Hi Stace: a huge congratulations on being nominated to the Royal Astronomical Society! I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Your enthusiasm for teaching Astrophotography and your amazing personality certainly shine through! Looking forward to many more videos! Hey, where is Luna??? Was she hiding from the near extinction level events (storms) or is she jealous of your Royal Astronomical Society nomination...lol
Thanks Gregory! Much appreciated!! I’ve just posted a couple of pupdates on where Luna was on my community feed :) she was causing chaos and then snoozing as per usual 😅
Well deserved FRAS. How do you think the 269 compares with the 294, have you noticed any difference in image quality, other than the starburst with the 294?
Hi Stace, just purchased the 269c from Altair this week, great video thanks and at the end you have mentioned flats hopefully that is now up and running will take a look. In the meantime I tried doing flats after my first go with the camera but could not find the exposure using the wizard. Capture software I tried was SG Pro and NINA. Question what is my target ADU with this camera. Thanks and congrats on the RAS fellow nomination well deserved. Mick
As always fantastic video ,and Huge Congratulations on your nomination, hard work always pays , always keeping us (rookies) up to date , i did send for a camera ,still waiting for it to arrive ,but i heard you talking about "darks" and you lost me there ,can you explain in detail , and i also wanted to ask you ,do you use photoshop? i don't have it but is it necessary ? thank you again and keep up the amazing work you do with us (the noobies)
Hi Stace, interestingly I think this could be a larger sensor than M43 if your stated dimensons are correct? M43 comprises of a 17.3mm by 13mm imaging array, so 20.4 x 17? is fairly close to APs-C size. Any idea what's going on because your dimensions fall between the two sensor sizes. p,s, congrats on the FRAS :) My wife works for the RAS.
Great review and FRAS too! Now you’ve had this for a while have you shifted your view on good settings in the light of experience and sensor analysis? I’ve just got mine and am looking for good settings for nebulas with the Quadband in line. Sharpcap analysis today....
Congratulations on the FRAS. Great video. I am looking at cameras at the moment. Is it worth all the hassle of mono with filters and long capture sessions or to just have a colour camera like the 269?
I've had my 269C for nearly a year now & after a few hiccups to begin with I blooming love this camera, the only issue is it doesn't like NINA & I generally have to take a 10 to 20 second sub first to wake the camera up so to speak. Other than that its performed very well & I'd definitely recommend one.
Hey, Congrats on the election to the World Astronomical Society. That's downright cool. I have a question, though. Altair, QHY and ZWO all seem to have the same cameras, but neither QHY or ZWO have come out with a new 269 based camera yet. Do you know if all three of those brands actually use the same manufacturer, probably somewhere in China, to make their cameras? Price on that camera here in the U.S. is like $1,500, but I don't think it's a bad choice, actually. Anyway, thanks for the video.
Hi Gary! Thanks on the congrats! Yeah I don’t think Altair use the same manufacturers as the other two guys (if they use the same manufacturer at all). Yeah the 269 is a really nice sensor, I’m surprised the other two haven’t put it in a camera really!
Hi Stacey, Just found your channel while looking for advice on a dedicated astro camera. I have an Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo 180mm Mak-Cass Telescope, 2,700mm focal length (f/15). I’ve read that this isn’t a good scope for deep sky astrophotography, however, I can’t afford both a decent camera and a new scope at the moment. Do you think the Altair Hypercam 269C Colour Camera would still be a good camera for my telescope for some astrophotography and then can use it on a more suitable scope, once I can afford one? Thanks in advance and I love you channel.
Thanks for the fantastic video - im looking for cameras at the min - this could be the one! great review - keep up the great videos and all the hard work!
I just got my new Altair Astro 269 in the mail today. Got it hooked up and software loaded really easy. ASCOM and APT picked it up just fine, unlike my QHY cameras. It seemed to take a long time to cool down from about 27C but I just changed my cooling steps to zero and let the camera driver handle it. Do you recommend letting the driver handle it? Seems like it wouldn't do anything to hurt the camera. Also, what gain and black settings do you recommend?
Great video as usual Stacy. I really like the look of this camera however as I am a ASIAir user I cant use it. Maybe ZWO will bring a camera out with this sensor.
Stace, congratulations on your nomination! I have on order a ZWO ASI6200 and also thinking of placing an order for the ASI2600, can you give me your opinion on those based on the publish data?
Thanks Fred! I’ll have to have a read up on theses cameras :) it also depends on what scope(s) you want to use them on. I wouldn’t want to give you duff info :)
I use the Altair 294 usually. So with the 269 you get a higher megapixel sensor but with a very similar sensor size. The pixels are smaller as well. So with shorter focal lengths the 269 would give you slightly better resolution. There’s also the fact that the 294 sensors do exhibit sensor glows which require darks , the 269 doesn’t
@@AstroStace I'm also looking for a astro cam. Sadly I did not found any information about the quantum efficiency of the IMX 269 sensor or any info about the sensitivity between 294 and 269) The IMX 294 is a very good one. But in my setup I would run slightly into undersampling. The pixel scale of the 269 would be better for my setup. But the high QE from the 294 is very nice. Difficult decision …
Which one to buy, i have a 102/660 refractor and a 130/650 newton. i'm still not shure or the imx183MC or the IMX294C or the IMX533C or the IMX269C. I would like to image with short exposure 30-60 sec subs. Which one should i chose ?
Hi Stace ive got a similar setup to you i have the altair 102 ed-r whats been your favourite camera from all the cameras you have used with your 102 ascent , im about to buy a new altair camera and would be interested to know what your suggestions are
Hi Stace, i need help, I purchased the Altair 72EDF and the 269C Camera. I also have the 0.8x Reducer. now i need to get the optics train hooked up. well to be honest I did get it hooked up but i had the Reducer right at the Camera mating face. and i think you have yours at the focuser (which i assume makes a difference) with some spacer in between, ? - can you advise me what spacer you have between the camera and the Reducer. many thanks when you get a minute.
Hi Gary! You need 55mm from the reducer to the sensor . The sensor in the pro Tec line of cams is set back 17.5mm so basically the math is 55-17.5 ....so you need 37.5mm of spacers or other stuff between the camera and the reducer :) hope this helps!
@@AstroStace Hi Stace, that certainly confirmed my understanding to date, I do have an additional Adaptor from Altair that attaches to the Reducer, taking the M55 Male thread on the Reducer to the more standard M42 (T2) Male thread, would i be right in thinking I have to also take that into account (it measure 7.64mm on the vernier) , thus i now have 55 - 17.5 - 7.64 = 29.86 ? .. and yes, your Videos help me a lot, keep it up and congratulations on the nomination :)
Gary Powers that’s interesting! Which 0.8 reducer do you have? I use the lightwave 0.8 and it has a t2 thread. Yes you would have to take that into account too :) it should tell you on the Altair page for the adapter how much it takes up
@@AstroStace the x0.8 Reducer/Flattener from Altair had the adaptor attached, maybe that is included in the 55 mm (?) ( Altair product Code : LW-0.8xRED ) www.altairastro.com/lightwave-08x-reducer-290-p.asp
Hi Stace: a huge congratulations on being nominated to the Royal Astronomical Society! I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Your enthusiasm for teaching Astrophotography and your amazing personality certainly shine through! Looking forward to many more videos! Hey, where is Luna??? Was she hiding from the near extinction level events (storms) or is she jealous of your Royal Astronomical Society nomination...lol
Thanks Gregory! Much appreciated!! I’ve just posted a couple of pupdates on where Luna was on my community feed :) she was causing chaos and then snoozing as per usual 😅
Brilliant pictures you've captured. Deserved news of the Astronomical society membership. Well done.
Thank you Melvin! 😀
Well deserved FRAS.
How do you think the 269 compares with the 294, have you noticed any difference in image quality, other than the starburst with the 294?
Nice video review AstroStace ! I am curious how this camera performs compared with Zwo294MC.
Stacy, another great video and massive congratulation on the FRAS nomination. Well done and well deserved.
Thanks so much Colin!
Great video. My 269 arrived today so now learning how to use it. Congratulations on the FRS.
Congratulations. That's great news for the RAS! Looks like a great camera too.
Thank you! Yeah it’s pretty good!
Adding my congratulations to everyone else's! Wonderful achievement and much deserved! As for the camera; lovely but a bit expensive for me!
Hi Stace, just purchased the 269c from Altair this week, great video thanks and at the end you have mentioned flats hopefully that is now up and running will take a look. In the meantime I tried doing flats after my first go with the camera but could not find the exposure using the wizard. Capture software I tried was SG Pro and NINA. Question what is my target ADU with this camera. Thanks and congrats on the RAS fellow nomination well deserved. Mick
As always fantastic video ,and Huge Congratulations on your nomination, hard work always pays , always keeping us (rookies) up to date , i did send for a camera ,still waiting for it to arrive ,but i heard you talking about "darks" and you lost me there ,can you explain in detail , and i also wanted to ask you ,do you use photoshop? i don't have it but is it necessary ? thank you again and keep up the amazing work you do with us (the noobies)
Congrats on the RAS fellowship ! Contemplating moving from DSLR to a dedicated cam. Would this 269 be a good place to start ? Thanks
Congrats Stace... FRAS!
Hi Stace, interestingly I think this could be a larger sensor than M43 if your stated dimensons are correct? M43 comprises of a 17.3mm by 13mm imaging array, so 20.4 x 17? is fairly close to APs-C size. Any idea what's going on because your dimensions fall between the two sensor sizes. p,s, congrats on the FRAS :) My wife works for the RAS.
DIY Astro I’m just going on the fact that Altair describe it as m4/3 :) it’s ever so slightly larger than the 294. It’s a pretty hefty sensor!
@@AstroStace Ah right, I'm guessing they felt it to be safer to round it down, but yeah it's not far off Canon APs-c so happy days :)
Also thanks for the good wishes about the RAS! I’m well chuffed! Honoured to join the club so to speak too :)
Great review and FRAS too! Now you’ve had this for a while have you shifted your view on good settings in the light of experience and sensor analysis? I’ve just got mine and am looking for good settings for nebulas with the Quadband in line. Sharpcap analysis today....
Congratulations on the FRAS. Great video. I am looking at cameras at the moment. Is it worth all the hassle of mono with filters and long capture sessions or to just have a colour camera like the 269?
I've had my 269C for nearly a year now & after a few hiccups to begin with I blooming love this camera, the only issue is it doesn't like NINA & I generally have to take a 10 to 20 second sub first to wake the camera up so to speak. Other than that its performed very well & I'd definitely recommend one.
Hey, Congrats on the election to the World Astronomical Society. That's downright cool.
I have a question, though. Altair, QHY and ZWO all seem to have the same cameras, but neither QHY or ZWO have come out with a new 269 based camera yet. Do you know if all three of those brands actually use the same manufacturer, probably somewhere in China, to make their cameras?
Price on that camera here in the U.S. is like $1,500, but I don't think it's a bad choice, actually.
Anyway, thanks for the video.
Hi Gary! Thanks on the congrats! Yeah I don’t think Altair use the same manufacturers as the other two guys (if they use the same manufacturer at all). Yeah the 269 is a really nice sensor, I’m surprised the other two haven’t put it in a camera really!
Hi Stacey,
Just found your channel while looking for advice on a dedicated astro camera. I have an Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo 180mm Mak-Cass Telescope, 2,700mm focal length (f/15). I’ve read that this isn’t a good scope for deep sky astrophotography, however, I can’t afford both a decent camera and a new scope at the moment. Do you think the Altair Hypercam 269C Colour Camera would still be a good camera for my telescope for some astrophotography and then can use it on a more suitable scope, once I can afford one? Thanks in advance and I love you channel.
Great review Stace, nice level of detail! I’m hoping to invest in a dedicated astro camera later this year, this video will certainly help!
Thanks a lot! Let me know if i can help at all!
AstroStace will do!
Thanks for the fantastic video - im looking for cameras at the min - this could be the one! great review - keep up the great videos and all the hard work!
Glad it was helpful!
I just got my new Altair Astro 269 in the mail today. Got it hooked up and software loaded really easy. ASCOM and APT picked it up just fine, unlike my QHY cameras. It seemed to take a long time to cool down from about 27C but I just changed my cooling steps to zero and let the camera driver handle it. Do you recommend letting the driver handle it? Seems like it wouldn't do anything to hurt the camera. Also, what gain and black settings do you recommend?
Great video as usual Stacy. I really like the look of this camera however as I am a ASIAir user I cant use it. Maybe ZWO will bring a camera out with this sensor.
Thanks Gary! yeah you can bet they have probably got their eye on it now haha!
Thanks for the video, is this something that you could also do for a DSLR? Or not needed? I’ll try it on my ZWO
Stace, congratulations on your nomination! I have on order a ZWO ASI6200 and also thinking of placing an order for the ASI2600, can you give me your opinion on those based on the publish data?
Thanks Fred! I’ll have to have a read up on theses cameras :) it also depends on what scope(s) you want to use them on. I wouldn’t want to give you duff info :)
I wonder how this compares to Zwo asi 294MC pro... I plan to buy an astro cam next month any thoughts?
I use the Altair 294 usually. So with the 269 you get a higher megapixel sensor but with a very similar sensor size. The pixels are smaller as well. So with shorter focal lengths the 269 would give you slightly better resolution. There’s also the fact that the 294 sensors do exhibit sensor glows which require darks , the 269 doesn’t
@@AstroStace I'm also looking for a astro cam.
Sadly I did not found any information about the quantum efficiency of the IMX 269 sensor or any info about the sensitivity between 294 and 269)
The IMX 294 is a very good one. But in my setup I would run slightly into undersampling.
The pixel scale of the 269 would be better for my setup. But the high QE from the 294 is very nice. Difficult decision …
Congratulations you deserve it.
Which one to buy, i have a 102/660 refractor and a 130/650 newton. i'm still not shure or the imx183MC or the IMX294C or the IMX533C or the IMX269C. I would like to image with short exposure 30-60 sec subs. Which one should i chose ?
Hi Stace ive got a similar setup to you i have the altair 102 ed-r whats been your favourite camera from all the cameras you have used with your 102 ascent , im about to buy a new altair camera and would be interested to know what your suggestions are
Great video Stacey
Congrats on the Royal Society thing - a big deal! Must we call you Dame or Lady now? We don't have such titles in the USA.
Haha thank you 😊 ah nooo, I am still just me! Becoming a fellow of the RAS has been a massive goal of mine for a long time !
And well deserved. Again bully for you! :).
In case you missed it, it's about $1,080.00 USD.
Hi Stacey you mentioned that you do dithering is that with PHD2 or sharpcap or both
I dither using phd2 in combination with Astrophotography tool :)
AstroStace thanks I don’t have Astro photography tool can you use it with sharpcap
I don’t use sharpcap for imaging (apart from lunar) . I use astrophotography tool to control my mount, camera, focuser everything
Nice review!
FRAS! Wow, well done.
Thanks! 😀
does the sharpcap pro license expiire?
12 months I believe, it costs £10 to renew per year :) not too pricey
Hi Stace, i need help, I purchased the Altair 72EDF and the 269C Camera. I also have the 0.8x Reducer. now i need to get the optics train hooked up. well to be honest I did get it hooked up but i had the Reducer right at the Camera mating face. and i think you have yours at the focuser (which i assume makes a difference) with some spacer in between, ? - can you advise me what spacer you have between the camera and the Reducer. many thanks when you get a minute.
Hi Gary! You need 55mm from the reducer to the sensor . The sensor in the pro Tec line of cams is set back 17.5mm so basically the math is 55-17.5 ....so you need 37.5mm of spacers or other stuff between the camera and the reducer :) hope this helps!
@@AstroStace Hi Stace, that certainly confirmed my understanding to date, I do have an additional Adaptor from Altair that attaches to the Reducer, taking the M55 Male thread on the Reducer to the more standard M42 (T2) Male thread, would i be right in thinking I have to also take that into account (it measure 7.64mm on the vernier) , thus i now have 55 - 17.5 - 7.64 = 29.86 ? .. and yes, your Videos help me a lot, keep it up and congratulations on the nomination :)
Gary Powers that’s interesting! Which 0.8 reducer do you have? I use the lightwave 0.8 and it has a t2 thread. Yes you would have to take that into account too :) it should tell you on the Altair page for the adapter how much it takes up
@@AstroStace the x0.8 Reducer/Flattener from Altair had the adaptor attached, maybe that is included in the 55 mm (?) ( Altair product Code : LW-0.8xRED ) www.altairastro.com/lightwave-08x-reducer-290-p.asp
I'll have a chat with Altair to confirm whether the Adaptor is already included in the 55mm requirement, thanks again for taking the time to help.