Canon: modded 450D, or unmoded 60D

[frugal]

Out of curiosity, for astrophotograpy, is is better to use a more senstive camera like the 60d, which should have a better sensor and lower dark noise, or is it better to go for an older camera like a 450d whcih has been modded to improve the Ha?

For various reasons modding my 60d is not an option, and there seem to be a number of modded 450s on the market at a reasonable cost. If I acquired a modded 450, would that be a step forward, or a step back?

[Astroboffin]

Hi,

A modded canon camera will always be a step forward, no matter which camera it is, and the 450D is a superb and very popular astro imaging camera, so most definitely go for that .

Regards

AB

[sharkmelley]

In terms of QE (Quantum Efficiency i.e. sensitivity) the 60D is slightly more sensitive than the 450D.  However for shorter night time exposures, the much lower read noise of the 60D will give much cleaner looking images (since read noise dominates at short exposures).   If you are planning to do long exposure imaging then the read noise is not such a limiting factor (because background sky signal becomes the dominant factor) so definitely go with the modded 450D if you want to image subjects with H-alpha emission.

Mark

[frugal]

Cheers guys

[Xplode]

Going for a 1100D, 550D or 600D would be a better choice than the 450D, all of them have lower noise than the 450D and the 1100D can be found very cheap too. 550D and 600D have the same or comparable sensor to your 60D.

[frugal]

Ole, I was hoping to avoid that A modded 450 is £250, a modded 600 is £480, but then I would be tempted to get the one that has been fully IR modified for IR and nighttime photography which would be £535, but then I would need a filter to go with it, which is another £155. But once I have spent £690 I am well on my way to a CDD, and if that happens I know that I will end up being tempted by an Atik One... that way madness lies

[Wailin]

A modded 450D is a great little camera for astrophotography, I have one which I modded myself. Also have a 6D and 1100D. I was able to buy the 450D at a very cheap price second hand with the intention of modifying it and not worrying too much if I'd messed it up. I would definitely go with the 450D. Yes it is noisey, but all DSLR's, in general, are. The 6D is very good regarding noise but I would not modify it! Here is an example of how much Ha emission it can capture, this with only 36min of data!

Great Nebula in Orion by Wailin..., on Flickr

[Physopto]

Really nice, just shows what can be done without  a CCD.

Sometimes  I just wish!!

Derek