Meade Instruments Corporation

The Andromeda Galaxy by Steve Hamilton imaged with the new Meade Deep Sky Imager PRO II. Imaging scope: Meade 8" LXD75 Schmidt Newtonian Telescope. 4 panel mosaic. LRGB - 120 images x 30seconds per panel.

Steve Hamilton and the
Deep Sky Imager II™
Steve Hamilton writes of his Deep Sky Imager Pro II

"The new DSI-PRO II is nothing short of an absolute joy to image with. The larger chip, greater sensitivity, and major software improvements make this camera a definite contender with "The Big Boys".

The first, and most obvious improvement in this camera, is the use of the Sony ICX429ALL ExVIEW HAD ½ Inch chip with an imaging area of 752 x 582 pixels. While providing a much larger imaging area then the previous DSI-PRO, this chip also appears to be far more sensitive with a higher signal to noise coefficient. This translates directly into shorter exposures with far greater details evident due to the low noise. I have also found that I am able to capture less images for stacking purposes, again, due to the lower noise output form this camera.

Another improvement in the camera as a direct result of the use of this chip is the actual size of the pixels themselves. On several M31 images I have taken with this camera, the sensitivity of this camera and the smaller pixel size has resulted directly in far greater details in the dust lanes at very short (30 second) exposures then I was ever able to capture in this time period with the DSI-PRO.

Another new improvement that has greatly improved the imaging capabilities of this camera is the ability of the camera to now report the temperature of the chip while imaging. While this is useful information to the photographer, Meade has taken this a step further and utilized this data in the creation of the dark frames that are auto-subtracted from each captured image. Dark frames are now captured and stored according to their exposure length as they previously were but also now include temperature information for each capture. This results in the software always selecting the best dark frame for any given exposure based on the actual temperature of the chip during that exposure. An added bonus is that the photographer is able to utilize this feature to build a permanent library of dark frames based on exposure time and temperature greatly reducing the time required to setup for an imaging session.

Along with improvements in the camera itself, Meade has also made great strides in providing a more robust and full featured software suite with many new options and capabilities. One of my favorite new improvements has been the inclusion of the new "Zoom" feature used by the photographer to help focus the image. By selecting a star and increasing the zoom to 300 - 400 percent, I am able to see very small changes in the focus of not only the selected star but other small surrounding stars that I might not even see under normal resolution. This particular feature has provided an incredible boost to my ability to focus images very precisely without the need for added focus aids such as Hartman Masks.

Overall, Meade has really topped themselves with the introduction of this camera. The DSI-PRO II is far more then simply a follow on to an existing product but instead shows Meade's dedication to providing beginner, intermediate, and even advanced astro-photographers with constantly improving platforms and processes along with a professional level of quality unheard of at this price."

Steve Hamilton
Chesapeake, VA

More images by Steve Hamilton

Spiral Galaxy - NGC253 - by Steve Hamilton. Meade Deep Sky Imager PRO II and Meade LXD75 8" Schmidt Newtonian Telescope. 25x30 Sec LUM, 10 x 30 Seconds each R, G, B. unguided. Friends of the Sky Starparty, Portal, AZ.	M81 - by Steve Hamilton. Meade Deep Sky Imager PRO II and Meade LXD75 8" Schmidt Newtonian Telescope. 30 Second Exposures Unguided, L=40x30 Secs, RGB=30 x 30 Secs Each, Drizzle Processed to 200%. Friends of the Sky Starparty, Portal, AZ.	M65 & M66 - by Steve Hamilton. Meade Deep Sky Imager PRO II and Meade LXD75 8" Schmidt Newtonian Telescope. 30x1 Sec LUM, 20 x 1 Seconds each R, G, B.	Horsehead Nebula- By Steve Hamilton. Meade DSI-Pro II, Meade ED80 APO mounted on my Meade LX90. DSI Pro-II Imaging, DSI Pro Guided, Schuler HA, L, RGcBc Filters


NGC2264 - by Steve Hamilton.Meade ED80 APO, DSI-PRO II, Schuler Ha, SII, and OIII filters. 10 minute suframes, will probably do 20 minute subframes next time and more of them. 80ED on the LX90 guided by the DSI PRO, all thru Envisage.	NGC2175 by Steve Hamilton. Meade DSI-Pro II, Meade ED80 APO, DSI Pro II, Schuler Ha and OIII Filters, 5 Degrees C. DSI Pro Guided thru LX90. 10x10 minute images Ha, 6x10 minute images OIII	M108 by Steve Hamilton. SN8 mounted on TAK NJP, Meade DSI Pro II, Schuler LRGcBc filters, Meade DSI Pro Guided. 240 minutes total, 4 minute exposures for the L, R, and G, and 5 minute exposures for the B	M51 by Steve Hamilton.