Raspberry Pi camera modules

[mbeltoft]

Before buying one of the recommended ZWO cameras, I'd like to ask whether any of the Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 or 3 variants are any good as allsky cameras.

I can see that these are available:
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 NoIR
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 NoIR
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 Wide
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 NoIR Wide

If anybody have tried them I'd like to images from them, please.

[EricClaeys]

I always recommend the RPi HQ camera. It's cheaper than ZWO and IMHO just as good.

The RPi Module 2 is old and has a max exposure of 20 seconds or something too short for an allsky camera.
I have the Module 3 wide. It's ok and cheaper than the HQ, but lower resolution. I bought it so I could test auto-focus and test another RPi camera. I'm not convinced auto-focus is all that useful for an allsky camera since most people focus once and leave it. The Module 3 lens only gives about 120 degree view and I prefer 180 degrees.

The NoIR cameras aren't very good during the day since the colors are off. But some people like them.

[davidpcahill]

The new Raspberry Pi HQ camera is pretty good with an M12 180 degree lens. I wouldn't use anything lower than that personally unless you are going to grab a ZWO.

[mbeltoft]

Thanks!
I think that a 120 degree FOV is better for me, where I can setup the camera. So I don't think I'll go for a 180 degree FOV camera.
Thanks for the tip on the RPi HQ camera.

[EricClaeys]

@mbeltoft The RPi HQ camera is like the ZWO cameras in that you need to supply a lens, so if you want 120 degrees you would buy the appropriate lens. The Module 3 camera has a built-in lens that you can't change.

[mbeltoft]

Yes, I understand that. The glass on the M12 lenses seems a lot bigger than the Module 3, so my gues that the HQ M12 can deliver better images.

[NickW-nz]

Which Module 3 Wide Camera is recommended, the standard or the NoIR? The standard one is sold out where I am (as are HQ's), but there are Module 3 NoIR's still available. From what limited pictures I have seen the NoIR seems to end up with a greenish sky at night. The standard gives a blacker sky with good stars. I don't really care about daytime, just which of the two options is going to give best results at night. I'm hoping some users have experience and can make a recommendation. Thanks

[stevedee]

I have a module 3 Wide Camera, which is fine because I don't have a 180 degree view of the sky from my back yard.
I can't think of any benefit in using a NoIR for this application, so I recommend the standard (colour) camera.
Aurora Borealis can be colourful and the lights from aircraft often include red. And if you don't like colour results, you can always desaturate the images.
The only question mark over the Mod 3 is the noise (mostly red & blue pixels). However, this may be my fault as I damaged FB1 (a ferrite bead on the camera board) and had to remove it, which may be contributing to image noise.

...and the same image desaturated...

...and a [not very good] aurora image...

[EricClaeys]

I agree with @stevedee. I am not sure why anyone gets a NoIR camera for allsky use.