Cheap microscope (planetary) camera

[undone axle]

Hi all!
I have a question about a really cheap microscope camera which has really similar spec than a beginner planetary camera.
Did anybody tried this one? Is that any better than a webcam?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004569143738.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6fff3809bbx9Ls&algo_pvid=c1c2c05d-cb35-44ee-a22b-a1b44edaf42f&algo_exp_id=c1c2c05d-cb35-44ee-a22b-a1b44edaf42f-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id"%3A"12000029659118647"}&pdp_npi=2%40dis!HUF!37459.95!16107.82!!!!!%40210318d116703965382537759e9cca!12000029659118647!sea&curPageLogUid=1Is5oYdyCtTR

[clear osprey]

Some people do use similar camera modules and cameras are discussed a lot in the #🔨-do-it-yourself channel. I wouldn't trust that one because it doesn't tell you what sensor it uses. You really want one that has good low-light sensitivity, based around Sony's Exmor or Starvis sensors. imx290 is the same sensor used in ZWO ASI290 and SvBony SV305 so would be a safer bet. However those AliExpress modules (unlike the AZO or SvBony versions) generally can't do long exposures, and being USB2.0 they can't do fast exposures either, and often they can't shoot in RAW so you lose a lot of detail. So they may be better than a webcam, but don't expect proper astro cam quality. If you can find a module that allows you to do those things cheaply then you've found the unicorn!

On the plus side, if you buy one of those imx290, imx335 or similar modules you can later turn it into an OpenAstroGuider for a cheap guidescope

[undone axle]

Thank You for the response and information! I try to find the possible sensor types that match the specs but there are more than one option. Generally the quantum efficiency is good enough for a nice sensitivity across all modern cmos. The USB interface is a big drawback. Long exposure is a no go anyway with that small sensor size I think. At the laboratory we have a similar cam which has known manufacturer. I think I'm going to try it first. (I'm allowed to take it for a few days! :D) I'm curious that anybody have any astro picture taken by this kind of unit. 😄

[clear osprey]

Yeah, please try it and let us know!

I think @steel token uses a imx290 module with good results

[steel token]

yep, its the SV105 basically. Works ok

[undone axle]

I hope the weather will not disturb my plan tonight and I can try it. Do not expect any good pictures because my scope need a few upgrade, first of all an electronic focuser. The good old knob is too old and loose so I have to use it carefully.

[undone axle]

Thanks for the info! Is there any vignetting or color aberration in the pictures?

[steel token]

that depends on the scope

[undone axle]

It's a 104/1000 acromate. Not in the best condition but that can do a nice job.

mm

not inch 😄

[steel token]

vignette is unlikely as the sensor is small. CA maybe but thats dependent on the scope

[undone axle]

I tried a few modern webcam and they use really weird corrections in the firmware and those have a really annoying color and brightness effect.

[undone axle]

I found an unicorn once! That was a Basler A622f monochrome camera. Sadly that is an old model that have a really bad QE, like 40%. But it has a really high pixel size. It is quite good for microscopy imaging and for brighter object like Moon.

[clear osprey]

This is my imx335 module under terrible seeing conditions and some breeze. It does 30fps, but the cloud required me to take longer exposures. Because it only does 30fps in mjpeg mode and the pixels are so small, it doesn't give good results on anything smaller than the moon. You can see some banding on Jupiter but it's mostly a blur.

[undone axle]

I was able to record a video but I forgot to change the format to raw. I recorded it by using RGB24 mode. Sadly that mistake made impossible to process Jupiter shots but the Moon was kinda OK.
https://youtu.be/adfAvGWPFEI

This camera has 3.1 Mp resolution and an Aptina CMOS sensor. I made this video to compare the cheaper one with a "pro level" microscope cam.

[clear osprey]

Nice!