What to look for?

[Stargazer Jack]

Hi everyone, I am hoping to buy a DSLR soon however don't know which one to go for. I know it depends on budget but what should I look for when buying one for AP? Live-view, high MP? I am looking at Canon at the moment but are any other brands good?

[RikM]

You won't go far wrong with a 1100D or if you can find one SH 1000D, or 450D. high MP is not such a big thing for astrophotography. Live view is a definite advantage and there are several laptop control packages that work with Canon and make life much easier. I use APT for this and it's great. The smaller, lighter entry level cameras put less strain on your focuser and mount than the all singing all dancing models.

I don't think you will reach focus with our 130M though. But nice widefield images can be had using the 18mm end of the kit lens and 30sec exposures.

[Stargazer Jack]

Thanks for that information. I should of said that I am also hoping to get a new telescope and mount however was just wondering about the camera for the moment as I will probably get that first

[Stargazer Jack]

One more question, do Canon cameras have an infinitive exposure time or do they end at say 30 seconds? Also, can you change that with some laptop software if it does end after a certain time?

[RikM]

The 1000D and 1100D have up to 30sec with the onboard timer but with a timer remote or laptop control, you are unlimited.

[Stargazer Jack]

Oh good as I would hope to be able to take a few minutes with doing DSO imaging

[RikM]

I normally use somewhere between 3 and 5 min and then stack loads of them to get the equivalent of much longer exposures.

[Stargazer Jack]

Thanks for that Rik

[JB80]

Just another option to think about you could go for a Pentax K-r or K-5 purely because they have this GPS unit with an astrotracer ability.

O-GPS1 - Misc - PENTAX Photo

That said I have only ever had Canons and can't say a bad word about them.

It's just something to think about.

[JimStan]

I have a Nikon, so I use that, but if I were in the market for a new camera, it would probably be a Canon. Canon seems to be oriented toward the astro-photo nitch market, where Nikon is much more so toward the semi to professional general subject market.

The Nikon is a great camera, don't get me wrong. But Canon seems to be the first choice among astro photographers.

Don't forget, there are several CCD cameras out there that can do almost the same thing the DSLRs can, ( in some ways, better ) but they are strictly for astro use.

Good luck in your choice. Jim S.

[Stargazer Jack]

Thanks Pibbles and Jim