Is it worth modifying a Canon 10D DSLR for astro work?

[Poita (Peter)]

I have an old Canon 10D body on the shelf at home, and stumbled across this site:
http://www.alpineastro.com/filters/f...DSLR%20Filters

Has anyone done the mod to remove the IR filter on the Canon 10D, and is it a worthwhile exercise? Or would the money just be better put towards a ccd camera for deep sky work?
The replacement glass is about $100.

[adman (Adam)]

I would keep the 10D for daytime/terrestrial stuff and put your hard-earned towards something better suited.

The 10D was a great camera - in its day. BUt you will find now that you will be pushing the proverbial uphill not only in terms of the chips noise, but also with what astro software will support the camera, liveview/focusing etc.

Although it is not ideal noise-wise, I find my 550D great to work with as it is basically plug and play with the current crop of DSLR control / capture software.

Cheers,
Adam

[Poita (Peter)]

Thanks, good to know.

It really does just gather dust in the corner since I switched to Nikon many years ago.
I thought a mod to make it see the reds better may be worthwhile, but I guess not.

Thanks

-P

[mostschaedel (Gerald)]

Hi Peter!
If you want to modify the 10D for Astrophotography you dont
need the filter. We have modified our 10Ds ourselves without using a filter and it worked perfectly.
What you need to use the 10D for astro-
photography is a long exposure series timer like the TC-80N3. And you are ready.
On my homepage (scroll down) you can see many images made with the 10D between 2006 and 2009.
Main issue with astrophotography is image processing.
So, if you know how to remove dark frames, and use flatfields and know
a little MUCH more, the old camera is perfect for you. If you dont know,
even the newest camera does not bring results. People believe
to much on new hardware. The Software makes the difference here.

From handling point of view the old 10D has some disadvantages.
Focusing takes longer than with a new DSLR. No liveview.
I used to focus checking the image on the screen with maximum
magnification. DSLRFOCUS and MAXIM helped also for focusing.
Usually the older cameras have more temperature noise than
the newer ones. However, this is easy removed with darkframes and
image processing.

Using the modified 10D gets you images like these:
Bubble
M5
Sh2-155

Its up to you.

So, i have my modified 10D still as backup if my newer QHY8 should fail.

Gerald

[NorthernLight (Max)]

Hi Gerald, Ehre wem Ehre gebuert! Your Images are flawless. But I think this Kind of Mastery is Camera Independent.
Your Webpage Let's me assume You're a pro in graphic Design. I wish I Bad your skills.
Emily the Summer!
Max

[Poita (Peter)]

Thanks for the feedback, i was going to get replacement glass so that I could use it for terrestrial infrared photography as well. Those pictures look amazing.

[mostschaedel (Gerald)]

Hi Peter!
If you need some hints for making the 10D following your wishes
in astrophotography let me know.
Understand why you want to use the filter. Be careful when glueing
the filter to the chip. Fluid glue moves fast from outside to inside
between chip and filter.
We experienced this trouble. But we have a friend who is musician,
technicians would even not think about that, who cooked the
chip in 60° Celsius water and got rid of the glue on the chip!
And the camera still works perfect.
Ready for 10D help if needed.

Gerald