Digital SLR for astrophotography

skairey · #1 10-09-2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks Iponders, I have managed to fix my CP.

Next question for everyone, I am thinking about buying a Canon 30D, can any one tell me if it is a good purchase for astrophotograpy. My Olympus gives me a headache, it's too sensitive, too fiddly and totally confusing.

It's not too bad during normal use, exept on windy day's, it pee's its pants.
Any input would be greatly accepted.

acropolite (Phil) · #2 10-09-2007, 01:27 PM

30D is a nice camera, as far as I know all of the Canon DSLR's perform well for Astro use. You may however, want to opt for the 40D, the live view would be a definite plus for Astrophotography (focussing).

RB (Andrew) · #3 10-09-2007, 01:37 PM

The 30D is superseded, you'll have to be quick to find a 30D unless you are buying second hand.

The 40D has replaced it and as Phil said you're better off with a 40D with it's LiveView.
It is a bit more expensive though.

iceman (Mike) · #4 10-09-2007, 01:40 PM

Hi Sandy
I renamed your thread title to make it more descriptive of your question, and moved it to the Cameras and Imaging discussion forum.

ving (David) · #5 10-09-2007, 01:41 PM

what do you mean by "it's too sensitive, too fiddly and totally confusing" exactly... on a windy day the canon is going to be exactly the same....

what we are talking about here i am guessing is the fact that it is a digital slr. any digital slr (including the canon 30d) is going to basically have the same controlls i guess so maybe you are after the simplicity of a point n' shoot camera?

tell us what you want the camera for and we can tell you if your camera or indeed any other DSLR will be of use to you.

RB (Andrew) · #6 10-09-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

what do you mean by "it's too sensitive, too fiddly and totally confusing" exactly... on a windy day the canon is going to be exactly the same....

what we are talking about here i am guessing is the fact that it is a digital slr. any digital slr (including the canon 30d) is going to basically have the same controlls i guess so maybe you are after the simplicity of a point n' shoot camera?

tell us what you want the camera for and we can tell you if your camera or indeed any other DSLR will be of use to you.

David I suspect skairey was using "Sensitive" as a figure of speech, as in "Some people as too Sensitive".
There is a big difference in built quality out there between brands, even different models from the same manufacturer are built to their respective price points. This impacts it's performance in different types of weather.
Some lighter models sometimes are not as sturdy in windy conditions.
Also there are models that make it very confusing with the way the buttons are layed out.

Also, skairey stated that the camera is intended for astro work.

skairey · #7 10-09-2007, 02:33 PM

Thanks iceman, I wasn't sure whether to stay in the beginers forum or move to another.
My other half had a canon but it was nicked, and I find that much easier to navigate. I have always been an Olympus fan so I bought E300 when they came out and I found it was not as simple to use as the canon especially for night and macro shots the results just weren't what I was used to and the instructions booklet, well what can I say, urgh!. I just find it hard to navigate so does my other half. I'm still a fan of Olympus though and I still use my manual camera's especially for macro and night work. But for astrophotograpy I was hoping for suggestions so as I have a clear idea of what to look for, I truly don't believe my Olympus is quite up to it.

I'm sorry if I offended you Ving, for not being up to scratch with the digital era. But the reason I am here, is that I have problems with the Olympus that I haven't had with canon, minolta or pentax. Hence the question.
You don't have to sound so harsh in your response.

iceman (Mike) · #8 10-09-2007, 02:41 PM

Knowing ving I don't think he had any intention of coming across as harsh - just a miscommunication/misinterpretation of the written word on the internet.

leon · #9 10-09-2007, 03:58 PM

Ving,

I have had a number of different DSLR Cameras including the Pentax IstD, and now have the Canon 5D, and i can tell you that the Canon range of camera's will run rings around the other DSLR's, for easy of use of all the functions, and sturdiness, and weight aspects.

Leon

ving (David) · #10 10-09-2007, 05:06 PM

eek! i had no idea i was coming accross as harsh! sorry bout that!

the internet i find is like that. typed words are often misinterpreted

i was just trying to figure out what your needs were

leon · #11 10-09-2007, 07:39 PM

Your forgiven Ving, now don't let it happen again

Leon

citivolus (Ric) · #12 10-09-2007, 09:05 PM

Personally I'm in the process of selling my 30D and 10D, and using that to fund a 40D purchase. The live focus and remotely controllable focus controls were too much for me to say no. Finally my canon lenses will be usable on piggyback with accurate focusing.

You're looking at $650 price difference between a used 30D from eBay and a new 40D. I'll pay that for sharp, repeatable focus with my existing lens lineup.

However, if you plan on shooting through a scope with a decent crayford focuser, those remote focusing controls become somewhat less necessary.

ving (David) · #13 10-09-2007, 10:11 PM

or you could buy a nikon. i use one and its easy peasy... lots of pros use nikon... nasa uses nikon too

that says something

iceman (Mike) · #14 11-09-2007, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

nasa uses nikon too

that says something

You nikon guys.. hang onto your dreams

CometGuy · #15 11-09-2007, 06:44 AM

Not sure if this has been posted, preliminary review of the 40D for astrophotography (by Christian Buil):

http://astrosurf.com/buil/eos40d/test.htm

Terry

iceman (Mike) · #16 11-09-2007, 06:52 AM

What an excellent review by Christian. The 40D really looks great for astrophotography.

Thanks for posting, Terry.

What is the current local price of the 40D body?

skairey · #17 11-09-2007, 08:12 AM

Thanks everyone, great website Terry I'll have a read. I think the canon has won me. I'll go and have a play with it at the shops.
Iceman the canon site has quoted RRP $1999 for the body but Vanbars has them for $1895 I think.

Sorry Ving, I probably misunderstood, my apologies.
I'll try to play nice from now on.

RB (Andrew) · #18 11-09-2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving
nasa uses nikon too that says something

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

You nikon guys.. hang onto your dreams

Mike don't forget there's no wind on the moon.

citivolus (Ric) · #19 11-09-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CometGuy

Not sure if this has been posted, preliminary review of the 40D for astrophotography (by Christian Buil):

http://astrosurf.com/buil/eos40d/test.htm

Terry

That review was what made me list my old equipment on eBay

I've found the 40D in stock locally for $1850. Hopefully they still have one when I get there.

Astrod00d · #20 11-09-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citivolus

That review was what made me list my old equipment on eBay

I've found the 40D in stock locally for $1850. Hopefully they still have one when I get there.

Give these guys a call too. They're based in North Sydney.
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm
40d listed at $1739.
I got my 400d from them a few weeks ago, perhaps I should've waited for the 40d!

Cheers!

Rob