Orion Nebula with the new Mallincam DS 2.3+

I just received my new Mallincam DS 2.3+. Unlike other Mallicams, this camera uses a 1/2" 1920 x 1280 progressive scan CMOS chip. While the chip has less sensitivity than many of the other Mallincams, it offers a combination of good sensitivity and high resolution. Tonight, I tested it out under a fill moon on the Orion Nebula.

This image was taken with the VRC 6, the DS 2.3, a UHT filter and .5x focal reducer. While moonlight was a factor, this 40-second integration shows a lot of fine detail in the nebula that is not captured by the more sensitive, but lower resolution cameras (compare it to my last Jr Pro EX image). However, the video cameras offer superb "live" performance capabilities, so this camera will never replace my Xtreme, Jr Pro EX or DSm. Instead, it gives me the ability to do imaging more like standard CCD astro photography, but with a much shorter exposure.