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Alternative to Canon Eos?

Spica

By Spica
in Discussions - Cameras

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Spica

Spica

Posted
Posted

Hello all.

Hope you are not fed up on those "what to get"-questions!

Read and heard that Canon EOS xxxD is the mainly used type/brand next to what Nikon offers in the same segment. However, the very next door salesman has a Samsung NX11 (incl 18-55/3,5-5,6 OIS) up for a real good price (i think); 419 USD. Will it do the trick?

Seems battery life is worse, other than that ut seems like they have the same features? I understand iso-number is of importance, in the Samsung case the ISO span is 100-3200. I also think I know a low f-number is required, and in the Samsung case with this included lens I don't know... perhaps f/2 at 55 mm? Have no clue! Heeelp!

Camera intended for piggyback as well as prime-focus on an 8" SCT. It will also be used as "stand alone" for photometry (variable stars)

So, main question is... can the Samsung NX11 compare to Canons?

Tnx!

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Trull

Trull

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IMHO....Run away!

I'd stick with Canon for your first camera, its the best supported for AP uses. You can also pick up pre-loved EOS-350Ds for about 110GBP, and I bought a 20D for 130GBP last month.

I doubt the Samsung is even in the same ballpark.

And having support from programs like Nebulosity is critical to photometry, again I don't think Samsung is supported. Although if you are serious about this you may wish to consider a pukka cooled CCD to do the job properly with a 16bit A/D stage from the pixels. Have you tried searching for samsung cameras and astrophotography? compare hits to Canon!

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swag72

swag72

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Definitely stick with the Canon - There's a reason that so many people use them for astro stuff!!

They are very well supported for astro software for example, so that you can easily run your camera off a PC. The models from 450D upwards have live view, which in my opinion, is a great help in focusing for astro purposes.

You can easily get hold of accessories, such as a T thread, to connect your camera to a scope - Can you get that for a Samsung?

I would absolutely go with a Canon and certainly not get seduced by the price tag. It will not be cheaper in the long run I am sure.

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Spica

Spica

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Good stuff. Yeah, I realize Canon is the way to go. I guess image stabilizator etc is of less importance? What abt the objective 18-55 which is included? What i understand it has a range of f/3.5 to 5.6. I guess that is perhaps a bit high when used piggyback?

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Spica

Spica

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Ok! I have made up my mind. Canon EOS 1100D it is. Going to my store, they then ask if I want image stabilizer or not. An addition 80 or 90 bucks. What do you think? I don't believe it is needed for astro-application (?)

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StuW

StuW

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Samsung make their cameras with pentax so you can get t-mounts for them, not sure about the NX11, but my GX20 has live view aswell. Your main probem is going to be pc control. I think you are better sticking with the Canons tho, even if its only for the ability to mod it at a later date.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

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Jessun

Jessun

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I use a Canon 600D from time to time and it's great to work with.

You don't need image stabilizer, unless you plan to use your camera for normal everyday hand held use. Having it in the camera saves you from getting all your lenses with their own stabilizer, so could save money in the long run.

Good luck with it!

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Gina

Gina

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Yes, the noise performance of the 1100D looks pretty good from the report I've just read. I'm thinking of "upgrading" my imaging DSLR from the Sony A200 I have at present to the 1100D body when funds permit. The Sony lacks the computer control and live view of the Canon which makes it a bit of a pain for imaging. I only have the viewfinder for focussing (other than taking a series of shots) and lining up which makes it very awkward for objects high in the sky.

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Anweniel

Anweniel

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Just had a quick play with the canon 1000D that I bought my OH for christmas. Did a bit of a Heath Robinson approach to polar alignment...looked at polaris and just dumped the mount pointing roughly towards it. Taking into account that the mount is Alt-az, no remote shutter (just bought a cheapo off ebay) so I was knelt holding the shot for ~30s.. pretty pleased with the results!

I think that its more a testimony to the build quality of the camera than anything else particuarly as its my first real play with the camera of any sorts. Its convinced me to go out and get my own once I get an equatorial sorted out.

The live view is an awesome tool although bit time consuming switching modes to get the focus right then to bulb setting for LX but hardly a huge inconvenience when considering the benefits.

All in all thumbs up for the canon I doubt I'll look at anything other than eos

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Astrokev

Astrokev

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Canon are a popular brand for astro use, and have a good following which I guess perpetuates the popularity.

Can't see that IS is of any benefit for long exposures typically required for AP - deep sky work at least. To be honest, if one uses good technique, I'm not even sure it's of massive benefit for everyday picture taking either (prepares himself for widespread abuse here!!).

Regarding ISO, the ISO range expressed in the camera stats is only a small part of the story; it's how the camera deals with the noise that higher ISO's produce that matters. ISO 3200 in one camera is not the same as ISO 3200 in another. Noise handling is improving all the time and camera's released within the last few years from the main brands (thinking Canon and Nikon here) will give good performance on average. That said, I would always look up full camera reviews to get an objective opinion (I'd recommend www.dpreview.com which is an excellent site).

One aspect of your choice that is likely to be significant is the range of lenses available for your chosen camera model. The main 2 players, being very popular brands, have a massive range of branded and OEM lenses available.

All this said, I'm a devout Nikon man myself, and couldn't bear to be parted from my beloved D300 :p. Fantastic monitor, live view and superb noise handling to name but a few of the useful features. Although typically more pricey than Canon (like for like) Nikon make arguably the best quality lenses available (prepares for more abuse!), although when using a scope as the "lens" this is of secondary importance.

Good luck with your choice!

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Spica

Spica

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Tnx all for yr wise words. However, I really can't see the point in Live View for astronomy photage or perhaps i am just using it wrong, don't know... been out a couple of times already and when directing towards the faint stars i can't see even the brightest specs of light on the display...? Maybe it's a different story altoghether when hooked up in i.e primefocus on the telescope (which i haven't tried just yet)

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Astrokev

Astrokev

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Tnx all for yr wise words. However, I really can't see the point in Live View for astronomy photage or perhaps i am just using it wrong, don't know... been out a couple of times already and when directing towards the faint stars i can't see even the brightest specs of light on the display...? Maybe it's a different story altoghether when hooked up in i.e primefocus on the telescope (which i haven't tried just yet)

May also be worth increasing monitor brightness. Another approach is to focus on a known bright object eg. Sirius, Jupiter, then lock your focus and re-frame on the object/field you're wanting to image.

hope this helps.

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carastro

carastro

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I really can't see the point in Live View

You would once you start using a camera which doesn't have it.

a) It saves a lot of time getting focus. If you don't have live view then you have to keep taking shots as you adjust the focus knob and checking them. With live view you can do it as you watch.

:p Also helps with framing an image, if there are bright stars in the FOV you can centre the object well. PLUS, if you want to match the FOV to a previous session (i.e. taking more data on the same object), again Live view is really helpful if there are any bright stars in the FOV, especially if you are using APT which has a framing Mask tool.

Carole

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4lefts

4lefts

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Canon are a popular brand for astro use, and have a good following which I guess perpetuates the popularity...

...All this said, I'm a devout Nikon man myself, and couldn't bear to be parted from my beloved D300 :). Fantastic monitor, live view and superb noise handling to name but a few of the useful features. Although typically more pricey than Canon (like for like) Nikon make arguably the best quality lenses available (prepares for more abuse!), although when using a scope as the "lens" this is of secondary importance.

Glad you said this - I was thinking of getting a dslr, partly to do some widefield astro stuff, and partly as a "normal" camera. Given that I'm a Nikon person (i.e. my first film slr was Nikon), and I want to keep using my 50mm f1.4 lens, is there a reason to get a Canon dslr because that's what most people use? What's the reason dslr astro imagers seem to all use Canon?

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Psychobilly

Psychobilly

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I am feet in both camps having both Nikon and Canon DSLR's... D50,D200 Nikons and 350D,1000D,500D and 7D Canons

My First DSLR's were Nikons a D50 followed a few weeks later by a D200, I stuuck with the D200 for about a year for astro use before finally caving in and buying a second hand 350D which I soon modified - (Filter removal) for full spectrum use as I wanted to dabble in IR pass photography it R72 filters...

Noise wise, and once modified sensitivty wise the 350D was a much better camera and a lot lighter which is something to consider on lower end focusers... The filter removal meant that the AF didnt work and also Inifinty focus was not possible for with"normal" camera lenses... the 350D also needed a seperate serial shutter control cable as it couldn't do bulb over USB...It also suffered from amplglow (although a lot better than the D200) so really needed well matched darks..

SO I decided to get a 1000D. This camera was also soon modified but this time I went for filter replacement to maintain AF and Infinity focus with camera lenses this wa a big step up performance wise from the 350D much better noise performance and amglow was basically non existent.. . it meant that i could spend a lot more time grabbing light frames than darks...

I then added a 500D and soon started buying a couple of pieces of Canon L series glass.. as the higher MP sensor showed up the short comming with the cheaper lenses...

Having invested in L series glass it then became a difficult decision on which camera to buy next.. and in the end I plumped for a 7D which has largely replaced the Nikon D200 for everything except Macro work...

The biggest adavantage for the canon DSLR's for astro are...

The readily available repalcement sensor filters and plenty of info for DIY filter replacement.

Cheap , extremely well supported and highly functional specialist astro software in the form of APT or BackyardEOS...

The ability to use in body filters in the form of clip in filters either the Astronomik or Hutech MFA for LP control , Narrowband Ha etc

Peter...

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Gina

Gina

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I've definitely decided to replace my Sony A200 with a Canon EOS 1100D body when funds permit. I expect to do the IR filter removal mod in due course. I'll be using this for moon and DSO AP. I shall keep the Sony A200 for general photography and the Canon for dedicated astro use.

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