SonotaCo.JP

[SonotaCo]

UFOCaptureHD is almost ready but not published widely, because there is no good high definition video camera for night sky observation.
If someone konws good one, pls let me know it.


Our requirements for HD video cameras is as follows.
1) Hi sensitivity - better than 0.01lux or ISO 12800 with s/n 30db.
2) Fast lens (f < 2.0) is available.
3) un-compressed video signal output using appropriate interface (HDMI or HD-SDI).
4) 1920x1080i/60i support.
5) long time no-touch operation is possible.
6) no overlay indicators on the video
7) LCD of the camera can be OFF while outputting through HDMI (not necessary)

Panasonic DMC-GH2 satisfies 1)-5), only 6) is the problem.
See the experiments below.
http://sonotaco.jp/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2391

Newly announced Nikon D800 (2012/3/22 first ship) seems to almost OK,
but it is 1920x1080i/30p (not 60i) and 5), 7) are not confirmed.
(Many DSRs have no-operation-shutdown function at 30 min. D800 also
have time limit of 30 min for video recording, but not confirmed for
Live-view HDMI monitoring only)

-----------Spec Memo -------------------------
manufacturer ; Panasonic
model : DMC-GH2
first shipment: 2010/10/29
maxISO : 12800
video interface: HDMI(mini)
video format : 1920x1080/60i,24p,1280x720/60p,
AC operation : possible
long time no-touch operation : possible
no overlay information display : possible //corrected !
(LCD off mode-> overlay exists on HDMI,
LCD on with no overlay -> HDMI simultaneous monitering is possible with no overlay)
LCD OFF : possible (LVF/LCD sw, Disp sw shows overlay to HDMI)
Lens mount: micro four-thirds mount
Price: almost 60,000Yen in Japan
Best lens : Nokton 25mm F0.95 (almost 80,000Yen in Japan)

-----------Spec Memo-------------------------
manufacturer : Nikon
model : D800
first shipment: 2012/03/22
maxISO : 25600
video interface: HDMI(mini)
video format : 1920x1080/30p,25p,24p 1280x720/60p,
AC operation : possible
long time no-touch operation : auto off timer can be set 10/20/30 min and infinite , but automatic thermal shutdown might happen when it is overheated, so it is not guaranteed.
no overlay information display : possible
LCD OFF : impossible!
Lens mount: Nikon F mount
Price: almost 300,000Yen in Japan
Best lens : Nikon 50mm F1.2 ??

[Lightningwizard]

Hi SonotaCo,
I would add as requirement the capability of easily removing the IR blocking filter, or availability of this modification by a third party.
I believe it is LifePixel who offers a Sony NEX 5 IR.
The larger the sensor, the better for low noise...

Oscar

[ceres]

Hi all,
I am new here, but I have been used UFOCapture since 2008 for videometeors

What do you think about this camera:
http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/index.php?id=715

It is based on new Sony ICX674 very sensitive sensor with 40 fps...

Best regards

Roman

[SonotaCo]

[rando42]

Hi Sonotaco,

I'm looking also for HD caméra but it seems that the better way would to use the new generation of reflex.
Did you look at SONY A77 models it seems to have the caractéristics you need :
16000 iso and up to 50 frames/s, all manuel settings are also available in movie function, and you could have a screen without logo or marks .
Do you deliver the new version of ufocapture soon or is it a way to test it ?

[SonotaCo]

[rando42]

hi,

for the overlay it seems yes, there is some pictures on the manual showing the différent screens ( I've dowloaded from Sony,) the best way would to check it in a store.
On my alpha 450 the screen could display all logos, some logos or none logos ( screen is clean from any pictures), I use this last for bulb picture in the dark

.Ok I'll wait for HD

[Lightningwizard]

-----------Spec Memo -------------------------
manufacturer Point Grey
model : Chameleon
sensor: ICX445 (exView) 1/3" CCD color or monochrome, 3.75um pixels
shutter: global
IR filter: cuts around 700 nm, easily removed but voids warranty for optical path.
maxISO : up to 24 dB gain
video interface: USB 2.0, DirectShow driver available
video format : 1296x964/18p+8 bits, slower: 16 bits raw, etc
AC operation : powered by USB
long time no-touch operation : yes
no overlay information display : yes
LCD OFF : yes
Lens mount: CS
Price: $470
Best lens : 5 megapixel C mount lenses, F1.4, 12mm F0.8 CS.mount....

-----------Spec Memo -------------------------
manufacturer Point Grey
model : Grasshopper Express
sensor: ICX674 or ICX694 (exView) 2/3" or 1" CCD color or monochrome, 4.54 um pixels
shutter: global
IR filter: cuts around 700 nm, easily removed but voids warranty for optical path.
maxISO : up to 24 dB gain
video interface: Firewire 800 (1394b), DirectShow driver available
video format : 1934x1452/26p+8 bits, slower: 16 bits raw, etc
AC operation : supplied via power to Firewire card or over GPIO
long time no-touch operation : yes
no overlay information display : yes
LCD OFF : yes
Lens mount: CS
Price: below $2000 but not including the Firewire hardware.
Best lens : 5 megapixel C mount lenses, F1.4

There are many more models, including fast or high resolution USB 3.0 cameras, which however seem less sensitive (the QE may be good but pixel size can be limiting, also have a rolling shutter)
These cameras are slower than you may want, but appear suitable on all other points. I did not try one.

You may want to look also into Canon DSLR cameras with the MagicLantern firmware, and for the Panasonic GH2 there is a firmware hack which gives a much improved quality compressed output. DSLR cameras gain a lot of sensitivity by doing a full spectrum modification, but this could imply sending the camera overseas incl. extra costs and taxes.

Oscar