This page talks about the QHY8 CCD camera and workflow. Pictures from the camera are are here. I acquired the QHY8 CCD camera in Sept 2008. (I have the version sold by Starzonia. Beware that there are multiple versions of this camera sold by vendors world-wide, so your camera may well be different than mine).
I am using the recommended workflow in Nebulosity and then use Registar and Photoshop:
Capture in Raw (using 5 minute sub exposures)
Apply a Bad Pixel Map
Apply a Flat and Bias
Demosaic each image
Covert to Tiff format
Stack using Registar
Process in Photoshop
Camera details: It is a large-format (APS-size) one-shot color camera with a 28mm diagonal chip size. Some info: * Total pixel: 3110 x 2030 * Active pixels: 3032 x 2016 * Pixel Size: 7.8um x 7.8um square * Color method: RGB BAYER film on CCD * Effective sensor area: 28.4 mm diagonal * Readout noise: 8-12 e @600 Kpixel/s * QE: 60% at green (Peak), 50% at blue and H-alpha * Microlensing on chip * Progressive Scan * ABG: -110dB * 16bit ADC with CDS and Preamp * USB2.0 High Speed interface * T-thread mounting * Rugged custom-fit Pelican carrying case * Includes both AC and 12v DC adapters * Dimensions: 3.5" x 3.5" x 2.25" * Weight: 1.2 lbs.(0.55 kg).
Additional info on the camera experience (astro geek ramblings): I've had a few struggles getting used to the camera and the new capture/processing methods associated with a CCD. I have upgraded from DSLR Astro-imaging, but have a lot of image processing experience. So far I'm finding the "out of the camera" colors are more muted out of the CCD vs my DSLR, due to the use of "raw" processing I think, with the associated need for extreme stretching. Out of the Canon DSLRs, I would do a non-linear stretch out of ImagesPlus and start with a more colorful image. The bottom line is it took 3 deep-dive processing exercises to get a PacMan version I liked.
Updated notes: I ran into the streaking problem some users experience when using the stock drivers. This seems to be caused by a failure to handle activity or delays on the USB bus while downloading an image from the camera. Some users have this problem and others don't. (There is a posting on the qhyccd.com site that discusses this problem and shows some code that fixes it.) Fortunately, for me this problem does not exist when using Tom's libusb drivers. Summing up, what I have found is that Tom's drivers with Nebulosity 2.0.6 is working well and that's what I would recommend to others. The nuance is that you need to select a different camera in Nebulosity based on which drivers you use.
Earlier, outdated notes: I'm initially began using the "stock" drivers and "Nebulosity" software (v2.03b) to capture images with great success. I tried the "beta drivers" and found the fine focus function did not work. (Others have reported this issue does not exist with later versions of Nebulosity and I am working fine with Nebulosity 2.0.6.) I also had an initial issue with the camera where it captured completely black images. This turned out to be caused by the "SVHS style" cable not being plugged into the camera completely.
Do Not Mix Driver Output: I have found that images output from one version of the drivers versus the other are not compatible in Nebulosity when using Raw processing.
Mounting a camera lens to the QHY8: I bought an SBIG Nikon lens adaptor (SBIG CLA-7 for Nikon, part SB-CLA7NK at OPT). It did not come to focus with my 18mm Nikon lens, but did with my 55mm Nikon micro lens. I would like to hear about other's experiences with mounting camera lenses to the QHY8, email me here.
For more info on this camera go to: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/QHYCCD/ and http://qhyccd.com/QHY8.html/