To Upgrade to CCD or Mod DSLR

[glend]

Before I pull the trigger on the purchase of a QHY12 camera I need to get some feedback from the 'been there - done that' brigade.

I worried by the 'maybe' low return on investment (or the value proposition) of a CCD compared to a DSLR mod, and the processing complexity learning curve and time required factors. It's a major $ investment for a retiree, time I have.

I have this Canon 450D (un-modded) sitting here that I have been using for the last couple of years. Target objects are mainly DSOs, on my 10" imaging newt (f5, guided). The alternatives I see to the QHY12 are:

1. Getting the 450D modded for astro (or trying to DIY it), cost maybe $150;
2. Buy a Canon 60Da (astro model) which can apparently still be bought in the US for around $1500 - a big savings compared to the QHY12.

Questions:

1. Would the Canon 60Da really give me any more capability than a modded 450D ( I am not convinced)?

2.. Is this a classic case of diminishing returns on investment? Where the incremental improvements in image quality come at an ever increasing cost, and the goal posts are moving as the technology improves; and we get caught up in pursuing an imaging nirvana.

I would love to wander around the imaging ground at IISCA to look at what people are doing (and using) but can't get there.

Input appreciated.

thanks
Glen

[rustigsmed]

Glen,

if you are looking at OSC why not look at something like the central ds range (modified UV/IR and professionally cooled dslr conversions) and save yourself some cash. you are familiar with canons and perhaps byeos .

http://www.centralds.net/cam/?post_type=product
the cds-600d seems to offer amazing performance for the price.

Cheers,

Rusty

[John K]

The other alternative is to get your 450D cooled and modified.

This is the path I am following - my camera is already modified, so next step it getting it cooled.

If I was going to spend that type of cash for a QHY12 camera, I would go mono because that is where the improvement is but also more work!

[clive milne]

Another option to consider is a Quantix 6303e camera

[traveller]

Yes, this is a good way to go if want to dip your toes in the water. I have a modded dslr and am happy with the results it can generate.
Bo

[glend]

Thanks for those responses guys. Since I wrote that this morning I decided to go ahead and mod the 450D, and it's already done. I followed the excellent Gary Honis prictorial on modding the 450D and removed the UV/IR Cut filter (and did not replace it with anything) but left the 1st Pass Filter in place for now (I didn't have a clear glass piece to put in there). I do have a Baader 2" screw in UV/IR Cut filter that seems to run from UV 400nm out to 680 nm so I could put that on my camera adaptor if I need it. It will get tested on the 10" Imaging Newt when the weather permits, and I might stick it on the ED80 APO as well. I am not worried about missing elements and focus because all my work is manually focused and it won't be used for anything other than imaging.