Hi, I was thinking of getting into astrophotography after just observing for a few years. But I don't know too much about cameras.
I've heard that DSLR's and CCD's are good for astrophotography, but are there any specific cameras anyone would recommend?
Sophie, why not start with something like a lower end DSLR?
Say, maybe a Canon 1000D? Or, maybe a 2nd hand 350D. You can shoot with them as is, or pay a few hundred dollars to get them modded - which will make them far more sensitive to Red areas of the spectrum.
Dedicated CCD cameras maybe down the track, I'd really recommend from everything I've read and seen to start off with a DSLR first before investing too heavily.
Sophie, why not start with something like a lower end DSLR?
Say, maybe a Canon 1000D? Or, maybe a 2nd hand 350D. You can shoot with them as is, or pay a few hundred dollars to get them modded - which will make them far more sensitive to Red areas of the spectrum.
Dedicated CCD cameras maybe down the track, I'd really recommend from everything I've read and seen to start off with a DSLR first before investing too heavily.
Dave
excellent post.
I had this choice last week, and bought a Canon 1000D twin lens kit and havent looked back, mine was $870 from Dick Smiths, in truth its not as good as the 450D, and it feels a little cheaper, and its lighter because of it (450g) but its an excellent place to start off
Thanks for you recommendations!
I was thinking about a Canon 1000D, it seems the best balance I can so far find between quality and money. I'm still looking around, but now I have somewhere to go from!
Thanks for you recommendations!
I was thinking about a Canon 1000D, it seems the best balance I can so far find between quality and money. I'm still looking around, but now I have somewhere to go from!
What would be the best option if I wanted to use a device just to "look" through a scope via a computer, rather than capture images? My eyesight isn't what it used to be, and I was wondering if I could use a CCD or similar rather than looking through an eyepiece.
Certainly the gap is closing and you'll know that CMOS has overtaken CCD when SBIG puts out a camera with a CMOS chip
I was talking from a DSLR point of view - Canon has used CMOS technology for many years now and it has kicked all of the competitors butts quite badly that stuck with CCD. Ambient temperatures. Having used both (original EOS1D was CCD), I can say CMOS is far better in every area.
Would you also use the camera for terrestrial daytime photography?
If it is purely for astrophotography, I would heavily recommend a modified Canon EOS-350D or, if you can stretch the budget, a modified EOS-40D.
The 350D is tried and tested and produces magnificent results. The 40D has the added advantage of LiveView, which will allow you to focus very quickly and easily by chimping on the LCD preview screen. It also has a 14-bit sensor which captures more dynamic range, and is also built a lot sturdier than the older 350D.
If you're intending to use the camera for both terrestrial and astrophotographic purposes, and, if you're an absolute beginner, then, you might want to try the new Canon EOS-500D.
Having said that, you can still use a modified camera (modification involves removing the stock infra-red/ultraviolet block filter and replacing it with a third party filter which allows the hydrogen alpha wavelength of light to pass through to the sensor -- this is the portion of the spectrum that contains all that beautiful red diffuse/emission nebulosity) -- you just need to set your white balance either through a custom setting in the camera (instructions are in the manual) or manually when you post-process your images by using the white balance tool in your chosen software, and clicking on a portion of the image which you think should be white.
I hope this helps. If you have questions, feel free to ask.