how to start astrophotography?

[AlexN]

A 350D is a standard canon Digital SLR.

They can be modified for astronomy by changing the filter to allow more of the spectrum to get to the cameras sesnor.

To attach it to a telescope you need a couple of adapters.... depending on your telescope..

For a refractor, you will likely need an extension tube, a T thread to 2" adapter, and an EOS to T Thread adapter.

For a newtonian, you will usually need the EOS to T thread + T thread to 2" adapter, and you will need to modify the telescope in some way to get the SLR to focus.

This can be done by moving the primary mirror closer to the secondary mirror, installing a low profile focuser, or using a televue paracorr..


Les - Thats the thing I was forgetting to mention... To use your 10" newt, you'll need to modify the tube to allow the slr to focus...

[bobson (Bob)]

Thanks Mate!

[AlexN]

no problems.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

No dumb questions Bob, (I will stand corrected on the below information), and Alex beat me LOL!

The Canon 350D is (or was) your average run-of-the-mill DSLR produced by Canon a couple of years ago. They just became so popular that a lots of amateur astronomers use them. They have been superseded by several later models since, but because they were popular, you can still buy them on eBay.

Later models certainly do have more functions, than the 350D, but a great camera to pick up, and by what people say, it will do you for many years.

As mentioned earlier by Alex, you can have the camera modded by having the IR filter (i think it's called) removed, but this disables the autofocus, so it becomes a dedicated camera for you and your imaging.

In the USA, they are known as a Canon "Rebel XT".

I use mine for day/normal photography, as well as imaging, so I have no intention of modding mine (I cannot afford to buy two). I am still learning about all the functions on mine.

[lesbehrens (Les)]

u r all welcome to come to kilcoy for some observing

Originally Posted by AlexN

Mate.. fun doesnt even begin to describe it....

As we all do, expect to have a period of teething problems, where things dont all go to plan.. Its all part of the natural learning curve..

Believe me, the first time you finish a 4 ~ 5 minute exposure and see the result on the cameras LCD... All the hardship that it took to get to that point simply erase themselves from your memory... I can still remember the smile on my face the day I took my first deep sky image... Its amazing..

Best of luck with it, and remember, Asking questions is the key to learning... it doesnt matter if the question seems dumb, ask it...

You're not far from me, and quite a few other very capable astro imagers, If at any stage you need a hand, myself and others around you will gladly help out (especially if a night under your dark skies is on offer )

Cheers.
Alex.

[lesbehrens (Les)]

i'll probaly need help when it comes to this

Originally Posted by AlexN

A 350D is a standard canon Digital SLR.

They can be modified for astronomy by changing the filter to allow more of the spectrum to get to the cameras sesnor.

To attach it to a telescope you need a couple of adapters.... depending on your telescope..

For a refractor, you will likely need an extension tube, a T thread to 2" adapter, and an EOS to T Thread adapter.

For a newtonian, you will usually need the EOS to T thread + T thread to 2" adapter, and you will need to modify the telescope in some way to get the SLR to focus.

This can be done by moving the primary mirror closer to the secondary mirror, installing a low profile focuser, or using a televue paracorr..


Les - Thats the thing I was forgetting to mention... To use your 10" newt, you'll need to modify the tube to allow the slr to focus...

[AlexN]

Not a problem.