ASI224MC and DSO photography

seaber

Hi all,

I recently bought this camera and love it. I've taken some great planetary and lunar images. I also hear that this camera is decent for some basic DSO photography as well. This is where I have questions and I apologize for being so new about this.

When I attempt to take DSO images, should I be taking video captures or actual still images with the camera? I've seen various images that will state something like "600 frames 500 gain, 800ms" which obviously means video captures, but then there will be other images that will list the capture settings as something more DSLR camera exposures oriented.

Is there a basic rule of thumb I can start off with right now in terms of gain and exposure settings? I use Sharpcap and my scope is a Celstron Nexstar6SE.

s3igell

Cameras such as the ASI224MC are quite capable at both Video and Stills - so much so that they can do "Amazing Things" using either method. The general rule of thumb is that you should use Video for bright Planets and Lunar Imaging; and should use Still Exposures for DSO Imaging. However, in reality, that Planetary Video is then going to be reduced to Still Images during Planetary Image Processing.

Any discussion of Settings will be more problematic - all settings will be dependent upon the Imaging Gear, the Target, and the Sky/Seeing Conditions.

Sorry, not an Answer. But, for most of us, the Challenge of finding the "Best Settings" is part of the Fun...