Hi Ric
An important consideration is software for focusing, operating and controlling your camera from a notebook computer. The software can be supplied by either the camera manufacturer, or 3rd party providers (additional costs).
Typically, this software should provide you with the following functions:
- Software assisted quick and reliable focusing.
- Taking multiple exposures at intervals from the PC. For example, 10 exposures of 3 mins duration.
- Working with the raw (native) image files produced by your DSLR.
The following 3rd party applications seem to dominate the market:
The stand out cameras are certain Canon and Nikon models that are supported by these applications.
I have a Pentax *ist DSLR and software assisted focusing is not supported by the above applications (other than by exposing an image, downloading it to the PC and checking to see if it’s in focus).
The maximum exposure for interval shooting is 30 secs with the Pentax software.
I find these limitations quite restrictive when using the Pentax for prime focus astrophotography.
Also, certain Canon models can be operated via the Canon TC-80N3 remote timer which allows you to capture say, 20 exposures of 3 mins without the use of a PC, the images being saved to the camera’s internal memory card. This is excellent if you do not want to set up your pc for an imaging session.
So, be careful in your choice – don’t forget to consider how you might use the camera in the field, would you like to operate it from a PC (the answer is yes!) and how much ease of use and automation you require in focusing, capturing, processing, etc.
If you will predominantly take images at prime focus through your ‘scope, then this may be a more important requirement than maintaining compatibility with your current lenses?
Cheers
Dennis
