Newbie astrophotographer here! Just purchased an ASI585MC and decided to check it out on a terrestrial target in preparation for first light under a dark sky. Below are two color images using ASICAP version 2.6.3; one using an ASI120MC-S and the other using the new ASI585MC. Cameras were swapped using the same scope, same cable and same USB 3.0 interface. There appears to be a notable difference in the color being shown by the camera. The ASI585MC image does not seem to be either capturing or displaying color correctly. I tried adjusting the display settings in ASICAP, but nothing there gets the image anywhere close to the true colors shown on the ASI120MC-S. I've tried the same on several different terrestrial targets with the same results. Is this normal for the ASI585MC?

  • w7ay replied to this.

    dfscott Is this normal for the ASI585MC?

    Yes, it is.

    Your second image (with the magenta hue) shows very strong IR contamination.

    To get natural looking colors, you need to add an IR-Cut filter with the ASI585.

    Chen

      This is likely a white balance issue. I think I have it figured out now 😀

      ASI585MC has an AR protective window and ASI120MC-S is IR cut window, the latter will be closer to what the human eye sees

      3 months later

      How can I add an IR-cut filter to my ASI585MC? I am guessing I would use the 1.25" nose piece and buy the #IRCUT1? My current setup uses all M42 extension rings on a Celestron C6 SCT and I do not presently use that 1.25" nose piece. Just making sure I understand before I make the purchase. Thanks!!
      Bob

      • w7ay replied to this.

        GoKidd How can I add an IR-cut filter to my ASI585MC?

        This is one way to insert a 1.25" filter to the light path of a ZWO pancake camera:

        You can get that M42-to-1.25" filter adapter from places like ScopeStuff and even ZWO, AliExpress and eBay.

        buy the #IRCUT1?

        No, don't do that; there are many way-better, and well-documented UV-IR Cut filters from Astronomik, Baader, Optolong, etc.

        Just like with the photography world, you don't want the filter to be the limiting factor of the entire expensive imaging chain. Most Luminence filters (from an LRGB set, for example) will also cut unwanted UV and IR (like the set from Antlia, even though they don't sell an individual UV-IR Cut filter).

        If you want to knock yourself out in terms of quality, go for the Chroma or Astrodon 1.25" Luminence filter.

        Chen

            w7ay Many thanks concerning the quality of the filter. I definitely understand that. But is there any harm in using the standard nose piece that came with the 585MC? Vignetting?
            Bob

            • w7ay replied to this.

                GoKidd is there any harm in using the standard nose piece that came with the 585MC? Vignetting?

                What "standard" nosepiece? The one that slides into a 1.25" eyepiece holder of a small refractor?

                That is probably not going to be vignetting, since the 585 itself has a tiny sensor.

                However, if you could, you might consider connecting the camera to the OTA by using tubes that are threaded on both ends.

                Most astrographs and their reducers come with a M42, M48 or M54 (or even wider) threads on their metal backs if the telescope is intended for astrophotography. Just get the correct spacing tubes and adapt to the OTA thread to the M42 thread of the camera.

                Remember that the spacer length is important with reducers, and the spec sheet should tell you what the backfocus -- distance from the threaded part of the reducer to the camera sensor.

                Chen

                    w7ay Thanks, Chen. Yes, I have all the proper extension spacers in place and am just looking to add an IR-cut filter to the chain. According to the online manual for the 585MC, I can install a filter in the end of the nosepiece. But I will double-check that the nosepiece doesn't interfere with the extension tubes. If so, I will pursue the adapter you suggested earlier.

                    • w7ay replied to this.

                        GoKidd According to the online manual for the 585MC, I can install a filter in the end of the nosepiece.

                        No, you cannot use both the nosepiece and a regular M42 tube at the same time. The former will keep the later from being threaded into the camera.

                        Chen

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