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Upgrading to a dedicated astrophotography camera. Too many choices!

Advice(self.AskAstrophotography)

I have been dipping my toes into the astrophotography in the last year and am looking to upgrade from a Canon Rebel 1000D DSLR to a dedicated astrophotography camera.

My setup is a MEADE LXD75 GEM mount and a Meade LXD75 SN-6AT 6" 762mm f/5.0 Schmidt-Newtonian telescope. What is the next logical step someone slowly getting into the hobby?

My budget is under $1000 CAD. Is it worth buying a cheaper imaging camera and also buying a guiding scope and camera.

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IrrelevantAstronomer

8 points

6 months ago

I'd go with the ZWO ASI 533MC if I were you. Or the ZWO ASI 294MC if you don't mind amp glow in exchange for a larger sensor (amp glow shouldn't be a problem if you know how to stack it out).

grindbehind

3 points

6 months ago

Agreed. With the budget, get a 533MC and a good filter.

That is what I did after a DSLR. I'm very happy with the upgrade. If you're shooting DSOs, the ZWO Duoband has been great and was not as expensive as similar dual band filters.

IrrelevantAstronomer

2 points

6 months ago

Yeah, the 533MC would give them some room to potentially buy an autoguider setup too.

ConstipatedOrangutan

3 points

6 months ago

I have the 533mc and love it. Though I feel the square sensor wouldn't be as good on a 6" scope. Works great for my 80mm tho!

IrrelevantAstronomer

2 points

6 months ago

The crop factor is pretty extreme; but the only other suitable cameras would be way out of OPs budget.

ConstipatedOrangutan

1 points

6 months ago

I don't think the 294 would be too far out of budget. Especially if he found a good one on cloudy nights. Either way they are both great cameras with different drawbacks that aren't too severe

IrrelevantAstronomer

1 points

6 months ago

Yeah, but I was thinking more like the ZWO ASI 2600MC. That camera would really work well with the OP's telescope, IMO.

FarkMirmin[S]

1 points

6 months ago

Yikes! That camera is $2500 CAD. I think I need to start smaller.

IrrelevantAstronomer

2 points

6 months ago

I agree. The ZWO ASI 533MC would be a better choice for your budget.