I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we're looking forward to your journey into the mono world of imaging! You've got the right equipment, now all you need is the right wx! Good luck with that! Keep making these vids, Stace, and we'll keep watching, especially these days. It's how we're trying to keep our sanity! :^)
Be patient! Mono is time consuming. Also check your focus between each filter. Filter may be parfocal with each other but scope can slip over time. For narrowband, consider the band pass carefully. There is 3nm, 5-6nm and 12 nm. Each have their pros and cons. For the best possible images, go with 3nm. But with 3, it can be hard to focus. 12nm you can still focus, but you don’t get as much contrast with the target. 5-6 nm tend to be a good compromise. Use Astronomik. Baader and Chroma are also considered tops in filters.
Welcome to the mad mad world of Mono imaging. A quick tip when you get a filter wheel is to do a limited number of subs in each colour then repeat until you get enough time built up on each filter instead of doing one colour all at once. The reason behind this is that you will get enough hopefully per night to make an image. If there is a prolonged period of "weather" you will have something before it disappears for another year.
After seeing your 3k sub post on twitter I decided to jump on train as well. No experience or recommendation around Monos, but might be that your videos yet to come on this subject will eventually push me towards monos as well. Looking forward to the content :)
Nice one Stacey. I almost went mono but the filter cost and wheel etc pushed my budget too far so got the 183C protec for my first Astrocam . I know I will go mono eventually so will watch your journey and see how you get on. I’d love to see a video on how you combine images using the Triband and L pro max filters with one shot camera, think you mention this on your filter review video. I have the same filters (well the Quadband for me). Keep safe and clear skies
Started with a Zwo 183 mono a few months ago and kinda was in the same mindset of spending one night per image. After the first night shooting narrowband I wasn't really satisfied with what I got and went after the same target for a second night. Turns out the additional 6h of light resulted in the first picture I felt good enough to order as a print. I use a filterwheel for narrowband and am thinking about getting a second one for a set of color filters and a light pollution filter. With the focus offset in APT it's really nice to switch filters and not have to worry about refocussing. Grats on the new gear! Looking forward to seeing what results you get.
You are gonna LOVE mono, have been using Atik 460 mono for almost five years and haven’t looked back. As for the future filterwheel (we both know u are gonna go that route;) )it is a setup and forget kinda thing. U go girl 💪🏻
I'm glad you're going to be buying more filter drawers. That alleviates my one big concern about flats. As with anything, the more you pay for it, the better the results should be, so looking for narrow band filters, the narrower the bandpass, the more true to that frequency (without interference from other frequencies) you'll be. But, that costs money. But, we ARE starting to see narrower filters at a 'value' pricing. Here in the U.S., HighPoint Scientific has ZWO 7nm Ha, SII and OIII 1.25" filters for $129 each, or a set for $369 (which saves you like $21USD.) On the other hand, someone like Astrodon offers both a 5nm and a 3nm filter, the Narrowbands being $380USD per filter for the 5nm and $560 each for the 3nm filters. So, lots of money to spend there. A lot of money to spend on something you're just starting out with. I would go with the ZWO set. Not sure how much in the U.K., but personally, I would go with a ZWO 1.25" 8 position wheel. www.highpointscientific.com/telescope-accessories/astro-photography/filter-wheels/zwo-efw8-eight-position-filter-wheel-for-125-or-31mm-filters-efw8-12531 For $300USD, versus almost $600 for an Atik 8 position wheel, I think this is a great deal. Plus, it will allow you to mount your LRGB and a Narrowband filter set, with an additional position for a clear, H Beta, NII or black filter (for darks). That way, you don't have to mess with installing different filter sets depending on what you want to do. Plus, with Stepper Motor control, you should just be able to select the filter you want, and go right to it. I suspect the Altair 183M has a USB 2.0 port on the back, which means you can plug the filter wheel directly into the camera and only have the USB 3.0 from the 183M to the computer running everything. Looking forward to First Light with the camera.
Thank you for doing these videos! I've learned a lot from them. I subscribed and have been watching because I also use Astro Pixel Processor. I just bought the Zwo ASI183MM and narrowband filters. I'm hoping you do a complete tutorial for narrowband image processing (start to finish) with Astro Pixel Processor to help with understanding the workflow. Color camera data has been pretty easy but narrowband is a bit more challenging. Again, thanks!
There is. It depends on your focal length, camera sensor size and distance between that sensor and your filter. Here's a little online calculator to help you out: astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_filter_size
Great buy Stace. We all know the best thing to do is eventually accumulate both a colour and mono camera ;) I've not done this myself, but I know folks get cool results using mono for detail and signal, and RGB to paint colour over the top :) # dual mono RGB imaging rig :D
Hehe that’s the plan eventually :) I’ve already got the 294 as my colour camera (and at the moment I’ve got the 269 on loan) looking forward to doing a bit of experimenting!
Thanks Steve...we shall see. I might have to go for an observatory too 😅 ah she was just out on her daily walk...I’ll post a pic of her later so everyone can get their Luna fix :)
Sadly my Sulfur filter data was out of focus, and made all the stars very bloated, but I am replacing my custom arduino focuser with a moonlite focuser, so I am very excited for that. No more failed focuses at 4am when I am asleep.
For recommendations I have been using the ZWO Ha Sii and Oiii filters, and you cannot really beat them for the price. I have not experienced any of the halos with the new revision of them, and they wok great. I picked mine up for only $350 off telescopes.net on a sale, and not once have I regretted purchasing them. I also use the ZWO 8 Position filter wheel and have also not regretted it once when using it. It has been a very good filter wheel, switches the filters accurately, and is easy to use.
I've been shooting mono almost the entire time I've been [trying to] do astrophotography. It seems to me that EVERYONE envies the OTHER guy's system. The OSC guys envy the Mono shooters. The mono shooters envy the OSC guys. Only the Camera Manufacturers win. We should face it: we all need [at least] two cameras. And loads of filters. 7 nm filter sets. 3 nm filter sets. LP filters. ALL the filters.
Best to stick with one brand of (parfocal) filters to minimize refocus time with color or NB change offs. Saves a lot of precious time needed for mono-imaging. It's great if all wavelengths match to Luminance focus, to shorten v-curve exposures.
There’s already desiccant in the camera, and as the camera is sealed and assembled in a protective atmosphere you really shouldn’t have to use it. I’ve had my Altair cameras a couple of years now and not had to use it. Basically the spare cartridge is there as a rescue , and Altair should be contacted before you use it (just in case it’s another issue instead) . Don’t want to break the sealing on the camera unless it’s completely necessary :)
@@AstroStace lol I only know this because having just bought my very first DSLR on one of the many (zzzz) tutorials I've watched they mention it. Great work by the way. Can only dream of a set up like yours. Hope the sky's are clear.
Just got the exact same camera, tho unfortunately it was faulty. Altair have been great and organised for pick up of the camera, just waiting for it to come back now. :)
I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we're looking forward to your journey into the mono world of imaging! You've got the right equipment, now all you need is the right wx! Good luck with that! Keep making these vids, Stace, and we'll keep watching, especially these days. It's how we're trying to keep our sanity! :^)
Be patient! Mono is time consuming. Also check your focus between each filter. Filter may be parfocal with each other but scope can slip over time. For narrowband, consider the band pass carefully. There is 3nm, 5-6nm and 12 nm. Each have their pros and cons. For the best possible images, go with 3nm. But with 3, it can be hard to focus. 12nm you can still focus, but you don’t get as much contrast with the target. 5-6 nm tend to be a good compromise. Use Astronomik. Baader and Chroma are also considered tops in filters.
Welcome to the mad mad world of Mono imaging. A quick tip when you get a filter wheel is to do a limited number of subs in each colour then repeat until you get enough time built up on each filter instead of doing one colour all at once. The reason behind this is that you will get enough hopefully per night to make an image. If there is a prolonged period of "weather" you will have something before it disappears for another year.
Congratulations Stace! Thanks for the update!
looking forward to your journey as well, be safe
Awesome work as usual! Keep looking up - Helena :)
Thanks Helena, clear skies to you!
After seeing your 3k sub post on twitter I decided to jump on train as well. No experience or recommendation around Monos, but might be that your videos yet to come on this subject will eventually push me towards monos as well. Looking forward to the content :)
Nice one Stacey! Really happy for you looking forward to your first image with your new camera and filters ,CS and Stay safe.
Thanks Tam! Take care!
Nice one Stacey. I almost went mono but the filter cost and wheel etc pushed my budget too far so got the 183C protec for my first Astrocam . I know I will go mono eventually so will watch your journey and see how you get on. I’d love to see a video on how you combine images using the Triband and L pro max filters with one shot camera, think you mention this on your filter review video. I have the same filters (well the Quadband for me). Keep safe and clear skies
Great stuff. Personally I would capture data with your Colour and add Ha with the mono for detail. Have fun with it :)
👏Nice camera!!!Good luck and clear skies!!🔭🌌😁
Started with a Zwo 183 mono a few months ago and kinda was in the same mindset of spending one night per image. After the first night shooting narrowband I wasn't really satisfied with what I got and went after the same target for a second night. Turns out the additional 6h of light resulted in the first picture I felt good enough to order as a print.
I use a filterwheel for narrowband and am thinking about getting a second one for a set of color filters and a light pollution filter. With the focus offset in APT it's really nice to switch filters and not have to worry about refocussing.
Grats on the new gear! Looking forward to seeing what results you get.
Great stuff Stace
You are gonna LOVE mono, have been using Atik 460 mono for almost five years and haven’t looked back.
As for the future filterwheel (we both know u are gonna go that route;) )it is a setup and forget kinda thing.
U go girl 💪🏻
I'm glad you're going to be buying more filter drawers. That alleviates my one big concern about flats. As with anything, the more you pay for it, the better the results should be, so looking for narrow band filters, the narrower the bandpass, the more true to that frequency (without interference from other frequencies) you'll be. But, that costs money. But, we ARE starting to see narrower filters at a 'value' pricing. Here in the U.S., HighPoint Scientific has ZWO 7nm Ha, SII and OIII 1.25" filters for $129 each, or a set for $369 (which saves you like $21USD.)
On the other hand, someone like Astrodon offers both a 5nm and a 3nm filter, the Narrowbands being $380USD per filter for the 5nm and $560 each for the 3nm filters. So, lots of money to spend there. A lot of money to spend on something you're just starting out with. I would go with the ZWO set.
Not sure how much in the U.K., but personally, I would go with a ZWO 1.25" 8 position wheel.
www.highpointscientific.com/telescope-accessories/astro-photography/filter-wheels/zwo-efw8-eight-position-filter-wheel-for-125-or-31mm-filters-efw8-12531
For $300USD, versus almost $600 for an Atik 8 position wheel, I think this is a great deal. Plus, it will allow you to mount your LRGB and a Narrowband filter set, with an additional position for a clear, H Beta, NII or black filter (for darks). That way, you don't have to mess with installing different filter sets depending on what you want to do. Plus, with Stepper Motor control, you should just be able to select the filter you want, and go right to it. I suspect the Altair 183M has a USB 2.0 port on the back, which means you can plug the filter wheel directly into the camera and only have the USB 3.0 from the 183M to the computer running everything.
Looking forward to First Light with the camera.
Thank you for doing these videos! I've learned a lot from them. I subscribed and have been watching because I also use Astro Pixel Processor. I just bought the Zwo ASI183MM and narrowband filters. I'm hoping you do a complete tutorial for narrowband image processing (start to finish) with Astro Pixel Processor to help with understanding the workflow. Color camera data has been pretty easy but narrowband is a bit more challenging. Again, thanks!
Is there a formula for figuring out if a 1.25" filter will work with your scope vs needing the far more expensive 2"?
There is. It depends on your focal length, camera sensor size and distance between that sensor and your filter. Here's a little online calculator to help you out: astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_filter_size
@@OutGettingSubs Thanks!
Ahhh so you’re to blame for this bad weather! 😉 looking forward to seeing how you get on with your mono journey 🙂
Haha yes, guilty!
Awesome video Stacey! I think you will love mono!
Thanks Dustin! Let’s hope so haha!
Great buy Stace. We all know the best thing to do is eventually accumulate both a colour and mono camera ;) I've not done this myself, but I know folks get cool results using mono for detail and signal, and RGB to paint colour over the top :) # dual mono RGB imaging rig :D
Hehe that’s the plan eventually :) I’ve already got the 294 as my colour camera (and at the moment I’ve got the 269 on loan) looking forward to doing a bit of experimenting!
ohh some nice gear there, look forward to seeing the results you get, stay safe :)
Oooo your brave in this country of cloud. Good luck and hopefully lots of clear sky. Take care, stay safe and have fun. Where is ”rover”??
Thanks Steve...we shall see. I might have to go for an observatory too 😅 ah she was just out on her daily walk...I’ll post a pic of her later so everyone can get their Luna fix :)
I just bought the QHY183M a few weeks ago, and it came in this past week, I love it. First image was the Cygnus Wall, and I am very impressed with it.
Sadly my Sulfur filter data was out of focus, and made all the stars very bloated, but I am replacing my custom arduino focuser with a moonlite focuser, so I am very excited for that. No more failed focuses at 4am when I am asleep.
For recommendations I have been using the ZWO Ha Sii and Oiii filters, and you cannot really beat them for the price. I have not experienced any of the halos with the new revision of them, and they wok great. I picked mine up for only $350 off telescopes.net on a sale, and not once have I regretted purchasing them. I also use the ZWO 8 Position filter wheel and have also not regretted it once when using it. It has been a very good filter wheel, switches the filters accurately, and is easy to use.
Good luck with mono, it can be time consuming but the results are worth it. It's nice to know I'm not entirely responsible for the clouds.
Haha yes, guilty here too. I’m hoping mono can get me to slow down and take more time :)
@@AstroStace I know what you mean, forcing myself to slow down and take it one target at a time has given me a whole new appreciation for this hobby.
I've been shooting mono almost the entire time I've been [trying to] do astrophotography. It seems to me that EVERYONE envies the OTHER guy's system. The OSC guys envy the Mono shooters. The mono shooters envy the OSC guys. Only the Camera Manufacturers win. We should face it: we all need [at least] two cameras. And loads of filters. 7 nm filter sets. 3 nm filter sets. LP filters. ALL the filters.
So *you* are to blame for the weather I've been getting >:[
Jokes aside, I look forward to your mono imaging journey!
Best to stick with one brand of (parfocal) filters to minimize refocus time with color or NB change offs. Saves a lot of precious time needed for mono-imaging. It's great if all wavelengths match to Luminance focus, to shorten v-curve exposures.
Mono is great! Im so so happy for you🖖🔭🥃🎉🚀
Thank you!!! We’ll see how it goes, hopefully the weather is kind to me :)
Saving for a mono camera at the moment, hopefully by late summer I’ll be imaging with it.
Didn't you recently buy the 269c?Jesus I'm still stuck with my DSLR :\
No, I have the 269 on loan :)
I’ve been buying as well as changed my telescope and stupidly gave the person all the bits with the old one
Uh oh!!!
AstroStace oh and always love your video .. I can actually follow them which is amazing as my brain doesn’t work right
Did you contact Altair regarding the dessicant? What did they say? I'm curious because I wasn't aware that use of it is discouraged - why? Thanks.
There’s already desiccant in the camera, and as the camera is sealed and assembled in a protective atmosphere you really shouldn’t have to use it. I’ve had my Altair cameras a couple of years now and not had to use it. Basically the spare cartridge is there as a rescue , and Altair should be contacted before you use it (just in case it’s another issue instead) . Don’t want to break the sealing on the camera unless it’s completely necessary :)
I take it the noise was the auto focus
Yes, sorry! Still ironing that out
@@AstroStace lol I only know this because having just bought my very first DSLR on one of the many (zzzz) tutorials I've watched they mention it.
Great work by the way. Can only dream of a set up like yours. Hope the sky's are clear.
Just got the exact same camera, tho unfortunately it was faulty. Altair have been great and organised for pick up of the camera, just waiting for it to come back now. :)
No dog what has this world come to.
She was just out for her daily walk! 🤣