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MaxIm DL?

Started by fblue, 08/23/2007 07:45PM
Posted 08/23/2007 07:45PM Opening Post
I am looking at replacing my imaging software for acquiring images for use with my DSI II Color camera. The Meade software is OK, but I think you can do much better.
How many people here use MaxIm DL for their imaging?
How do you like it?
If you use another program, what is it? How do you like it and why?
Thanks!

[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue grin
Amateur Imager
Posted 08/23/2007 08:10PM #1
Hi Floyd,
I use AstroArt (still version 3, haven't sprung for the upgrade). I initially chose it over Maxim due to the price difference between the two. And I am very, very happy with it (better than the SX software and from what little I've tried the Meade software, much, much easier.) It's also a great processing and postprocessing tool. For postprocessing I have gravitated to PixInsight (it's free, so far), but AstroArt is really worth every penny. Outside of no "curves" which I do find essential, it's very much a do-it-all application. Can't compare it to Maxim as I've never tried it.
Larry
Posted 08/23/2007 08:23PM #2
Once you use Maxim DL you won't go back to any other.

Rolando
Posted 08/23/2007 09:25PM | Edited 08/23/2007 09:26PM #3
Great piece of software... get it if you can afford it...
I'll have to rely on other software since I cannot (for now)... 8)

Ivan Gastaldo 8)
Coconut Creek, FL

Ivan's Observatory
Lat 26N 16' 48" Long 80W 10' 48"
[COLOR="Red"]Personal Website:[/COLOR] http://www.ivangastaldo.com

CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky - Moderator
I like to complain about everything - Moderator
Posted 08/23/2007 09:40PM | Edited 08/23/2007 09:43PM #4
Get Maxim. IMHO it's the best for camera control. I used to use it for some processing as well but not much anymore.

Tom

Starsearch Observatory
Lat 42N 47' 00" Long 112W 10' 47"
Elev 1752m
www.tvdavisastropics.com
Posted 08/23/2007 09:47PM #5
Ditto here too, I use Maxim and haven't looked back.

Paul

Paul Maxson
Moderator - CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System
Celestron C14, Mewlon 250, Orion EON120, ASI120MM, Flea3.
http://www.sunspot51.com
Posted 08/23/2007 10:01PM #6
Floyd,

If you are looking for straight up camera control, look at Nebulosity.

It is easy to use, and cheap.

www dot stark-labs dot com

Keith

[COLOR="Navy"]“Heaven wheels above you, displaying to you her eternal glories, and still your eyes are on the ground” --Dante[/COLOR]
Posted 08/23/2007 10:22PM #7
Thanks all for the great input.
I have downloaded the 30 day trial and will give it a go as soon as possible. It seems to be a top notch software. I must admit that I was impress with what it can do with existing exposures. It made a nice photo out of just 45 seconds of exposure. This photo was just the RGBL combined by Maxim DL and is just one 45 second sub of each. No processing was done to it at all except for combine, align by Maxim. Very good for 45 seconds of exposure I thought. I have not seen any other software get this much from so little! 8O

I have tried the Nebulosity, but did not have great luck with the color adjustments with it. It seemed to lack in depth compared to Envisage, which was surprising to me. It has other features that I did like a lot though. So, I will evaluate it with the MaxIm DL and the Envisage and see what works best for me.

I have not tried Astroart, so no idea of how it compares. I imagine they also have a trial software package, I will look into that.

Being a computer tech, I appreciate that the software is often the most important part of a hardware package. It can make or break it. So, I think that even a less expensive camera would benefit from a better imaging package. smile

Attached Image:

fblue's attachment for post 116366

[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue grin
Amateur Imager
Posted 08/24/2007 12:43AM #8
Floyd,

Try Maxium-DL/CCD for its ability to control your hardware. Image processing... Look at CCDStack