Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Greetings All,
Just seeking some advice on the suitability of the Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM Lens for astro photography. I have noted some very nice wide field images on the IIS forums that have been taken with the higher quality and expensive L series Lens's.
I recently purchased a Canon 450D with a EF S 17-85mm IS USM Lens. At this stage I don't intend modifying the 450D. It will be used prime focus on a 16" F4.5 Newt and I want to see how that turns out before considering any mods.
I was thinking about the 70-300 for general use and wondered if anyone on IIS had used it piggyback for Astro work.
Regards
Trevor
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Hi Trevor,
I haven't used the 70-300mm but I did some widefield stuff with the 17-85mm lens.
Below is a link to a pic of the Large Magellanic Cloud done with the 17-85mm @ 85mm...
http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/e...300sec-Hig.jpg
Wasn't too impressed with the colour and resolution from this lens, camera was unmodded at the time.
Compare this with the same object taken with a 70-200mm f4L lens at 70mm...
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k...current=23.jpg
Camera was modded so unfair comparison perhaps, but resolution and colour correction of non H alpha stuff is still obviously better I reckon.
I think you would get similar performance to the 17-85mm with the 70-300mm lens but that's not based on first hand knowledge/experience though.
The 70-200mm f4L is probably the most cost effective entry into the L series of lenses. I got mine 2nd hand for $650 and I love it.
I'm sure you wouldn't regret purchasing it for day or night work.
Good luck
Doug
