Hi everybody, I am currently working on variable star photometry. I would like to replace my old, 16-year-old SBIG ST-402 ST-1603 CCD camera and my Standalone filter wheel of a similar age. I plan to buy a monochrome SBIG STC-428-M Scientific CMOS Camera and a matching filter wheel. The problem is that I don't know CMOS cameras. Can photometric measurements of the same quality and accuracy be performed with these as with CCD cameras? What can you suggest?
We have a version called STC-428-P that is built specifically for photometry, as it includes a filter wheel that accepts standard photometric filters. We have many customers using them and producing excellent data.
Hi Doug, This is a vary important information and even the price of this camera is reasonable. It is especially good that the camera is together with the filter wheel. Thank you Andras
One last question. Can I process images taken with an STC-428-P with the MaxIM DL software in the way as images taken with my old CCD camera? András
Yes, of course. The only difference is that I don't recommend using bias frames / dark frame scaling during calibration. CMOS sensors in general have a tendency to change operating modes with different exposure lengths, so it is best to avoid that practice.
I don't really get this. Are you suggesting I don't use dark frame? I always used at least five dark frames/image. Bias is OK, I don't use it.
No, I'm recommending that you not use bias frames. You need to use dark frames. For flat frames you need matching flat-darks.
Dear Doug, Sorry to give you so much work, I'm a little ashamed but I still have one more question. In the description of the STC-428-P on the website I read that a USB 2.0 could be purchased for the sake of a longer cable length. For my instruments approx. 4-5 meters (approx. 13-16 ft) are required for observation. Will the camera work with such a long cable?
Yes, USB 2.0 cables will work over that distance. It will be a bit slower to download than with a USB 3.0 cable, but will otherwise work just fine.
Doug, As you can see you helped a lot with the choice of camera so I could decide which camera to buy. I will order the STC-428-P camera this week. However, I would like to make my order accurate. I still have four questions that I would like your help with. 1) Am I right that the price of the STC-428-P camera includes the filter wheel? So, I don't need to buy a separate filter wheel, do I? 2) Can I choose an AFW 36MM round filter wheel for the STC-428-P camera? 3) The diameter of the my MEADE telescope focuser’s draw is 2” (50.8 mm). Do I need to buy an adapter to mount the STC-428-P camera? For example “Adapter Plates for Compact Cameras” or something similar. 4. Is my calculation below correct? The total purchase price for the STC-428-P camera with the AFW 36MM round filter wheel is $ 4,499. If I also buy a filter set and plus one filter, the calculation is as follows: STC-428-P camera (AFW 36MM round filter wheel included) $ 4,499 36 mm Round Optical Filters LRGB package $ 477 Clear filter $ 64 Total: $ 5,040 Is my above calculation correct?
Yes, the STC-428-P includes a built-in filter wheel. No, you can't order the STC-428-P with an AFW wheel; instead you would need to purchase the following: STC-428-M $3499 AFW-16-36R $2199 ACC14 small format camera to AFW adapter $199 ACC06 2" nosepiece adapter $129 The STC-428-P comes with a 2" nosepiece. As for the pricing, your options are: STC-428-P = $4,499.00 + shipping or STC-428-M + AFW-16-36R + ACC14 + ACC06 = $6026 + shipping We're getting out of the business of selling filters, so they're all on sale at https://diffractionlimited.com/inventory-clearout/ . For 36 mm filters we have: L $35 R $75 G $75 B $75 Clear $35 Total $295
Well, now I really have all the information. I think I'll stick with the first option, the STC-428-P camera will be suitable with the built-in-filter wheel. And I also buy the LRGBClear filters you suggested. Thank you again
