Canon as planetary camera

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

A mate started my curiosity about the quality of Canon with planetaries. I did a test with Moon and Jupiter.
As they are many AVIs, with some options of filters and software for capture... I will publish as soon as they are ready.

As they will be many photos, and there is a limit of 500 Kb for each post ... I will do many posts here. Step by step !

For start point, the adpatation to use my Focal Extender 3x Explore Scientific 1.25" with Canon T3.
I didn't want disassembler all accessories, and I would like to test some filters. Therefore only the OAG is out of service.
Maybe an extensor of 35 mm together the focuser and Focal Extender isn't necessary. I believe that the focuser will have range. Although, in fact, I don't like my focuser positioned much out.


Well, these images are the first of my test.

GSO 305 mm - Canon T3 - Focal Extender 3x Explore Scientific

No filters- 25 % from 500 frames - BackyardEos 5x + AS!2 + Registax 6 + Photoshop CS3
FD: f/14 - Image Scale ~ 0.25"/px
150x in Photoshop - FD equivalent: f/21.4 - Image Scale ~ 0.16"/px


I know that is difficult compare two images from different days and seeing. But I was curious to see a comparison with ASI120MC.


I will publish more images, later.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Hi Jorge,

Good stuff.

Here is some info, apparently the backyard eos 5x feature is the way to go on the T3.
http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTRO...Resolution.HTM

I always thought vonTom (haven't seen him on the forum for a long time) did amazing work with his canon cameras on planetary eg https://www.flickr.com/photos/vontom/6374746577/

I have the same scope as you and agree the focus is a long way out on the f4 scopes. it isn't as bad on my f5 12" SW dob.

btw what type of filter wheel is that?

Cheers

Russ

[Moon (James)]

Jorge,
Thanks for posting this. I got asked this exact question not long ago. It's great to have side by side results.
James

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

Russel, excuse me, this was BackyardEos panetary mode with 5x - it was not FireCapture. FireCapture hasn't support for Canons
I did others with BackyardEos mode planetary 1x.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Originally Posted by jsmoraes

Russel, excuse me, this was BackyardEos panetary mode with 5x - it was not FireCapture. FireCapture hasn't support for Canons
I did others with BackyardEos mode planetary 1x.

Sorry Jorge I missed that detail what is the filter wheel you've got attached if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

It is a QHY filter wheel. I had problems to install it with Canon because of the motor. Nevertheless I got success.

http://jsmastronomy.30143.n7.nabble....eel-td222.html

http://jsmastronomy.30143.n7.nabble....tor-td224.html

The new model, image attached, is more easy to install. The motor is more compact.

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

And now, with movie mode 1x. A giant surprise ! Bad one !

The FOV is reduced to 1056 x 704 pixels, therefore reduced the resolution (Image Scale). A single photo has better performance.

Image Scale ~ 1 arcsec/px - FD equivalent: f/3.5 (Where is my focal extender 3x ? )

The other image is with 200 % in Photoshop. There isn't pixels for enhance the image !

Conclusion, for planetary ... Canon T3 (1100D) ONLY with 5x.

Let's go see, now, the performance with the surface of Moon.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Interesting. I've done a bit of planetary and lunar video with the 450D on BYE 5x and is hasn't been too bad but might try the single frame idea. My problem is my northern aspect has a high horizon, volcanic hill with housing and heat so single frames are subject to a lot of thermal movement making video mode the better option. More frames is another option as well.
Jupiter is too late now, down in the West early evening so waiting for Saturn to clear the trees now.

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

Well, trying Moon with Focal Extender 3x. The result wasn't good. I have some photos of Moon with Canon T3, not movie, and they are better.

Perhaps I am having problems with adaptation 1.25" to 2". Focus seems to be another issue. Maybe the seeing didn't help, also.

Actually, I think that for planetary... my Canon 1100D will not work so good as my ASI. Take a look at http://astronomia-e-astrofotos.10697...SI-td1985.html . Astonish and impressive images !
I can not publish here because the files are very large. More than 200 kb of IIS.

Conclusion of my test: I can use my Canon for planetary, and it will give me some medium quality images. I already did some tests before. I found the images in my site. They are not done with ressource 5x. http://astronomia-e-astrofotos.10697...T3-td1552.html

The End !

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

thanks for the filterwheel info.

also good compare, so in short a canon can produce acceptable images but a dedicated ASI (assuming your laptop is good enough!) is a better choice.

cheers