I am currently looking to make the jump into astrophotography.  I tried those digital camera attachments that hook up to the eyepiece and it's difficult to use. 

Can anyone suggest and good CCD camera for a beginner on a budget of about $200-350?   Ease of use is also a factor as well.  The last thing I need to be even more confused haha.

Basically to start off I'd be taking images of solar system objects and eventually making the jump to deep space objects. 

My scope specs are 5.1" 650mm Newt reflector with a EQ mount.

Thanks 

Unless you can find a used one for sale on the Internet, most Deep Sky CCD cameras are just out of your reach on that budget. In that price range you're probably only going to be able to get one of the Lunar Planetary/Solar System Imagers available on the market.  The Celestron NexImage cost Lunar planetary CCD camera is $152.00.  Orion Starshoot Solar System Imager is $179.95, and the Meade LPI can be bought for $99.00. 
If then that is the case, I would suggest getting a web cam such as the Philips SPC900NC for around $78.00 + Tax, and then get the mogg adapter to fit into your telescopes focuser. For that your total investment will be right around $100.00 giving you better results.  

Have A Nice __________ 

i just bought a phillips spc900nc from walmart.com for $54.88 free shipping

found an adaptor on ebay for $18.00 $3.00 shipping

remember though, you will also need an ir/uv cutoff filter, that ran $54.00 free shippingbecause once you remove the original lense, it removes the filter as well...

also a USB 16' extension cable, because the cable on the camera just wont cut it, unless you are very close to your computer. that was $24.99 local best buy

add that all together..... $154.87.......so close to the same price as the meade....

tough choice........ 

hope this helped

SirZeusor:

remember though, you will also need an ir/uv cutoff filter, that ran $54.00 free shippingbecause once you remove the original lense, it removes the filter as well...

No you won't!  A UV/IR CutOff filter is not required for Lunar and Planetary imaging. It is not even required for Deep Sky Imaging.  That is a matter of personal preference and the effect you're after..  The only filters I have used so far are; none for planetary. Lunar filter for the moon. And for Deep Sky I use the Baader Moon and SkyGlow Filter.  I have played a bit with colored planetary filters which you can get a set of four for less than $54.00. But again they are not required.

But you will want a longer USB cable that you can get almost anywhere. I got 10" USB extension cables at Radio Shack for around $16.00 each.

Sams Club also sells the Philips SPC900NC for $54.88

Have A Nice ________

ok then im confused...?

after i take off the lense, the ccd chip is exposed to everything

how do you protect it, or dont you?

wont dust or anything that gets on the chip ruin it?

SirZeusor:

ok then im confused...?

after i take off the lense, the ccd chip is exposed to everything

how do you protect it, or dont you?

wont dust or anything that gets on the chip ruin it?

Guess what is happening to a DSLR's chip while the shutter is open during a long exposure. The chip is exposed.  When the chip is charged there is no telling what it will attract.  Periodic cleaning is required. 

Dust doesn't do the chip any good, but it won't harm it if removed properly.  All you need to remove the dust is a puffer ball like that which you would use for camera cleaning. Or you can get a Digital Camera Cleaning kit. Some come with a rocket blaster, and some come with canned air to blow the chip off.
If you want, but not required, you can use almost any filter, even a cheap moon or color planetary filter. 
Since I use mine with my 6" Achromatic refractor most of the time I us my Baader Contrast Booster filter, Or when I use it on my 80mm ED I just keep it palmed until I get it in the focuser. Once it is in the focuser it is sealed from the outside environment.   But for use on a reflector You might want something on it or make sure it is cleaned between uses.

When I'm not using the web cam I keep the contrast booster filter on it with a Eyepiece barrel dust cover on it also which also protects the filter while in my storage case.

For CCD or CMOS Cleaning>>
http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=Tutorials1

http://www.sbig.com/pdffiles/Cleaning%20CCDs1.pdf

Have A Nice _________

hrmm

good stuff to know

thanks!

CCD cameras work with newtonian reflectors???? Well slap me around and call me sally!

I have asked that question to several people and could never get a clear answer. I have been wanting to get into astrophotography, but now I need to invest in a new tripod no matter what route I go...................darn wind!

SirZeusor:

remember though, you will also need an ir/uv cutoff filter,

DSLRs have IR filters over the ccd, that's one of the things that gets replaced if you decide to go after Ha w/ the DSLR (you can do the mod yourself, or send it to one of several conversion houses).

Most planetary photographers use IR cut lum and color filters on monochrome CCDs, or cut IR on their Bayer matrixed RGB cams just to allow them to control the amount of IR and UV that gets into the image. They then image through specific IR (or UV) pass filters (~750nm or 850nm for IR, 380nm for UV) and combine the IR image w/ the (IR cut) red channel, (or UV w/ the blue channel)under their control, to meet their preference.

Mars really benefits from a small amount of IR reinserted, Jupiter and Saturn less so, Uranus and Neptune not much. Venus cloud structure only comes out well if you mix in some UV specific light.

Robert

www.galacticphotography.com

 I found a new DSI Color (original) on ebay...

 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Meade-DSI-Deep-Sky-Imager-Color-CCD-Camera-w-Autostar_W0QQitemZ300234026846QQihZ020QQcategoryZ74926QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I love my DSI, and after a minimal learning curve, I think it will serve me a long time.