Camera recommendations?

[Solar Seeker 52]

Hey guys

I am looking for a solar camera for my solarmax iii

Will this one work? Any suggestions?

ZWO ASI1600MM Pro 16 MP CMOS Monochrome Astronomy Camera with USB 3.0 # ASI1600MM-P

Jason

[DeepSolar64]

I’ll leave this one to those more knowledgeable than I am.

[JochenM]

Hi Jason

It depends a bit on what you're looking to do. Are you mostly interested in imaging the sun in its totality (meaning, a full disk in one shot) or doing more higher res imaging (individual proms, active regions etc)?

The ASI1600MM will be just fine for the first purpose; not so much for the latter.

[Alto]

Have you looked here? https://astronomy.tools/

FOV & Calculators.

[Solar Seeker 52]

Hi Jason

It depends a bit on what you're looking to do. Are you mostly interested in imaging the sun in its totality (meaning, a full disk in one shot) or doing more higher res imaging (individual proms, active regions etc)?

The ASI1600MM will be just fine for the first purpose; not so much for the latter.

Hi JochenM,

I was wanting to get both 100 percent of the sun and individual regions of interest. I am very green when it comes to cameras. I have a laptop with windows 10 installed. I also have the solarmax iii. Is it just as simple to attach the camera and view via my computer? Can you zoom in on area's of interest? I would like a good camera that will create sharp picture shots and maybe movies. What is the advantage of a more expensive camera? I don't need a ton of features just something that will take very good pics. Monochrome better then color? Sorry for all of the questions. I love to learn!

Solar Seeker 52

[marktownley]

Which SMiii are you using Jason?

[JochenM]

No worries, Jason. We all started out at some point; ask away!

As Mark already mentioned, it would be important to know which SMIII you're using exactly. Is it the 70mm or 90mm (big difference in focal length between the two)?

Most of us indeed use monochrome cameras because of the higher sensitivity (light directly going to the sensor vs being split up into Red/Green/Blue in a colour camera).

Have a look at the links below. It's documentation/videos made by two members here on SolarChat which basically covers the entire process and should give you a good idea of how it all works:

https://solarnutcase.livejournal.com/18572.html
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9I3W ... Mm4zcgAzDg

[rsfoto]

... good camera that will create sharp picture shots ...

You already got a lot of information but I have to disappoint you in regard to above statement ...

Not a single camera on this planet Earth will deliver you sharp pictures ...

It is YOU who has to take care that the camera delivers sharp pictures and getting sharpness of the Sun surface or limb is a matter of patience and a lot of practice.

I bet all of us Solar imagers have developed over time our workflow in order to focus the Sun details. You will be surprised how the focus changes all the time in cycles having waves of un-sharpness and sharpness ...

Sometimes it take me more time to get focus then acquiring the short silly video ...

You must learn to be patient when it gets to focus on the Sun.

Just a well meant advice in order you do not throw everything into the corner after the first trial ...