Re: [APML]: CCD or Film Dilemma

[konomi@mail.geocities.com]

Just to toss in my nickle as well on Film vs CCD,

Most/ all of the science observations I do involve CCDs including 2k 
and NICMOS style units offering a very wide wavelength response. 
These instruments are fun and provide fabulous images but, these are 
exceedingly expensive science cameras.

Fortunately,  I also have access to a "smaller" pair of telescopes, an f/3.5 24" 
Newtonian I use for CCD work with either an ST-8 or and ST-6 and a
6" f/15 Goto which I use with 35mm. 

Nothing is more wonderful than getting a nice CCD image 
in 40 seconds to admire and enjoy and many nights I will often 
just use the SBIG CCDs.  

But, for the moon, bright planets and nebula and larger star clusters the 35mm provides a 
great deal of satisfaction, particularly if you enjoy developing your 
own film. 

I enjoy the results of film to the extent that I am on the verge of 
experimenting with the 24" /SBIG-8 combo as a guider for piggybacked  35mm 
work on some deep sky objects using the Goto for very long exposures. 

While this extravagance is the result of considerable good fortune on 
my part to be at a wonderful observatory (science salaries dont leave 
much room for backyards let alone telescopes), it will make it hard when I 
leave not to set up a similar system for my use.  While I have 
probably not shed any light on what choices to make between CCD or 
Film, I hope I have expressed some sentements on how wonderful it can 
be to use them both and that even when having the best of one available it does 
not exclude the use of the other.

Best regards,

Scott
---------------
Dr. Scott Teare
University of Illinois and Mt. Wilson Observatory
Mt Wilson, California.