Canon EOS 300D

[xstream]

Okay I bit the bullet today guys and went and put one on layby.
It comes with a 18-55mm Lens, Remote control, 512MB C/F and USB flash reader.
I have a couple of questions.

1. Is the lens going to satisfy my needs for Astro aswell as land based photograpy for the time being? (will eventually get an ED80 to piggyback for it's use)
2. Besides a piggyback bracket for it, is there any other accessories you think I'll find necessary or will I have enough to suffice?
Thanks All.

[[1ponders]]

The 18-55 is kinda ok to start with. Its just a straight forward achromate with the attendant issues. Not the best by a long shot but fun to start with. :thumbsup: If you can afford it, get a 50mm f/1.8 lens. They're about $170. Still an achro but much better than the zoom.

IMHO the hardest part of the process is the focusing. It takes time to focus, snap an image, check the focus, refocus, snap another image etc, etc. It's was enough to get me pulling your hair out. Fortunately I have plenty. Then I came across DSLR Focus. What a Godsend for my astigmatic eyes. Bit of a learning curve with it, but $45 US really well spent. It still takes time to focus, so that doesn't change, but the refocus results appear on your laptop in about 4 sec with various graphs and figures telling you when your at closest to focus. You don't have to touch anything on the camera except the focus ring.

Also the zoom collar and focus ring are a bit easy to move, so I would sticky tape the zoom colar to the camera body and put a bit of blu-tack against the zoom collar and the focus ring. When I was using it I would always use the lens fully zoomed in or out as the zoom collar would move at times when focusing, hence the sticky tape. With the tape helping to hold the collar (I'd also hold it by hand against its stop when focusing) the blue-tac would give enough resistance to moving the focus ring to make fairly fine adjustments possible. Without it I found I was moving the focus too far all the time. Probably just my thick old fingers not being sensitive enough, but it works for me.

JM2CW

[xstream]

Thanks for the advise Paul. The learning curve is about to start. :prey:

[Striker]

You wont regret it John.....I know nothing about DSLR's but I'm thrilled to have one.

[[1ponders]]

Oh and welcome to the club :thumbsup:

[xstream]

I hope your right Tony, I hope your right. :D

Thanks Paul. :)

I reckon it should be fun once I start. :)

[seeker372011]

congratulations ..you will love it

[iceman]

How much did it set you back John? One day I'll get a DSLR..

[acropolite]

John, if you check ebay there's a guy that sells from Melbourne and has the 50mm f1.8 canon lens for around $134 + postage (shipped from Melbourne) As Paul said the 18-55's not bad, especially for the price bundled with a kit. Did you layby the 300D or 350D; depending on cost, it would be worth the extra dollars to get the 350D. I don't think the 300D has mirror lockup without a firmware hack, but I believe the 350D does and the extra resolution is handy if only for cropping. The 350D also has the ability to write a seperate raw file in addition to JPG at the time of capture http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/ and http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/digimage/canon_350d.html reviews the 350D and gives a summary of the differences between it and the 300D. http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/10d300dlenses.html has good info on the various lenses for the EOS/D range. If your'e getting an adapter for your LX90 you may be interested in the shorty adapter from scopestuff www.scopestuff.com (http://www.scopestuff.com) in the US; it will allow the EOS to clear the forks (at least without a focal reducer). (Thanks to Trufflehunter) Here's the part numbers just in case.
#TASS - SCT T-adapter for Direct Photography, Short (collar ring type)
#TTCE - Camera to T-thread Ring for Canon EOS
Post from the US cost $15 (I also got a dew strap and some shorty collimation knobs)
Baader also make an adapter which I think is even shorter than the Scopestuff one at a bit more cost.
:D

[xstream]

$1400 Mike.

[xstream]

It was the 300D Phil, I couldn't justify the extra $500 TSHMBO I reckon I was lucky being allowed the 300. :)

[acropolite]

John, FYI, Teds currently have an offer for the 350D for $1499 after cashback from Canon. You would need a C/F card (I bought a 1G for $140) The remote's not very expensive for the 350D and the flash reader's not necessary. BTW the 350D is USB2 whereas the 300D is 1.1
http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/displayproduct/1411234_1005803_.html

[xstream]

Thanks Phil, But by the time I add on extra lens (50mm) C/F card, remote, I forgot to mention 5 year warranty I'm back to square one again at least this way I'm closer to getting the ED 80 aswell.

[[1ponders]]

At the mention of the 300D hack, I've been using it since I bought my 300D and have had not one problem. Be aware though installing the firmware will void your warranty. So if you decide to install the hack, have a backup of the original firmware to reinstall if you need to send your camera back for repairs. Assuming you are able to reinstall if your camera breaks.

[Rodstar]

I'm turning green with envy John. Feel free to do some imaging on my scope at SPSP in 2006! (As long as I have some say in the subject matter!!) Have lots of fun. Will Anna get any access to the LX90 in the next month?

[cventer]

I can second the vouch for the 300D mirror lock hack.

I have been usingit on my 300D sinc eit came out. nearly 12 months now and its worked flawlessly.

Best Regards
Chris Venter

[xstream]

It'll be at least a month before I pick it up Rod. She spent all the money on two new eyepieces in the last few weeks TV 32mm Wide Field and 9mm T6 Nag so I'll have to wait a bit. :)

I'll keep in mind what you have mentioned Paul, I may PM you when the time comes. :D

[Rodstar]

John, sounds like there are many reasons to set up next to you at Ilford! What's the focal length on the LX90, and how do the TV32mm and Nag9mm perform?

[acropolite]

John wrote You missed the guidescope, wedge, LX90 APM and toucam, as well as some add on electronics for guiding...:D

[xstream]

Focal length is 2000mm
The 32mm is magic I think it'll end being her most used EP at 63 deg AFOV, nice crisp clear image right to the edge of field. As for the 9mm haven't had a clear night yet where we can try it out. :(

[toetoe]

Good one John, Sounds like you and Anna are in for the long haul now getting into astro imaging :poke: :D

[Rodstar]

John, my focal length is 2500mm. 32mmEP should work a treat in my scope as well.... :whistle:

[xstream]

I'm sure Anna will let you borrow it Rod. All you'll have to do is pry it away from her eye first.:D

[Iddon]

ebay seems to have some good prices on the 300D.

[acropolite]

The problem with Ebay prices is that most ship from Hong Kong, they charge the earth for freight then you may be slugged with customs duty and GST plus you have no Australian warranty.