My next imaging run I set to Unity Gain and it was much better. This is at 2x2, haven't even tried 1x1. Sucks I can't utilize the full well depth of this camera. Hopefully ZWO addresses this, but it seems they're onto the next newest thing, that being the 2600MM Pro.
Thanks mellow, I have not tried it with 0 gain because I like taking advantage of the extreme low read noise at unity. My skies are so dark where I images I really don't need to go below unity and just set lower exposure times. I hear people complaining about banding issues with the QHY model of this sensor, but have not seen anything on the ZWO model, but I can imagine it would be similar given they both use the same sensor. Maybe different software limits the banding in ZWO? Not sure. I can try and test in the future and let you know. I'm waiting on my new EdgeHD8 to try Bin2, my current setup (effective focal length of 447mm) would be severely under sampled in Bin2 mode.
@@JoesAstrophoto Hi Joe, thanks for the reply. Recently as a gift, I received a ZWO ASI MC178 astro camera and a ZWO ASiair Plus wifi transmitter for my laptop application. This assembly will be mounted on a tripod. Two questions, can this photograph as a stand alone system or do I need a telescope? Please note: This will not be used for stars and planetary systems. However, it will be used at night. Ceiling height from 5,000 to 15,000 feet. (White light only) Next question if applicable, can a Sony or Cannon low f-stop focal lens adapt to this system? Thank you.
That’s one of the most interesting questions I’ve got in a while William. The ASI178MC is supposed to come with a 170 degree FOV lens so you should be able to just use it as is no problem. In the configuration it makes a really nice all sky camera. You can adapt Canon and Nikon lenses to it with special adapters sold by most telescope online stores. For a Sony lens, you may need a Canon adapter and then a Canon to Sony, which may make your back focus too long to achieve focus. I don’t use the ASIAIR, but I believe it’s capabilities are geared around planetary and deep sky objects. You may be better off with free all sky camera software. If you need it to be wireless, there are also Raspberry PI applications for all sky cameras that may work out for you better, but good luck finding a PI4 in stock right now. Hope that helps.
@@JoesAstrophoto Yes indeed thank you. The ZWO ASIair is suppose to allow me to go with wifi direct to my SHD all in one computer for turn on and off capability. This will be placed at a fixed position on order to capture a wide field of view supposingly. I only mentioned Sony, because like Cannon they have some of the best lenses out there.
Hi Al, the 533 is a one shot color camera, where as the 294 I reviewed in this video is mono camera. I just wanted to make sure you got that before I gave you an answer as I'm assuming you are talking about the 294MC Pro camera which has a different sensor than the 294MM Pro. If I were choosing between the 294MC and the 533MC, I would probably go with the 533 because it has a smaller pixel size which would be better for the Raptor61's focal length. If you are asking between the 294MM Pro (mono) vs. the 533MC, I would choose the 294MM Pro because in Bin1 mode it has a much better suited pixel size for the Raptor focal length. All cameras are capable of 14bit but the 294MC and MM have larger sensor sizes than the 533 which will affect the field of view, which you may also want to take into consideration.
@@JoesAstrophoto Thank you for your suggestion. I want something similar to crop sensor. It will be my first Astrophotography camera after DSLR. I have Canon 80D not modified but I am looking for some upgrade. 553 has zero glow and good price. Thanks again. I am subscribed for your channel.
Thanks for commenting Michal, not sure if you mean the calibration frames or calibrating the background in post processing. The calibration frames were normal, I didn't do bias, just darks, flats, and dark flats. I also didn't have a any issues with background calibration using PixInsight in post processing.
@@JoesAstrophoto Not sure why but my comment with link was delated twice. I was referring to issue mentioned in cloudy nights post that you can find by googling "Yes another 294 calibration thread"
@@micham.9057 Thanks Michal I’ll check it out and see if I can test as well. This happens to a lot of my comments for some reason and I don’t know why, but thanks for trying. I’ll find it on Cloudy Nights.
@@micham.9057 I read the thread and it seems as though this pertaining to the 294MC Pro, the color camera. It's important to note and I'll add this to the Part 2 video that the 294MC Pro uses the IMX294 sensor while the 294MM Pro (mono version) uses the IMX492 sensor. Now it's entirely possible that the IMX492 sensor may have a similar issue, but I haven't noticed it yet. I'll continue to test and report my findings. Hope this helps!
I have one of these in the mail. Can't wait!
Thanks for commenting, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Nice summary, Joe. The 294 is definitely an upgrade in every way over the 1600. Even if you run it in bin1, while the overall stats for QE, well, etc are nearly identical, you get a sensor with 2.315 micron pixels and a massive 8288x5244 resolution.
Thanks Jonny, yeah, I've really only used bin1 mode so far since I'm working with a focal length of 447mm, but one of the drawbacks is the massive file sizes. It's taking longer to move files, taking up more hard drive, and post processing has slowed considerably. PixInsight has a difficult time on my PC stacking the large files, time-wise. I did try a quick stack in DSS and it was like normal speeds, but I normally do my stacking in PI
sorry to be offtopic but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Uriel Brayan Instablaster :)
@Ibrahim Jesse Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process now.
Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Ibrahim Jesse It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thank you so much you saved my account !
Looking forward to part 2
Thanks Daniel, hopefully if we get some more clear skies, part 2 will be coming soon.
I have the 533 and your explanation of gain and well depth helped a great deal.
Thanks Cap, the 533 has a large well depth also.
Thanks for the comparisons Joe. I am noW going to watch video II
Thanks for commenting Pat. I don't think you have anything to worry about on the second video 😉
@@JoesAstrophoto I noticed I had a typo in that comment ... I edited it to change 'not' to 'noW' ... should have worn my glasses when I typed it.
very good joe
Many thanks Joe!
Joe, thanks for this video,,,convinced me to get the 294mm. Out of curiosity, were you high when you made this video? sounds like you were high
Glad it was helpful! Hahaha, no I wasn’t high, I always sound like that man 😉
Hey Joe, you mention at the start of the video that you should be able to keep your existing 1.25” filter set? Is that the case? I have a Zenithstar 61 and hoping to use the 1.25” filters with the 294mm.
Yep, shouldn’t have a problem. If you are in a really light polluted area like b7+ you may get a little vignette, but would calibrate out with flats.
Informative video as always. Was hoping to see some comparisons of the 1600 vs the 294 on the same target, sub comparison & final image comparison, to really highlight the upgrade. Hopefully a Part 2. 😁
Thanks Andrew, that's the plan for part 2 plus some final thoughts. I need the clouds to go away so I can image some of the same targets I have with the 1600...damn clouds...lol
@@JoesAstrophoto I hear that. Thanks for these videos, and please do keep them coming. It looks like an amazing place to image too, open spaces & your own self-made observatory. That's #1 on my to-do list. All the best.
Interesting video Joe I'm gonna take my time moving to dedicated but it's good to get opinions from real users like you 👍
Thanks Ollie, I hope it helps you. I think you’ll love going dedicated mono, as it opens a whole new world of possibilities.
Great video! What filters did you use for the California nebula!
Thanks for commenting Robert. I was still using the ZWO filters for that one unfortunately. I purposefully left the blue halos in post processing so that I could have a good image to compare with the new to me filters I bought and were waiting for.
Nice video Joe. Very informative. I may buy one, hey hang on I already did lol
Thanks again Glenn for letting me try yours out. It really helped in my decision.
@@JoesAstrophotoIt was my pleasure mate. It's a great camera and I am so happy with mine.
Have you noticed any banding in your images that doesn't calibrate out? I tried imaging at Gain 0 and wound up with 4 hours of useless M42 data because the banding was very prominent and would not calibrate out, even with proper flats, flat darks, and darks. My next imaging run I set to Unity Gain and it was much better. This is at 2x2, haven't even tried 1x1. Sucks I can't utilize the full well depth of this camera. Hopefully ZWO addresses this, but it seems they're onto the next newest thing, that being the 2600MM Pro.
Thanks mellow, I have not tried it with 0 gain because I like taking advantage of the extreme low read noise at unity. My skies are so dark where I images I really don't need to go below unity and just set lower exposure times. I hear people complaining about banding issues with the QHY model of this sensor, but have not seen anything on the ZWO model, but I can imagine it would be similar given they both use the same sensor. Maybe different software limits the banding in ZWO? Not sure. I can try and test in the future and let you know. I'm waiting on my new EdgeHD8 to try Bin2, my current setup (effective focal length of 447mm) would be severely under sampled in Bin2 mode.
Hi are you still answering questions?
Hi William, I’ll do the best I can to answer any questions you may have.
@@JoesAstrophoto
Hi Joe, thanks for the reply. Recently as a gift, I received a ZWO ASI MC178 astro camera and a ZWO ASiair Plus wifi transmitter for my laptop application. This assembly will be mounted on a tripod.
Two questions, can this photograph as a stand alone system or do I need a telescope?
Please note: This will not be used for stars and planetary systems.
However, it will be used at night. Ceiling height from 5,000 to 15,000 feet. (White light only)
Next question if applicable, can a Sony or Cannon low f-stop focal lens adapt to this system?
Thank you.
That’s one of the most interesting questions I’ve got in a while William. The ASI178MC is supposed to come with a 170 degree FOV lens so you should be able to just use it as is no problem. In the configuration it makes a really nice all sky camera. You can adapt Canon and Nikon lenses to it with special adapters sold by most telescope online stores. For a Sony lens, you may need a Canon adapter and then a Canon to Sony, which may make your back focus too long to achieve focus. I don’t use the ASIAIR, but I believe it’s capabilities are geared around planetary and deep sky objects. You may be better off with free all sky camera software. If you need it to be wireless, there are also Raspberry PI applications for all sky cameras that may work out for you better, but good luck finding a PI4 in stock right now. Hope that helps.
@@JoesAstrophoto Yes indeed thank you. The ZWO ASIair is suppose to allow me to go with wifi direct to my SHD all in one computer for turn on and off capability. This will be placed at a fixed position on order to capture a wide field of view supposingly. I only mentioned Sony, because like Cannon they have some of the best lenses out there.
I'm glad I could help William!
Hello. What camera will be better for Radian Raptor 61. 275mm. 294 or 553 ?
Hi Al, the 533 is a one shot color camera, where as the 294 I reviewed in this video is mono camera. I just wanted to make sure you got that before I gave you an answer as I'm assuming you are talking about the 294MC Pro camera which has a different sensor than the 294MM Pro. If I were choosing between the 294MC and the 533MC, I would probably go with the 533 because it has a smaller pixel size which would be better for the Raptor61's focal length. If you are asking between the 294MM Pro (mono) vs. the 533MC, I would choose the 294MM Pro because in Bin1 mode it has a much better suited pixel size for the Raptor focal length. All cameras are capable of 14bit but the 294MC and MM have larger sensor sizes than the 533 which will affect the field of view, which you may also want to take into consideration.
@@JoesAstrophoto Thank you for your suggestion. I want something similar to crop sensor. It will be my first Astrophotography camera after DSLR. I have Canon 80D not modified but I am looking for some upgrade. 553 has zero glow and good price. Thanks again. I am subscribed for your channel.
Did you have any problems with calibrating the background? I am considering this camera but I have seen some complaints on cloudy nights.
Thanks for commenting Michal, not sure if you mean the calibration frames or calibrating the background in post processing. The calibration frames were normal, I didn't do bias, just darks, flats, and dark flats. I also didn't have a any issues with background calibration using PixInsight in post processing.
@@JoesAstrophoto Not sure why but my comment with link was delated twice. I was referring to issue mentioned in cloudy nights post that you can find by googling "Yes another 294 calibration thread"
@@micham.9057 Thanks Michal I’ll check it out and see if I can test as well. This happens to a lot of my comments for some reason and I don’t know why, but thanks for trying. I’ll find it on Cloudy Nights.
@@micham.9057 I read the thread and it seems as though this pertaining to the 294MC Pro, the color camera. It's important to note and I'll add this to the Part 2 video that the 294MC Pro uses the IMX294 sensor while the 294MM Pro (mono version) uses the IMX492 sensor. Now it's entirely possible that the IMX492 sensor may have a similar issue, but I haven't noticed it yet. I'll continue to test and report my findings. Hope this helps!
@@JoesAstrophoto thanks, I was not aware of that.