Re: [APML] OT: New 35mm Astro CCD camera

[Michael Barber <barber@sbig.com>]

>>
>>> Awesome shots but the camera is $10,000.

$8,995 is what we are aiming at actually.

>>> Show me this when the same camera is $1500.  Then I'll bite.
>>
>>I don't think it's ever going to happen that the latest generation of
>>cameras will be priced within the budget of the average amateur. The
>>trend has been for new introductions to be more expensive than the
>>previous generation. Eventually you'll be able to pick up a used one
>>for that price but by that time it'll be 3 generations old  and no one
>>will want it anyway. ;-)

That's not entirely true.  A 6" AP with 4" FF will cost about the same as
most of our new larger format cameras.  These scopes have been made for
amateurs for years and there is a very log wait to get a new one.  So
amateurs must find the money for the hobby somehow.  Compare it to the cost
of a ski boat or a coule of wave runners.  How about an RV?  These things
are all bought for pleasure.  Prior to the introduction of the 11000, the
next nearest sized astro CCD camera was the 6303 offered by a couple of
other companies for the range of $25,000 to 30,000 depending on the class
of CCD.  This did not include a filter wheel (add $1000) or autoguider (add
another $1000).  The new Class 1 11000 has a larger CCD with 80% nmore
pixels (11 million vs. 6 million), it has self-guiding and a filter wheel
for less than half the price of the 6303 with Class 2 detector.  And our
similar featured 6303 camera will cost less than previously available astro
cameras with the same CCD, and it will include an autoguider and a filter
wheel.  Yes, these are expensive items.  But they are coming down.  Why do
they cost so much?  Well, for one thing Tony could buy two professional
guitars for the price of just one Class 2 6303 CCD (camera not included)
from Kodak.  So maybe that explains something.

And, Tony.  I am sure you guitars are very nice.  But strap one to the side
of your telescope and wait for the image to appear and you'll find they're
completely useless <g>.

Regards,
Michael Barber
SBIG
    

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