Could someone tell me which is better for photographing deep sky objects or moon and planets, a camera such as the Meade LPI or a good slr film camera such as a Nikon?
Which camera?
Started by kvartist, 03/30/2006 08:24PM
Posted 03/30/2006 08:24PM
Opening Post
Posted 03/30/2006 08:47PM
#1
Could someone tell me which is better for photographing deep sky objects or moon and planets, a camera such as the Meade LPI or a good slr film camera such as a Nikon?
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The Meade LPI is a "lunar planetary" camera and allows the stacking of many images via computer. For the moon and planets, this would be your best bet.
For deep sky objects, the LPI is very limited, it is not designed for long exposures so the film camera would be your best choice. Many fine images have been produced with film but there is a steep learning curve, the cost of film and developing it is significant and it takes a solid equatorial mount and probably a guide scope.
Other options are simple deep sky cameras like the new Orion cooled camera or the Meade DSI.
Imaging deep space targets requires longer exposures, normally several seconds. With a normal electronic camera, electronic noise is a serious issue and gets in the way. Dedicated Astrophotography cameras cooled the CCD sensor to reduce the noise.
What scope and mount do you have?
Jon
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The Meade LPI is a "lunar planetary" camera and allows the stacking of many images via computer. For the moon and planets, this would be your best bet.
For deep sky objects, the LPI is very limited, it is not designed for long exposures so the film camera would be your best choice. Many fine images have been produced with film but there is a steep learning curve, the cost of film and developing it is significant and it takes a solid equatorial mount and probably a guide scope.
Other options are simple deep sky cameras like the new Orion cooled camera or the Meade DSI.
Imaging deep space targets requires longer exposures, normally several seconds. With a normal electronic camera, electronic noise is a serious issue and gets in the way. Dedicated Astrophotography cameras cooled the CCD sensor to reduce the noise.
What scope and mount do you have?
Jon
Posted 03/30/2006 08:58PM
#2
Richard Galeski said:
Could someone tell me which is better for photographing deep sky objects or moon and planets, a camera such as the Meade LPI or a good slr film camera such as a Nikon?
Neither?
Film cameras are being used less often because the DSLRs don't suffer from reciprocity failure.
And with a digital camera, you get instant feedback so you can decide if you want to take another shot.
The LPI is geared for the Moon and Planets. It'll get brighter DSO, but odds are you won't be happy with the results.
To do it right, you need to think in terms of a camera for the Moon and Planets, and a different camera for DSO.
Meade does make a camera intended for DSO - the Deep Sky Imager.
It's probably less expensive to start with shooting planets. The cameras aren't as expensive, and the shorter exposures mean you can get by with just about any mount that's good enough for visual use.
In any case, I encourage you to scour this site, and the web to find out what other people are using, and what they think of it, and what kind of results they get. You'll notice most folks who are into imaging dso have relatively massive mounts for the size scopes they're using.
You might also ask around at your local astronomical society to see if any of their members do imaging, and ask if you can tag along some night when they're shooting.
The time you spend researching before you buy will make it easier and ultimately less expensive for you to end up with a setup you'll enjoy.
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