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CCD & Photographic

A CCD camera is essentially an electronic version of a 35mm camera for astrophotography that saves the images in your computer, rather than on a roll of film. A CCD camera can take snapshots of the Moon and planets and long exposure photos of deep sky nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters. Because the CCD camera has to store up the faint light of deep space objects before it can display an image, just as a 35mm film camera does, a CCD can't give you real-time or instant images of deep space objects.

Because a CCD camera is more sensitive than 35mm film or your eye, it can store up more information during an exposure. Software supplied with the camera, or available separately, allows you to manipulate the image later to bring out details that would be washed out or invisible in a 35mm negative or while observing visually. CCD cameras are surprisingly unaffected by city light pollution, allowing deep sky photography from even heavily light polluted sites.

CCD cameras typically vary in price according to their image size, with large cameras running into the multiple thousands of dollars. Even at their largest, however, their image covers less of the sky than a 35mm film camera on the same scope. CCDs are best at recording small and very faint objects rather than large and bright objects, although excellent images of large objects can be recorded by taking multiple overlapping images and combining them in the computer.

It has been said that CCD cameras on amateur-size telescopes can record fainter objects than the 200" scope at Mt. Palomar could record only 10 or 15 years ago with conventional film cameras. By some measures, CCD cameras can be said to have an effective film speed (ASA or ISO rating) of 20,000, making them ideal for recording very faint objects.

Some CCD cameras can act as autoguiders to take the tedium out of guiding long exposure 35mm photos. Some CCD cameras have their own autoguider built in for recording images automatically and untended; others come with separate guiders or have them available as an option.

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$Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDL Doublet apo refractor$ $Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDL Doublet apo refractor$

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Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDL Doublet apo refractor

Regular Price: $199.95

Special Price $99.95

This 0.8x focal reducer and field flattener is designed specifically for astrophotography with the Astro-Tech AT80EDL f/7 apo refractor.
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ZWO EFW 5-position Filter Wheel for 2"

$299.00

This low profile ZWO filter wheel is just what your monochrome camera ordered.
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Celestron 48MM T-ADAPTER FOR EDGEHD 9.25”, 11”, AND 14”

$72.95

The 48mm T-Adapter is the accessory of choice if you’d like to attach your full frame DSLR or astronomical camera to a Celestron EdgeHD optical tube.
$0.8x reducer/field flattener for f/6 refractors$ $Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for f/6 refractors Old Style with 42mm Adapter only.$

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Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for f/6 refractors Old Style with 42mm Adapter only.

$149.95

This economical Astro-Tech 2" 0.8x reducer/field flattener is designed for astrophotography with f/6 focal ratio refractors, but will also work well with refractors in the f/5.5 to f/7 range . . .
$0.8x reducer/field flattener for f/6 refractors$ $Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for f/6 refractors Used$

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Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for f/6 refractors Used

$149.95

This economical Astro-Tech 2" 0.8x reducer/field flattener is designed for astrophotography with f/6 focal ratio refractors, but will also work well with refractors in the f/5.5 to f/7 range . . .
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ZWO ASIAIR PLUS WIRELESS IMAGING CONTROLLER

$299.00

1 Review(s)

Control your ZWO camera (and supported ZWO accessories) as well as your goto mount. Astro-photography has never been easier. Check out the 3rd edition Smart Wifi Controller, the ASIAIR Plus
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ZWO EAF Hand Controller

$39.99

A “must-have” option for EAF users!
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ZWO Standard Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF) 5V Advanced Set

$248.00

A great solution for your focusing needs.
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ZWO ASI385MC Color CMOS Astronomy Imaging Camera

$299.00

The ZWO ASI385MC is a multi-faceted CMOS camera that provides you with great value.
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Celestron NexGuide CCD Autoguider

$299.95

1 Review(s)

THIS PRODUCT IS DISCONTINUED. THIS PAGE IS HERE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

The Celestron NexGuide stand-alone CCD autoguider guides your long exposure deep space photos electronically and automatically, without needing the separate computer many similarly-priced competitive guiders require. The Celestron NexGuide is a Sky & Telescope Hot Product for 2011 . . .

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