Orion 52175 StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (Black)

You looking to find the "Orion 52175 StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (Black)" Good news! You can purchase Orion 52175 StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (Black) with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $99.99    

Product Feature

• Now compatible with Apple computers and laptops! Included software is now Mac OS X compatible, as well as Windows 7, Vista (32 bit & 64 bit), and XP operating systems
• Our fourth generation planetary imaging camera provides an affordable way to acquire stunning astrophotos of our neighbors in the solar system
• Features a 1/3" format color CMOS imaging chip with a very small 3.6 x 3.6 microns pixel size for exceptional resolution
• Camera sensor features a 1280 x 1024 pixel layout with 1.3 megapixel resolution, progressive scan imaging uses all pixels for each exposure
• Features a 1.25" nosepiece threaded for 1.25" filters to enhance your astrophotos

Product Description

The Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager IV is equipped with features that make it easy to take your own pictures of objects in our solar system. Its 1/3 inch format CMOS imaging sensor with a 1280 x 1024 pixel layout can take sharply detailed planetary and lunar astrophotos. Each pixel is a mere 3.6� m x 3.6µm in size for exceptional image resolution in 24-bit RGB color. Since the 8-bit output StarShoot Solar System Color Imager IV is progressive scan, all pixels will be used for each and every exposure. At full 1280 x 1024 resolution, you can capture up to 15 frames per second. By stacking multiple exposures to create a single picture, you can increase image detail significantly. The Imager's 1.25inch nosepiece is threaded for 1.25 inch filters, so you can use astrophotography filters and color visual filters to enhance your shots. The StarShoot Solar System Color Imager IV features an integrated IR-cut filter to block both ultraviolet and infrared light. These wavelengths of light can degrade image quality, so by blocking them, the IR-cut filter helps to optimize contrast in all your astrophotos. The included Orion AmCap software provides the means to capture images in the popular AVI movie format which are downloaded to your computer through its high speed USB 2.0 connection with the included 58 inch long USB cable. Website links are provided in the launcher to download popular free image processing software to be used with your AVI files to further enhance your astrophotos. Apple, the Apple logo and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Included imaging and processing software is now compatible with Apple Mac OS X systems as well as Windows 8, 7, Vista (32 bit & 64 bit), and XP operating systems.

Orion 52175 StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (Black) Review

This was the first astrophotography camera I purchased. I chose it for the price because I wanted an inexpensive camera to try solar astrophotography. At $99 I think it is a good value. I use it with a Lunt 60mm H-Alpha solar scope, mounted on an Orion AstroView EQ mount. It is easy to use and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Patience is required, and the instructions keep things simplified. The camera software and image processing can get complicated, and the system can do a lot more (image enhancements) than is covered in the instructions. But the simplified instructions were good for a beginner like me. I'm posting this review after the first day's use. I did not contact Orion for technical support, but they have always been helpful in the past, and I would not hesitate to contact them if I wanted their help. I like tinkering first.

When using for solar imagining, ambient light leaked into the camera from the rear LED window. I used some foil and tape to block this out, but I bought it for solar imagining, so I deducted a star for this! For night imaging it probably would not be a problem.

Learning to use Registax is essential, and I recommend looking for tutorials on YouTube. Without using Registax you will be disappointed in the images. Registax (or other stacking software) is the key to using a modified webcam for astroimagining. The instructions do not cover stacking, but tell you were to go for help.

The instructions suggest learning the system in a lighted environment for the first session. I think this is essential. It would be a nightmare learning everything in the dark. Also, the instructions stress that focusing is the hardest part to learn. Patience and trial/error is a must. Also, a laptop works great in room lighting, but using it outdoors in the sun, or in the dark, both present challenges for focusing. Be patient!

Software might have a few minor bugs when running on XP. I'm not certain it is the Orion software; it could be my PCs. But I tried on two PCs (with XP on both) and had some quirks. First, AmCap crashed (not responding) on startup about 50% of the time. After a few uses, I uninstalled and reinstalled. This seemed to resolve most issues. Also, on both PCs, I found that it was best to plug in the camera and let the PC recognize it before launching AmCap. If I launched AmCap and then plugged in the camera, it seemed to cause problems. Note: the camera LED does not come on until the camera is running with AmCap. When idle on USB power (and AmCap closed) the LED is out.

If you buy the StarShoot, please post a review here, too, so we can all learn and share. Thanks.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Orion 52175 StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (Black)" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Orion 52175 StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (Black) ...