Full Spectrum Camera Trials

britgc (Bret) · #1 23-11-2014, 05:22 PM

Hi guys,

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

So Friday I bit the bullet, pulled my 450d apart and removed all the filters.
I had been toying with the idea of just replacing the UV/IR cut filter with one more sensitive to H-alpha ever since I took some sample subs of the Horsehead Nebula a few weeks back, but after doing some reading the flexibility and possibilities that come with full spectrum sensitivity (not just regarding astrophotography) were to appealing in the end, plus it was easier and cheaper - unless I broke something, which I nearly did...

The clouds conveniently disappeared last night so I did a trial run on a few different targets (M42, Carina and the Horsehead/Flame Nebulae) just to see what I could get with 20 minute exposures in my backyard and to compare with the image of M42 I did a few weeks ago which was 2 hours worth of subs from memory.

Did some quick processing this morning in Startools and CS2 and these are the results.
I'm very happy with them given how quick and rough they were, well worth the effort of pulling the camera apart in the end.

First 3 images are approx. 20 minute exposures (30 sec subs @ ISO1600).
Last pic is my image of M42 from a few weeks back (approx. 2 hours worth of 30 sec subs @ISO 1600 with a lot more processing done to it).

Clear skies guys and gals.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #2 23-11-2014, 06:46 PM

Well done on a successful and worthwhile mod. M42 and Eta are excellent and you still have some blues left.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #3 23-11-2014, 08:43 PM

I found on my FULL full spectrum modded Canon1000d (both filters removed and replaced with an Astronomik CLS for std. camera lens focussing) that the recorded spectra response was from 370nm to well out in the NIR.
I'm sure you will get some great results.

britgc (Bret) · #4 23-11-2014, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Well done on a successful and worthwhile mod. M42 and Eta are excellent and you still have some blues left.

Thanks Kevin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin66

I found on my FULL full spectrum modded Canon1000d (both filters removed and replaced with an Astronomik CLS for std. camera lens focussing) that the recorded spectra response was from 370nm to well out in the NIR.
I'm sure you will get some great results.

Thanks for that Ken. I was curious how far below 400nm the sensitivity might extend.

PeterEde (Peter) · #5 23-11-2014, 10:21 PM

Looks awesome. Been playing with removing filters on my 40D

Merlin66 (Ken) · #6 23-11-2014, 10:33 PM

Bret,
the sensitivity of the CCD is the limiting factor.

britgc (Bret) · #7 23-11-2014, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterEde

Looks awesome. Been playing with removing filters on my 40D

Thanks Peter. It looked a bit daunting at first but it was pretty straight forward thankfully.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin66

Bret,
the sensitivity of the CCD is the limiting factor.

Yeh, I did try to get a bit better understanding of sensors but I admit I got lost pretty quick. I'll cross that bridge when I go back to uni haha.

jsmoraes (Jorge) · #8 24-11-2014, 09:00 AM

You can be happy with the modification. It showed that it worths. The image are very beautiful. Natural, with details and sharp colors.

ZeroID (Brent) · #9 24-11-2014, 09:51 AM

Nice pix, I'm going to have to buy another camera and have another go at modding.

wayne anderson (Wayne) · #10 24-11-2014, 07:16 PM

These are great shots Bret, your DIY full spectrum mod seems to have worked well, I have done a DIY full spectrum mod on a Sony Nex-5n and a Sony Nex-3, it is a bit daunting when you have all the internal parts of your DSLR on the table in front of you then you take a deep breath when you turn it on the first time after the mod, it is all worth it when you see the results.

Camelopardalis (Dunk) · #11 24-11-2014, 08:35 PM

Nice one Bret, looks great

haven't been brave enough to hack open my 1100D yet

britgc (Bret) · #12 24-11-2014, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmoraes

You can be happy with the modification. It showed that it worths. The image are very beautiful. Natural, with details and sharp colors.

Thanks Jorge!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroID

Nice pix, I'm going to have to buy another camera and have another go at modding.

Cheers Brent. You should definitely do that

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne anderson

These are great shots Bret, your DIY full spectrum mod seems to have worked well, I have done a DIY full spectrum mod on a Sony Nex-5n and a Sony Nex-3, it is a bit daunting when you have all the internal parts of your DSLR on the table in front of you then you take a deep breath when you turn it on the first time after the mod, it is all worth it when you see the results.

Haha, there were quite a few moments where my heart skipped a beat, but as you said, well worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Nice one Bret, looks great

haven't been brave enough to hack open my 1100D yet

Go for it Dunk! It took me a while to work up the courage too, but it really wasn't all that bad in the end. I took my time with it, read things, then re-read them, then once more just to be sure. Took about 2-3 hours all up.
I followed this guide if you're interested in taking another look. It's based around the 450d but has annotations for various other models including the 1100d

http://dslrmodifications.com/rebelmod450d1.html