#1  
Old 22-08-2012, 08:27 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Camera

I'm sure this has been covered in the forum before but with 106 pages of threads I thought it easier to ask again. My old point and shoot camera has finally died. I've always wanted to buy a better quality camera for normal snaps of holidays and of the kids ect and now I'm into astronomy.I think I would like to have a go at DSLR astrophotography in the future.Your images are amazing. I only have a bit of a play with a modded SPC900NC at the moment. I'm wondering what would be a good camera for both normal pics and astrophotography. I like what I have heard about the canons but I see so many different prices. I thought a camera with higher MP was better but I have seen a 18MP camera cheaper than a 12MP camera that was over a grand. I'm confused over the features I would need in the future. Also I have seen a lot of comparing between modded and unmodded cameras. If a camera is modified is still good for normal photography? Hope you guys and girls can point me toward a good camera. Thanks Cam.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22-08-2012, 08:51 PM
barx1963's Avatar
barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

barx1963 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mt Duneed Vic
Posts: 3,978
Hi Cam
The reason that Canon have been prominent in Astro work is two fold.
1) Nikons for a long time had an overly agressive noise reduction that would detect stars as noise and eat them out of images. Not sure if this is still the case but it was for a long time.
2) Canon has made the only 2 dedicated astro DSLRs out the (the old 20Da and the new 60Da)

The 60Da can be had for $1600-$1700 so if your budget stretches that far it is worth a look. I gather it is still usable for daylight use, but I would defer to others that have tried to offer an opinion.
The size of the sensor is not the major factor in pricing DSLR camera. For example the 5d MkIII is 22.3mp and costs arond $4k while the 1Dx is 18Mp and costs up to $7500.

I have a book on DSLR imaging with lots of useful info I can lend you if you wish!

Malcolm
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22-08-2012, 09:10 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Yes thanks Malcolm. I'm still confused about cameras tho :-)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22-08-2012, 09:14 PM
barx1963's Avatar
barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

barx1963 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mt Duneed Vic
Posts: 3,978
There is an article on the Canon 60D (Not the 60Da!) here http://www.iceinspace.com.au/93-697-0-0-1-0.html

May be of interest.

Malcolm
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22-08-2012, 09:30 PM
Screwdriverone's Avatar
Screwdriverone (Chris)
I have detailed files....

Screwdriverone is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kellyville Ridge, NSW Australia
Posts: 3,306
Hi Cam,

For Canon's the general rule is: the smaller the number, the bigger the price.....

E.g A Canon 1D > $7500, but a Canon 1100D is more like $500-750.

A lot of people here have bought the 1100D recently and I myself use an unmodded 1000D which doesnt do a half bad job.....

My son has a 550D but I havent bothered yet trying that on the scope as I want to wring the 1000D for all its worth before getting any sort of camera type "aperture" or "model" envy.....

As a rule, the filter that is in place for daytime photography kills a lot of nighttime nebulosity as it doesnt let the Hydrogen types of spectra through. I have an EOS CLS clip which I insert for AP and this seems to help a LOT and cut down on skyglow. Easy to remove too so the camera can be used in daytime with no dramas.

The 60Da was on my shopping list as its MADE to be a daytime camera but has a modified filter that lets the Ha and other spectrum through for better AP response.

If you have a lazy $1600, go for the 60Da, no mods needed.

Cheers

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23-08-2012, 07:17 AM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Thanks guys
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23-08-2012, 08:22 AM
niko's Avatar
niko
Registered User

niko is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 1,053
Cam,

I started with a secondhand Canon 350D (can't remember what it cost but probably $400). I used it unmodded for astro and of course daytime stuff.

I was really pleased with the results it gave for astro and gave faithful service for years.

I got a T-ring and an extension tube and off I went. All the software I used was freeware.

I've moved up to a Canon 1100D (basically the new entry level Canon) and a mate kindly modded a 1000D for me.

I'm sure the budget is tight. You could do worse than an entry level Canon either new or secondhand from a trusted source.

Good luck

niko
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23-08-2012, 10:52 AM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Thanks niko
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23-08-2012, 11:12 AM
ZeroID's Avatar
ZeroID (Brent)
Lost in Space ....

ZeroID is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 4,949
I've been using my KM Dynax 7D but I'm looking to get a Canon 450D or better. The main reason is that Canon seem to have better software and the LiveView capability suited to astro purposes. The ability to view, focus and control from a PC is just too good.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23-08-2012, 12:20 PM
jenchris's Avatar
jenchris (Jennifer)
Registered User

jenchris is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ormeau Gold Coast
Posts: 2,067
I was looking at a breakdown of Canons recently and the one that came up best for noise was the 450D (which I feel was a lucky thing for me as I already have one!) even better than the 500 and 600Ds
It is also quite light and takes quite good 12mpx pics (well let's just say the camera is still performing better than I).
I bought it on this forum from someone who had a better cam.
They can be bought second hand for reasonable prices too.
Body only is possible too if you only do AP but I use mine (as you intend to) for terrestrial photography.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23-08-2012, 12:22 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
OK is there much difference between these two cameras to warrant the extra $200? Seems to have the same lense does 6MP make that much difference? I realise its Ebay but they are in Australia offer returns and have a 12 mth warranty. Are these prices good? Thanks Cam

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Canon...item20bccd876d


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Canon...item1e62c626f0
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23-08-2012, 12:27 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Thanks Jennifer, I'll check them out, Brent mentioned the 450d too. Thanks guys
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23-08-2012, 06:53 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Forgot to put in a budget. I'm hoping to spend about $600 for camera and at least one lens. I may be able to stretch a little further if I need to. I dont mind 2nd hand as long as it is in good condition and hasnt been used too much.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 23-08-2012, 07:11 PM
Poita (Peter)
Registered User

Poita is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NSW Country
Posts: 3,586
I'd buy the QHY8 in the classifieds, and save up and get a DSLR later. If you are new to DSLR photography, then a model from a few years ago will do you just fine.

You can pick up a Canon 10D with a lens for like $250, and it will outdo your skills for a number of years. But a QHY8 or similar astro camera will really do a fantastic job and you won't be fighting sensor noise, lack of Ha sensitivity etc. etc.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 23-08-2012, 07:21 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Thanks for your input Peter, something else to consider. This is more confusing for me than I expected.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 23-08-2012, 07:47 PM
Geoff45's Avatar
Geoff45 (Geoff)
PI rules

Geoff45 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,631
Just remember that dslr cameras are designed with people doing daylight photography in mind. There are a lot of bells and whistles you will never use in astrophotography. Keep it simple--if it has live focus and raw capture, then it probably also has all the other stuff you will ever need.
Geoff
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 23-08-2012, 08:33 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Thanks Geoff .. Love your quote from 1947. "A good eyepiece is not cheap.. It may cost 6 or 7 dollars or more" Too funny
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 23-08-2012, 08:46 PM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Dave thinks he may already have a buyer for the QHY8 :-(
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 05-09-2012, 11:09 AM
SouthPoll's Avatar
SouthPoll (Dallas)
"I Need My Space"

SouthPoll is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lake Tekapo, NZ
Posts: 16
450D Mod

Hi. I just acquired a stock EOS 450D body and did a FULL full sprectrum mod. Took about two hours (incl. coffee break), was fiddly but not too difficult. Total cost NZ$330 ;-)

.....now, about those clear skies.....;-(

D
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 05-09-2012, 11:32 AM
Cam's Avatar
Cam (Cam)
Registered User

Cam is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Maryborough Vic Australia
Posts: 178
Sounds like you got a bargain. So youre to blame for all the cloud lol
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 02:44 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement