Hey mr saddo, its really difficult to get anything good with single images. You need to take video and you need to either shoot video through an eyepiece (small pocket digital camera's are quite good at this) that's giving a reasonable sized image, or attach the camera to the focuser with either a couple of barlows in front of it. or use a camera adapter that allows you to put an eyepiece inside - try a simple 5mm or 6mm plossl. Then use Registax to stack the video. I have the 300d too and its great through the scope for Deep Sky, but single frames don't work well at all for planetary.

Here's a link showing how to do it with a pocket digital camera - I got quite good images this way: Planetary Imaging

Here's a link to how I do it now - I upgraded my DSLR to one that shoots video:

I found the better the camera the less well it worked pointed into the eyepice! The smaller the camera the better it worked into the eyepiece. Ultimately though, you want to go with the barlows - because that will work with real planetary cameras and DSLRs that shoot video - the results will be better.

Good Luck and have fun!

Hi there, yeah i used a x2 barlow, with a t ring, and a eos adapter ring, i found you cant really see much in the dslr camera veiw finder to focus on. i have tried the spc 900 etc but i was struggling to get the planet or star on the ccd chip has it is very small, good for the moon!. The eos 300d does not have live video option,oh god! what i paid for it i could have got a 15 mp compact digital camera! I have been using a mak 90 eq1 with eos 300d, eos ring and x2 barlow in between.

Could you not cannon eos utility,and soon as ou get the image it will down load it to you laptop screen I did it this way with my cannon 10d never bothered with cannon for planets it's a waste of time

Hi todd, the cannon software wont run on this net book somet to do wit low screen res!! yep looks like ive wasted my money on the eos, ile have to get another web cam type with video available.

Hi there Todd!

My first tries with Saturn were very disappointing. Over time,..many many times,... I used a point and shoot camera and just "got lucky". I also used a 2X Barlow and tweeked it with Picasa (of all programs,..). You know, when I think about it. the less complicated I am with the equipment and the less "I want it" the better the image!

In the end, I try not to spoil an entire night trying to obtain "that one picture". I have fun and if something quasi-interesting comes up when it comes to images then I celebrate!

Isabelle

hi, yeah i would have been happy with you picture, and what i spent on the camera i could have had a compact 15 mp ccd for less than i paid for the eos!! i did research on the old eos and people seemed to plug them, so i got one. the camera is usable for every day photography so will not go to waste.

You will get that pristine shot! I am sure of it. Then I will be the one saying, "I wish I could take pictures like you!"

Isabelle

Hey Mr Saddo, your 300D works great on Deep Sky - so don't get rid of it. At some point you'll be glad you have it! Good luck