ASI094MC Pro frustrations

gobleb

I just got my new ASI094MC 2 weeks ago and I really want to love it but I haven't been able to get a decent picture out of it. I upgraded from my DSLR (Canon 5D II) which I no issues using on my RASA.

I guess it is my inexperience or lack of knowledge with the capture applications I now have to use. I have tried FireCaputre, SharpCap, and APT. They all have pluses and minuses. I have kinda stuck with FireCapture since that seem the most intuitive to me. Starting with all the defaults Gain=350, Exposure= 10Sec. My light images turn out well exposed but flat and dark images turn everything to crap. The Darks are adding a crazy amount of noise and the flats only take out a portion of the vignetting. I can get and OK picture by cropping out everything but the very center but it is still very noisy.

Has anyone out there in ZWO land had similar experiences? I run into the problem that there are not to many RASA's out there as well as the camera being so new. Any advise would be appreciated.

Sam@ZWO

can you post any image?

you'd better choose tool like MDL or SGP for deep sky imaging

I am not sure RASA support full frame sensor

einari

"43.3 mm optimized image circle maintains pinpoint stars to the far corners of even the largest astroimaging sensors, while the usable field extends even further to 52 mm for larger format sensors."

gobleb

Sam wrote:
can you post any image?

you'd better choose tool like MDL or SGP for deep sky imaging

I am not sure RASA support full frame sensor

OK my 11" RASA has a 279mm aperture which is more than capable of handling a full frame sensor. The RASA was specifically developed to support the larger sensors and is a dedicated astrophotography scope.

https://www.celestron.com/products/rowe-ackermann-schmidt-astrograph

Here is a picture I got from the camera using proper darks, flats and lights combined in pixinsight and only having the automatic background extraction done on it.

Sam@ZWO

it looks like some reflect happen on your optics

but I am sure your camera works well if you can see the image

I don't have much experience with RASA, maybe somebody else can help

gobleb

Looks like the issue was the supplied adapters from ZWO. Since the image chip is so large there is a very small focus cone coming out of the RASA. I had to buy an additional adapter plate for my RASA (S70 68mm) and run S70 through the 38mm of back focus then step down to the M54 for the camera. Had to also get a variable adapter to be able to dial in the precise back focus distance.

After getting everything up and running I lost the skies. To top it off my CGEM-DX mount broke and is currently getting repaired at Celestron. I will post the end product when it comes back in a few weeks.

Seems like the larger adapters should be available through ZWO especially for the larger sensors.

al bates

Have you tried stacking a few light frames.? (only light frames)

moonprince

According to your description, I think the adapters need to reduce reflections by some way.

gobleb

AL Bates wrote:
Have you tried stacking a few light frames.? (only light frames)

I have tried lights only from 2 -20 with without darks, flats, and bias. Nothing seemd to fix it. I hooked up with a guy in Florida that has the exact setup. He had the same issue that I had. He contracted Starzonia to build a custom adapter from the RASA to the ASI094. I just ordered one so I should be able to give a report later this week, weather allowing.

It just amazes that no one else had these issues. I know the RASA's are few between but are out there.

peregrine

I'm using a hyperstar on an 11" edge, with Baader UFC parts to get to the correct backfocus number for an 094. I just got the camera a few days ago, and have only been checking operation so have not done any calibration steps yet. My subs so far have been very good, even without any preprocessing. If Dean is making a custom adapter for you, I think it may well solve your problem, since from your jpg it's clear the camera is working. Please post back here when you get to that point.

gobleb

Well things were looking great with the new adapter but then....... the camera died. Mid sequence nothing but black screens. No photos are being transferred to sharpcap anymore even though it recognizes the camera. Hopefully this is not a view of things to come. Only had the camera for less than 2 months and actually used it 4 times.

Support@ZWO

Hi Could you send us a email to info@zwoptical.com

We will let our engineer remote your camera and computer to take a look that problem.

gobleb

I'm working with Chad through the people I bought the camera through. I have sent him the required ID and password for team viewer that is connected to the camera.

gobleb

Just wanted to follow up. ZWO Customer service was great. Vanessa took care of me. My bad camera got stuck in customs now going on week two. She expedited a replacement and it showed up in 2 days.

Waiting for a clear night to set it up and test it out.

Support@ZWO

Looks like your telescope or adapters have reflection inside. If solve reflections the cricle will gone.

gobleb

So here we are 10 months after my initial purchase and 8 months after my first replacement was received. Looks like the original problem has come back. Nothing but a black image from the sensor. I can talk to the camera, turn on the cooler, make adjustments but do not get an image out of it. I sent an e-mail to Vanessa bout this problem since she wanted to be kept in the loop. She told me there are quite a few of these cameras coming back for "Strengthening the Structure" What is that? It sound like you have a Manufacturing/QC issue. I'm concerned what my last year of reliability will be from this camera. I am questioning my decision to not return the camera after the first failure.

Support@ZWO

Peregrine wrote:
I'm using a hyperstar on an 11" edge, with Baader UFC parts to get to the correct backfocus number for an 094. I just got the camera a few days ago, and have only been checking operation so have not done any calibration steps yet. My subs so far have been very good, even without any preprocessing. If Dean is making a custom adapter for you, I think it may well solve your problem, since from your jpg it's clear the camera is working. Please post back here when you get to that point.

That's great news!

gobleb

gobleb wrote:
So here we are 10 months after my initial purchase and 8 months after my first replacement was received. Looks like the original problem has come back. Nothing but a black image from the sensor. I can talk to the camera, turn on the cooler, make adjustments but do not get an image out of it. I sent an e-mail to Vanessa bout this problem since she wanted to be kept in the loop. She told me there are quite a few of these cameras coming back for "Strengthening the Structure" What is that? It sound like you have a Manufacturing/QC issue. I'm concerned what my last year of reliability will be from this camera. I am questioning my decision to not return the camera after the first failure.

So Is this going to get addressed?

Support@ZWO

gobleb wrote:
gobleb wrote:So here we are 10 months after my initial purchase and 8 months after my first replacement was received. Looks like the original problem has come back. Nothing but a black image from the sensor. I can talk to the camera, turn on the cooler, make adjustments but do not get an image out of it. I sent an e-mail to Vanessa bout this problem since she wanted to be kept in the loop. She told me there are quite a few of these cameras coming back for "Strengthening the Structure" What is that? It sound like you have a Manufacturing/QC issue. I'm concerned what my last year of reliability will be from this camera. I am questioning my decision to not return the camera after the first failure.

So Is this going to get addressed?

Yes, if the camera have any hardware issue, we will follow the issue until it is totally solved. Maybe in very a few times, the camera is not fixed in first time, but we will fix it again.

gobleb

So my 3 time repaired camera failed AGAIN tonight. There seems to be a manufacturing or design defect with the way they attach the sensor. It will go from being a great camera to nothing. While you can still talk to the camera through the USB3 you will not get any picture from the CMOS. I have given ZWO the benefit of the doubt for the past year but my camera has been lost in shipment, held at customs, or "Getting the structure strengthen" for 5 of the 12 months I have owned it.

Don't get me wrong, when it s working I get amazing shots through my 11" RASA. It really takes advantage of the sensor. I have depended on this camera for 2 star parties and numerous dark site excursions. I can tell you only 1 star party was able to get any sort of pictures. The others have always failed and I had to resort to my DSLR. Buyer beware if looking at this camera. I have seen quite a few used ones that probably have the same issues. Spending almost $4k for this camera is a complete waste!