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Old 14-05-2014, 12:09 PM
glend (Glen)
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Best Value Used DSLR?

I am looking for a low cost entry point to imaging and through research tend to think a second hand DSLR might be a good starting point. Can I get some recommendations on older model DSLRs that are obtainable in the market?
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Old 14-05-2014, 02:53 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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IMHO I'd try to find a 450D (or newer) or a 1000D.
Add a 2" to T2 nosepiece and a remote control and you're well on your way.
(I have and use a std. 450D and a fully modded 1000D. They work very well!)
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Old 14-05-2014, 07:05 PM
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The highly popular Canon 1100D is fairly cheap for body only units. I don't own one but there are many incredibly astro pics taken with this humble camera.
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Old 14-05-2014, 07:27 PM
gb44 (Glenn)
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I know of a Canon 350d for sale for $99. What prices have you seen?
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Old 14-05-2014, 07:51 PM
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The 1100D is definitely preferable over the 1000D, 14bit vs 12bit, and has lower noise (Digic 4 vs Digic III processor)
The 450D is also 14bit but is Digic III, so reports that the 1100D has less noise could be right.

Often on sale body-only for $270 new, the 1100D is the best bang for buck out there.

Other advantages of the 1100D over the 450D:
Shoots video(if you want to try planetary imaging)
Longer battery life
Slightly greater dynamic range
Higher ISO options (6400 vs 1600)
Lighter

450D advantages, has slightly larger screen(tho the same resolution) and sensor cleaning.
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Old 14-05-2014, 09:00 PM
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JB80 (Jarrod)
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My vote would go to the 450D, for some reason I can't open any of the Gary Honis bookmarks but he has some detailed comparisons on his site and one of the things that swayed me when I got mine was the 450D was the winner as far a noise was concerned, actually it may of been the 500D but that was out of the price range for me.

That said I don't think there was much between the 450D and 1100D so the difference is probably negligible.

The 1100D has video capture I think, the 450 doesn't.
The 450D has sensor clean and the 1100 doesn't.
The 1100 has more ISO range.
The 450 a bigger screen.
The 450D should be cheaper.

The 350D doesn't have live view which is a biggy, it's not essential but it is certainly recommended.
Also don't underestimate the sensor clean, I have never had to take more than a rocket blower near the sensor to remove dust on my 450D and I maybe have only done that at most 4 or 5 times all up as opposed to almost a weekly task on my 20D with cleaning swabs which ended up in putting a scratch on the sensor cover.
Personally I wont buy a camera without the sensor clean function again.

I think either the 450D or 1100D are your choice. You will be happy with either one.

Last edited by JB80; 14-05-2014 at 09:15 PM.
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Old 14-05-2014, 09:12 PM
gb44 (Glenn)
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Have a look at Hutech too. Camera and modifications for astrophotography all in one. The articulated LCD screen on the 600d/T3i is great.

http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/prices/canon.htm
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Old 15-05-2014, 09:02 AM
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Octane (Humayun)
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Get a 40D.

H
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Old 15-05-2014, 12:04 PM
glend (Glen)
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Thank you for all the suggestions. I have located a 450d and its free! Turns out my son has one sitting in his closet in Brisbane gatheing dust. I happened to mention I was looking for one.

Now what sort of remote control is needed?
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Old 15-05-2014, 12:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glend View Post
Thank you for all the suggestions. I have located a 450d and its free! Turns out my son has one sitting in his closet in Brisbane gatheing dust. I happened to mention I was looking for one.

Now what sort of remote control is needed?
I use one of these, and for the price it does the job great.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Timer-Shu...dd91009&_uhb=1
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Old 15-05-2014, 01:02 PM
raymo
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You can get an intervalometer dirt cheap on ebay; extra useful for
astrophotography, saves you standing at the camera operating the
camera manually. You also need a T-ring for attaching your camera to the scope for prime focus work. You'll have to buy another adaptor if you
want to do eyepiece projection, but that;s probably a little further down
the track.
raymo
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Old 15-05-2014, 02:19 PM
glend (Glen)
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I see that there are a few different kinds of T adaptors, Ultra-wides, even a Televue (appropriately priced I am sure). Is the ultra wide increased aperture worth it over a cheaper T adaptor?
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Old 15-05-2014, 02:43 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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Glen,
As I said earlier...
get a T2 to Canon adaptor and a 2" to T thread adaptor - these will allow you to mount the DSLR on your scope.
I use a TC-80n controller.....
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Old 15-05-2014, 05:34 PM
glend (Glen)
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Ken, thanks, I understood what you said and how T adaptors work, and I have ordered it from Bintel. I was just curious about the advertising for the speciality one piece wide mouth adaptors like this one

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Telescope...p2054897.l4275

that seem to offer larger aperture carry into the camera than the standard t thread system. Perhaps it's just marketing hype as I am sure people here would know about it if there was any real benefit.

Last edited by glend; 15-05-2014 at 06:39 PM.
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Old 15-05-2014, 06:43 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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Glen,
I understand the concept...use a 2" adaptor straight into the Canon flange. I'm not sure it adds anything...
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Old 15-05-2014, 07:37 PM
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MrB (Simon)
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Glen, I don't believe the wide mouth adapter will be of any advantage for the 450D's crop sensor's 26.7mm diagonal.
However, full frame sensors like the 5D and 6D etc have a sensor that is ~43mm on the diagonal, which is larger than an M42 T adaptors clear aperture of ~39mm.

Last edited by MrB; 15-05-2014 at 07:47 PM.
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Old 15-05-2014, 07:47 PM
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mithrandir (Andrew)
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You don't really need it for a crop sensor, even Sony which has the least crop. The advantage it has is it removes one more threaded connection, and you can screw a 2" filter into the adapter. cncsupply sell a clear filter that will act as a dust protector.

I've got both the undercut and no undercut versions for my Sony gear and I find the no undercut more secure.
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Old 16-05-2014, 05:48 AM
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Octane (Humayun)
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Simon, do you mean the image circle is 43mm?

The diagonal of the sensor on our 5D, 6D and 1Ds/1D X's are 35mm.

H
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Old 16-05-2014, 06:18 AM
pw (Peter)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane View Post
Simon, do you mean the image circle is 43mm?

The diagonal of the sensor on our 5D, 6D and 1Ds/1D X's are 35mm.

H
That makes no sense, the 35mm frame measures 36 x 24 mm and the diagonal is 43.3.
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Old 16-05-2014, 07:30 AM
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35mm film refers to the width of the film roll: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35_mm_film

The diagonal for full frame (35mm film) is 43.3mm and the diagonal for APS-c cameras is 30.1mm.

On another note, I'd consider the Nikon D5100 at ~$315 to be very good value.

Cheers,
Cam
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