Anyone used "Cheap Astrophotography" for modded cameras?

[Leebert]

Hi all,

I've been a Nikon user for a while but have been thinking of getting a modified Canon 450 DSLR to get all the Laptop control and better Ha response. A friend told me about this website which looks quite good and offers local pick up too...

http://cheapastropho...hy.vpweb.co.uk/

Has anyone had any experience with them please?

Thanks.

Lee

[johnrt]

Never heard of them, but it looks like a fairly recent set-up, so could be fine or maybe not? A site with a trusted good reputation is astronomiser who I have had personal experience with and can recommend.

http://www.astronomiser.co.uk/

[Which Star is that]

I bought a modified 450d from Juan at cheapastrophotography last month and he was great. Camera arrived and is exactly what I expected. Works a treat and I even took the risk and did it as a bank transfer to avoid the extortionate PayPal charges. He sent it in the post before he had confirmation of the money from his bank!

Would definitely recommend him.

[Leebert]

Thanks for the replies.

I hadn't heard of them either so I'm guessing it's a new-ish venture. I can't really stretch to the new ones on the Astonomiser site so second hand pre-modded cameras seems like a good idea. Compared with the cost of the average decent Ebay non modded camera, the price seems to be in the right ballpark too.

[kirkster501]

The words "cheap" and "astrophotography" are not oft used in the same sentence. Indeed such a term is an oxymoron IMO.

Approach with caution is what I would advise.

[billhinge]

Looks like good price if you are in the market. I'm just doing my own non Canon conversion and from my experience a premium of £100 on the unmodded camera looks good value

The tiny screws and ribbon cables are an absolute pain - (tip if anyone is considering DIY, get some good precision screwdrivers that wont strip your screws, not the cheapo 'jewellers' screwdrivers)

[Guest]

There is a fully moded Canon 450D on astro buy and sell at the moment, with batteries and 12v power pack for £265

here: http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=68125

MM

[Guest]

Never heard of them, but it looks like a fairly recent set-up, so could be fine or maybe not? A site with a trusted good reputation is astronomiser who I have had personal experience with and can recommend.

http://www.astronomiser.co.uk/

plus 1 for Astronomiser

[Oily]

The words "cheap" and "astrophotography" are not oft used in the same sentence. Indeed such a term is an oxymoron IMO.

Approach with caution is what I would advise.

The guy says you can collect his cameras,meeting someone before handing over your hard earned is always a plus in my books,he also states its an evening and weekend venture so obviously he has no overheads thus passing the savings on to his customers.

[stem1989]

I used this guy for my 450d, I didn't know at the time (he advertised the camera on astrobuysell) and when it arrived it was all packaged and was directly from that site with a business card in there too. It was dispatched same day as I paid in the morning and arrived within a day, fantastic condition, well packaged and the camera works great. Also managed to get a CLS clip filter pretty cheap too which was a bonus.

[bodtwo]

have emailed questions, prior to deciding and has been very prompt and informative.

[HIP3802]

I bought a modified 1100D from Juan. Initially there was a delay due to  stock shortages, but when it did arrive it was fine. I would recommend him without any hesitation.

[misterp]

Hi,

I bought a modded 1100d from him just before Christmas and it's great

Ian

[wavydavy]

There you have it then, reading all the comments hes a sound guy..........for me I do my own camera modding.

[dazzauk83]

I can also confirm That juan from cheap astrophotography  is genuine and offers fantastic prices for used or even brand new DSLR cameras. I bought a brand new modded 1100d off him last year and it is amazing. You can also have it re-shimmed so that you can use a camera lens for daylight use aswell which was great for me in helping convince the mrs in getting a new one. He also gives you the orignal filter that he replaces with a badder filter. Service was great. always kept in contact. oh i did have to wait a extra week for my filter to come before he could start the work. So he through in a free 8gb memory card for my troubles.

Would highly recommend.  

 

[michaelmorris]

Great guy.  Bought a modified 1100D from him last year and I couldn't be happier with either the camera or the service.

[downingsimon]

I have just had my camera, a Canon 650D, modded by Juan. Absolutely superb! Brilliant customer service too, and the turn over time was fast, with everything done by Special Delivery. I had a Baader filter put into the camera, as well as having the anti-aliasing removed - the focus works perfectly and it still takes day time photos without any problem, as well as bringing forth the 'reds' from emission nebulae. My recent Rosette nebula image would be an example. The difference between 'for' and 'after' is very noticeable. 

Sometime after I had the modification done, I had a matter to deal with, that I caused. Even though the problem that arose had nothing to do with Juan or his work, he once again showed incredible support in helping me sort out the issue. Here is a person who cares about astrophotography, the person taking the photos, more than making money. The price he charges for the work is amazing too.

Hope this entry helps someone, if they are considering modding their camera.

Thanks.

[Guest]

Hi,

I contacted him recently, and he is currently perfecting the DSLR mono mod, by removing the Bayer matrix, that will.be awesome, I put my name down for the first one, he has managed to remove the Bayer without issues but is trying to get perfect flat frames, although they are very good, infact it would buy one now, but he won't sell them till he perfects the mod.

So just a heads up, although slightly off topic, so,apologies

MM

[perdrix]

Do any of you have a contact email address (probably best to PM me) for Juan?  I sent an enquiry via his website and it seems to have  fallen by the wayside.

Thanks, Dave

[Jonk]

juan_fierros@yahoo.co.uk

I can also confirm a great service.

He modded my 1100D with a Baader filter and removed the anti-aliasing filter, sent on a Thursday, received back very early the following week.

48 hour turnaround is normally to be expected.

I noticed that 2 screws were missing, so I asked him if he had 2 spare, and I received these + philips 00 + 8gbsd card within 2 days.

Perfect.

[Peje]

Left him a message earlier and haven't heard anything back so I'll just fire him an email directly. Wanted to get some advice from him on some of the different cameras he offers for sale.

[KY Cygni]

I have just taken delivery of a 2nd hand 600d from Juan, I have not had chance to try it out yet but his service and communications was very good.

looks like it might be clear tomorrow I will report back

[Peakedge]

Had my 100d modified by Juan and the turn round time was amazing. He kept me informed at all times as to the progress of the mod and it was back with me within days! I would wholeheartedly recommend and wish all customer service was this good! Can't wait to for him to perfect debayering!!

 

David

[KY Cygni]

I got to try my 600d last night and can confim its spot on, and in the post today I received another 600d from cheap astro  someone is very busy and sent me 2, I contacted Juan and will be sending ot back 

cheapastrophptography doesnt inspire confidence as a name but my guess is English isnt his 1st language  

[Stardust]

not the best name for a company but I had an 1100d from Juan some time ago and couldn't fault the camera or service