(meteorobs) Looking for advice choosing fireball cameras (video)

[Chris Peterson]

What are your scientific goals? Do you really need the resolution 
afforded by multiple cameras (a setup that will introduce many 
management and processing challenges)?

At the least, if you want meteors and stars in your data, do not use a 
color camera. All of the Sony HAD based B&W cameras have similar 
sensitivity, and all are a LOT better than any of the color camera 
choices. A color sensor reduces both sensitivity and resolution while 
adding little or no useful data. (Sense-up modes are not useful for 
meteor work.)

Chris

*******************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

On 10/5/2012 6:54 PM, LEO STACHOWICZ wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have been toying with the idea of setting up my own cameras to record fireballs for a while now, but have been waiting till I can move to a rural location. Well, I'm in the process of buying just such a property, so I want to find a few cameras, but I have a few questions about what equipment would be suitable.
>
> To begin with, rather than just a single all-sky camera, I'm thinking of having multiple cameras covering as much sky as possible. I figure somewhere between 5 and 8 cameras should do, depending on what lenses are available.
>
> I've been looking at CCTV type cameras that have relatively high sensitivity/resolution and large CCDs (ideally 1/2"), but I don't have a huge budget, so I will probably end up buying most of them in used condition.
>
> I figure that they don't need to be too sensitive as I'm after fireballs, but I still want some star detail. So my first question is - what kind of specification cameras are others using?
>
> I've seen some nice footage in the past from the Spanish Fireball Network. Anyone know what spec. cameras they are using?
>
> I decided to take the plunge and picked up a Samsung SDN-550 camera which seemed an ok deal: http://www.buythis.co.uk/open_product.asp?pid=1687&catId=61&source=Froogle
>
> Main features:
> - 0.3 Lux at F1.2(color),0.01Lux(B/W), 0.002Lux (Sens-up)
> - 1/3" Sony Super HAD color CCD
> - Ultra High Resolution of 530TVL(color)/570TVL(B/W)
>
> I've also got my eye on a Bosch LTC 0610: http://www.buythis.co.uk/open_product.asp?pid=1687&catId=61&source=Froogle
>
> ...which looks like it will be a bit better (1/2", 0.008 lux, 540 TVL ).
>
> I suppose one of these (Mintron 12V6HC-EX or WATEC WAT-902H2) would be the best option, but they are a little out of my price range, unless I can find a nice used condition example or two: http://www.modernastronomy.com/camerasAstroVideo.html
>
>
> In terms of lenses I'm thinking along the lines of 4mm F 1.2 on 1/2" sensors, but so far I've only come across zoom lenses, and I'm also not sure if I should be looking for manual or auto aperture lenses? I suppose having auto aperture lenses would be a good idea for daylight-fireball monitoring.
>
>
> The other thing I'm not sure about is how to record/time-stamp the footage from the cameras. Can I use a single PC (with an 8 input capture card) running UFO capture for this?  I expect I'll have to build a dedicated PC for this purpose, so any tips on what minimum spec to go for would be helpful.
>
>
> Clear skies,
> Leo