What dslr to get?

[spaceinvader]

Hello All

I have been reading these forums (and others) for the last 2 months trying to determine what sort of set up i want for AP. I've decided to get a canon dslr to start. But here's my conumdrum.

Which one? :help:

I was thinking of getting the 1000d, which i can get for $700 with twin lens at jbhifi. Money is not really an issue i was looking to spend about $1k to 1.5k, but i have noticed that quite a few people seem to have had a good experience using the 1000d.



The other models that i have looked at are:

600d
60d(a little cost prohibitive with the twin lens)
and the 1100d
I could find very little information in regards to AP for these models

Any ideas, opinons would be helpful.


Thanks

[jjjnettie]

Why not go second hand?
There is a modded DSLR for sale at the moment in the IIS classifieds.
While it's an older model, the images it will produce will be pretty darn good.

[midnight]

Michael,

Understand you want something primarily for AP?

Do you have an idea on whether you'll use the camera regularly for daytime or more accurately, non AP use?

I have a 40D and just also acquired a modified 40D and I can't stop using it. It's much heavier than the xxxD or xxxxD series which are mainly poly whereas the xx and x series have some metal in the body.

We just acquired a brand new 7D here at work for AU$1400 (body only) direct from Japan. Only had it for 1 week and it blows me away for quality and function. It's ISO performance seems much better than the 40D but I can not comment on it's AP performance at the moment with its smaller pixel dimensions.

As jjj has stated, second hand would be a realistic choice too.

Good luck!

Darrin...

[rcheshire]

Michael. The camera thing can be a dilemma.

http://www.astropix.com/

http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/digital.sensor.performance.summary/

I read both these before deciding on a new camera, Well worth the effort. Besides a range of very useful instruction about imaging.

Hope that helps.

[graham.hobart]

For my two pence worth! I own both unmodified 350D and 450D (and older 1000D) all of which were bought second hand from ebay or off the Ice in Space classifieds.(cheaper without lens kits if you don't need them)
I like both the 1000D and 450D primarily because you can automate the picture taking process using software such as Astrophotographers Tool, and also use the Live View function to help in focus -believe me, this helps tremendously.
The weight of the camera also comes into play depending on your set up. I upgraded my focuser as I found my camera was slipping out of the standard one on my refractor. That was an additional cost.
Batteries between the 1000d and 450d are interchangeable and cheap to buy extra ones. Don't buy a cheap power supply though- I did and it only works when the wind is from the East and there is a full moon!
Also it depends on what you want to photograph.
Planets are very hard to shoot with DSLR's, much better for wider angle big nebula etc.
My advice- go second hand, if you are not going to shoot normal pics with it then buy just the body only. Get a camera T piece to scope adaptor and away you go.
Look for Live view function and SDHC card memory. Once you start blasting those longer exposures and darks etc you will need the memory!
Ebay is good. So is Ice in Space.
Regards
Graham

[Daveskywill]

My recommendation is first a Canon Rebel EOS T2i (550D). It has 18 megapixels. And LiveView with 2 different zoom levels (3 including normal). And you can take movies (MOV format and convert them to AVI) for the Moon or planetary. In still picture Manual mode it can be modified to 12800 ISO possible highest and has low noise they say for its model.

Also its light enough and I recommend APO lenses or a good telescope for the lens.

David

[Grimmeister]

Hi Michael,

I too am new to Astro photography so speak with limited experience, I have purchased a Canon EOS600d and so far am happy with it as it was nice balance between the 550D and the 60D.

I purchased the camera with the twin lense kit as I want to use it for day time as well as AP and if I could suggest you spend the extra cash and get the better lenses say the 18 - 135 mm (the 18-55 and 55 - 250 are very basic lenses). Either that or just get the body and look at a thirdparty lens from Tamron etc as you could pick up a nice wide angle lens reasonably and that would be great for piggy back shots.

So far have a shot of the moon (Video via registax) and also the Lagoon Nebula and happy to show you if you want, just PM me.

Cheers Anthony

[spaceinvader]

I was planning on using it for day time use as well but it is primarily for AP. I currently don't have a scope or mount, was just planning on getting the camera first and pointing it at the sky to get used to the camera.

Is it more the fact that all dslr are capable of AP its just finding the settings(ISO and Exposure length) that suit that camera?

The movable screen on the 600d seems like it might come in handy when attached to a telescope.

[Grimmeister]

Hi Michael,

If planning for use during day time as well, definitly get a better lens for it as mentioned earlier, this will also enhance your tripod mounted wide angle photograpy as well as piggy backed images on your scope/mount when you get one. You can still image for about 20-30 seconds on a good wide angle lens (the 18-55 and 55 - 250 are good to about 15 seconds max).

In regards to all DSLR's for AP, yes and no. Based on the books "Digital SLR Astrophotography" by Michael A Covington and "A Beginners Guide to DSLR Astrophotography" by Jerry Lodriguss, (I strongly recommend getting these as they are very informative) both Nikon and Canon are comparable however due to the Canon 20Da (no longer in production) Canon got a real foot up in the AP community and as such almost all software made these days is targeted at the Canon range of Cameras.

Also Nikon have a nice little feature called the star eater that is still to be sorted out in their firmware (as the name implies this is a dark frame subtraction processing on camera that "eats" the stars as it thinks they are hot pixels effecvtively stuffing your image) and while there are ways to get around this problem it is less than ideal, so I would suggest a Canon for that reason unless you have a specific need in a Nikon.

Yes the Swivel screen (on the 600D and 60D) is handy however it still has limited rotation and often ends up upside down orientation when popped out (the screen orientation changes direction depending on the screens position) but still better than gettin on your knees.

I found when looking the 600D had almost all the same features as the 60D (except the Penta Prisim, the faster continuos image rates and bigger battery) at less price, so it won for me.

A good site to make a comparison of Cameras side by side is http://www.dpreview.com/ and specifically the link http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras.

Also a good thing for the Canon range of cameras is the EOS software, it comes included with the camera and allows you to control almost every aspect of imaging via a Laptop such as ISO, Exposure Times etc etc where as the Nikon I believe have this as an optional paid extra.

Happy Times

Anthony

[Grimmeister]

Hi Michael,

Just saw this thread http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=79534 and thought you may be interested, they are usins a 600D as well and seem to be happy with it also.

Cheers

Anthony

[RobF]

You'd be hard pressed to do better than the 20d for sale as JJJ said:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=79810

Many people think Canon has never produced finer cameras for AP since this era. Liveview is very helpful if you can get it, and you won't get HD video until later cameras (shouldn't be an issue though from what you've described as your need).

Big bonus for AP to buy a modded camera, although for daytime use you'll have to do white balance adjustments (worth reading up on). The beauty of buing a good 2nd hand camera here is you shouldn't lose out much on resale in the future if you continue to look after it.

Weight and mounting options are worth considering too. I'm happy with my 450D as it's significantly light on my scope than the stronger but heavier XX series cameras (let alone the top line X cameras). Have you had an SLR on the scope yet?

[TheDecepticon]

If you want something primarily for AP, buy a dedicated astro cam. If you want to take daytime shots, buy a DSLR. It will always be a compromise otherwise.:sadeyes:

This is only my opinion.:rolleyes:

[stephenb]

(:lol::lol: Yep that was my 450D, and I passed Michael's in the CBD less than a month later and picked up another one :lol: Oh well Graham got a good bargain. )

As J said, why not a second hand? Both of my 450D's were mint, mint condition in the window of Michaels and Camera Action in Elizabeth St Melbourne. Take a wander in there and the have some good bargains + very helpful service (Michaels in particular).

I am more than happy with this model and I was able to fit a 75-300mm lens, some filters and accessories into my budget.

I do also use it for daytime use and that is something you need to keep in mind, as others have said.

Regards,
Stephen

Stephen

[Grimmeister]

Hi Michael,

I found this thread for a canon for sale second hand, has been modded so no good for day time use, but is cheap considering what you get with it http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=79810 (EDIT Just saw Robs comment on this one)

Also saw this for sale at Astro buy and sell http://www.astrobuysell.com/au/propview.php?view=1734 and thought you may be interested.

Cheers

Anthony

[GlassHammer]

Hi Michael,
As with previous suggestions I would personally opt for a second hand body rather than buy a new one with kit lenses.
The reason being the image quality you get won't really be worth the extra money you're paying for the included lenses.

If your main use is AP all you'll need is the body, the t ring and the t adaptor and you're ready for prime focus AP.
Then if you want to start piggy-backing or start "terrestrial" photography you could then opt for a prime 50mm lens like the EF f1.4 whose optics will be far better than the kit lenses provided with the 1000D.

Happy shooting!

[RobF]

+1 what Ben said
A 50mm prime lens is just so great to have in terms of image clarity and ability to take great shots in lower lights. VERY handy on the field at night too :)

[clem]

I have a 600D and am happy with it. The swivel LCD does save your back and knees and helps with composing and focusing your shot. But if you are using your laptop and the camera control software that comes with a Canon DSLR, the swivel LCD is kind of moot.

The video function of a 600D camera is capable of imaging planets, just check out what settings to use in the other forums.

I have seen a few good AP images made that used a Canon 1000D and the good thing is there are a lot of good second hand units out there and you might want to modify it yourself. ;)

[graham.hobart]

I just astro-modified my 450D (thanks Stephenb!!) last night; took me about 3 hours, now I am collecting kit together for the Gary Honis Peltier cooler mod. Watch this space for new astro pics with modded 450D now!!
Graham