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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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ZWO EFW 7-position Filter Wheel for 2"

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This low profile 7 position ZWO filter wheel is just what your monochrome camera ordered.
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ZWO ASI678MC Color CMOS Astronomy Imaging Camera

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The ZWO ASI678MC is geared toward planetary photography, but is capable of so much more.
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ZWO ASI2600MC PRO USB 3.0 COOLED COLOR ASTRONOMY IMAGING CAMERA

$1,499.00

The ZWO ASI2600MC Pro is designed for the astro-photographer that is looking for a high-end camera using an APS-C style sensor.
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ZWO OAG-L Off-Axis Guider for Astrophotography

$199.00

Don't have room for a guidescope on your rig? Well, the ZWO Off-Axis Large Guider is here to save the day.
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ZWO ASI071MC Pro Color Astronomy Imaging Camera

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The ZWO ASI071MC Pro is another step forward for ZWO in APS-C style chip cameras. Upgraded for 2019.
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ZWO ASI6200MC PRO USB 3.0 COOLED Color ASTRONOMY IMAGING CAMERA

$3,799.00

The ZWO ASI6200MC Pro is designed for the astro-photographer that is looking for a high-end camera using a full-frame format sensor.
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ZWO ASI385MC Color CMOS Astronomy Imaging Camera

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The ZWO ASI385MC is a multi-faceted CMOS camera that provides you with great value.
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ZWO ASI533MC PRO COOLED COLOR CMOS ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA

$799.00

The ZWO ASI533MC Pro is a great 1" Square format camera to get you headed down your imaging path.
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ZWO 0.7x Reducer for FF107APO and FF130APO Telescopes

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If you are needing a faster version of your ZWO FF107APO or FF130APO, this reducer will get you there.
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ZWO ASIAIR PLUS WIRELESS IMAGING CONTROLLER

$299.00

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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