First light image 450D 12-Megapixel Digital SLR

[PhotonCollector]

Well I received the new 12 megapixel modified Canon 450D and this is the first light image under a bright Moon lit sky (poor conditions).

The Canon 450D Rebel XSi is modified with a clear wideband filter. I used a 2" Baader IR cut filter and an Astronomik 2" CLS filter.

I am impressed with the first image - it's a good start and should be impressive when dark skies return. The camera appears very sensitive to H-alpha and incredibly low noise. Though I will need a few more imaging sessions to really see what it can do.

Pity about the coma being caused by the field reducer/flattener, I'll go back to using the Baader Coma Corrector next time. I haven't worried too much about colour balance in this image - looks at bit off.

The imaging scope is a William Optics 110mm refractor on a tripod mounted Losmandy G-11 equatorial mount with Gemini 4.

You can see a 25% reduction of the image here
http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/Eta_Carina_080515.html

Autoguided with SBIG 402 on Orion ST-80 f/5 guidescope with CCDOps.
10 x 4-minute exposures @ ISO 400.
Total Exposure time 40-minutes.
Astronomik 2" CLS filter,
Baader 2" I/R Cut Filter,
WO 0.8x Field reducer/corrector Mk III.
Processing Darks, bias and flat-fielded with ImagesPlus, post processing in Photoshop.

[Shawn]

I would be very happy with that. well done...;)

[iceman]

That's excellent, Paul.. a new modded 450D! Very exciting indeed.

It'll be a huge leap up from the 300D i'm sure. I can't wait to see more results.

[Prickly]

Gee whiz, thats an amazing outcome isnt it.

Certainly another option to the QHY8.

Fantastic result and thanks for posting it.

Cheers
David

[Lester]

Top image, looks very stunning.

Well done Paul.

[dugnsuz]

Very nice first light from the 450D - opened up the image in PS to take a peek.
There's heaps of data under the red channel in Levels - almost too much for this poor boy to cope with!!!:P
Very keen to see these modded pic results as my 40D is off being operated on too.
Can't wait to see some more
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[PhotonCollector]

You got that right ! This camera seems to be super-sensitive - but really it is a case of "time will tell" as this is only first attempt and under a bright Moon.

cheers

[PhotonCollector]

Hey Iceman,

Yes quite exciting and yes a big leap from the ole' 300D.
I also can't wait to see more results :)

regards

[tornado33]

Top stuff, cant wait to see more under dark skies
Scott

[Matty P]

Great image Paul, I love the colour.

Keep 'em coming.

:thumbsup:

[leon]

You should be impressed, that is a top image, well done indeed.

Leon

[Garyh]

Very impressive first light shot Paul
Look forwards to more from the new 450D
cheers Gary

[Ric]

Great shot Paul, very enjoyable to view.

Cheers

[jase]

Great FOV. Shame about field flatness. Certainly showing potential. Well done.

[PhotonCollector]

Hi all,

thanks again for all the comments. I've re-processed the image and this time I think it is much more true to colour than the initial attempt at processing the 14-bit images - which incidentially are huge - the final image is circa 100-Megabytes in 16-bit TIFF format.

Here's a 25% reduction of the original http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/Eta_Carina_080515.html

cheers

[Chippy]

Superb!!!

I found myself without any planning - looking at things with 40D, 400D and 450D printed on them today while I was at the shops. I am fully against getting into imaging just yet by the way... huh, what's going on here...?