From: sesnyder@mars.lerc.nasa.gov (David B. Snyder)
Subject: Re: CCD camera
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 12 Apr 1992 16:03 EDT  

In article <1cvj1t_.benoit@netcom.com>, benoit@netcom.com (BENOIT SCHILLINGS) writes...
>I'm thinking of buying a ccd camera for my ultima 8 and have few questions
>related to those receptors.
> 
>Comparing the lynx and the ST-4, the big difference is that the
>first is outputing some 12 bits data, the st-4 only some 8 bits data.
> 
>Does it really worth the difference.
>Also the lynx has a 1/100 sec shutter, the st-4 ??? i don't know.
> 
>It seems that the st-4 is the only ccd which doesn't need a PC slot.
>Are there any other manuf. using the parallel or serial port ?
>The reason is that i need to use this ccd on a Macintosh and on a PC (portable).
> 
>Is there any other ccd i should look at ?
> 
>My main usage would be some planetary imaging.
> 
> 
>Thanks,		Benoit

Another camera you might consider is from:
J&R Engineering Associated
(or CCD Technologies)
2938 S.Daimler St, Suite 104
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714)633-6985

They had ads in Oct 1991, Dec 1991, (and Aug 1991?) Sky and Telescope.
Though I have not seen any ads since.  I ordered one from them at the 
end of the year.  At the time they said delivery would take 2 mo. 
instead it took 3 mo, and my order isn't completely filled yet.  I'm 
still missing a T-adapter.  

I spent $350 for a cooled camera with a few accesories.  This camera 
has a couple specific features that I wanted because I intend to use 
it with a T1000SE.  (1) It plugs into the parallel port.  I haven't timed 
how long it takes to do a download, but the specified 3 sec doesn't seem 
too far off.  (2) I wanted to be able to use CGA graphics.

Apparently it uses the same chip as the other cameras you mentioned.  
It may be a bit larger, its about as big as a 35mm camera.  I'm not 
sure the refrigerator isn't on backwards.  The cooling fins face the 
body of the camera rather than out.

I have only played with it a few hours so I am probably still doing 
things wrong.  The camera appears to work, but I have not yet managed 
to get a focused image.  Rumor has it that focusing requires a great 
deal of patience.  CGA rentering cannot do the image justice.  So I 
think what the software is doing is cycling the four colors giving 
something that looks like a contour map.  It will take some getting 
used to.

As for the company, when I first tried to call them last September I 
could not get an answer.  In December I tried again and got through.  
They sent me some literature.  I placed an order through the mail. At 
the time they did not take credit cards.  I received an written 
acknowledgement (sp?), and shipping was promised for the begining of 
March.  At the beginning of April, I stated making calls to find out 
the status of the order.  After a week of calls I was told the order 
had shipped. and a few days later it arrived.

Summary so far:  This camera has some unique features that I felt I 
needed, and it cost about half of what I expected to pay.  On the 
other hand, The company is new and I'm not certian it is stable yet.  

David Snyder,  email: snyder@ronin.lerc.nasa.gov
note: since this editor (and writter?) is damaged,
      above "CGA rentering" should be "CGA rendering"