Recommended Analog Video Cameras:
IOTA observers have used a variety of analog video cameras over the last fifteen years. Many are still in use today but only a few models are still available for sale. If you already have a video camera and aren’t sure if it is suitable for recording occultations, post a question to the IOTA Occultations groups.io discussion group (or just try the camera). If you are looking for a new camera for occultations, here is a list of the currently available analog video cameras which we can recommend:
- RunCam NightEagle 3″ (click on link at left for ordering information)
- This is a new inexpensive but sensitive camera.
- Watec 902H2 Ultimate-IOTA ($310)
- 1/2″ b/w sensor
- auto or manual exposure, manual gain, manual gamma
- user manual for the 902H2
- order from Darlene at www.avsupply.com ( Darlene Theriault <darlene@avsupply.com> ).
- Watec 910HX – IOTA ($592)
- 1/2″ b/w sensor
- manual exposure, gain, and gamma selection via on-screen display and buttons on the camera
- significantly more sensitive that the 902H2 and longer exposures greatly increase the magnitude reach (with lower time resolution).
- order from Darlene at www.avsupply.com
- Watec 910HX/RC-IOTA ($610)
- same as the 910HX but adds a small control paddle which assists navigation of the on-screen display menus.
- order from Darlene at www.avsupply.com
- Watech 910BD / TACOS-BD system
- Similar capability to the other 910 systems but the 910BD is just a board and no housing.
- The TACOS-BD implementation adds a housing plus it adds USB interface for controlling the camera exposure with a computer.
- For more information on the pricing and ordering the 910BD/TACOS-BD see Dave Gault’s page here.
- Mallincam 828
- The Mallincam RECON 828 costs $700 from the US Mallincam distributer, Jack’s Astro Accessories LLC in Louisiana, mallincamusa@gmail.com . Info. about the camera is at http://www.mallincamusa.com/Updates%20-%20July%202005/RECON.htm (the RECON 828 is twice as sensitive as the RECON 428, well worth the $100 extra) and the recommended settings can be found at http://tnorecon.net/participant-resources/equipment/camera/ .
Note: The Watec cameras generally ship with a non-linear response curve that becomes noticeable at high intensities. This non-linear response curve is not a problem for most occultation observations. But you can “special order” any of these cameras with a linear response curve. The cost is an additional $125 for a new camera. And there are options for retrofitting an existing camera. If you have more questions, we suggest that you post a question to the IOTA groups.io discussion group to learn more about the aspect of the cameras.
Page History:
2016-Aug-15: initial version
2017-Mar-28: updated