Nikon D70 ?????

[Sunny321]

Would a Nikon D70 be ok for a starter camera for pics of planets and so on ?

[E621Keith]

No for planet, yes for DSO

The D70 sensor is too big for planets and the frame rate is too slow.

[Digz]

Planetary work generally requires a webcam or CCD. You'll find the sensor to large for good planetary work but moreover you tend to want to take several hundred or thousand frames in quick succession as a video to iron out changes in seeing etc.

[Steve Ward]

You'd be much better off getting a CanonEOS DSLR rather than a Nikon.

The controlling software needed for astrophotography comes free with a Canon (EOS Utilities) where as it's around £200 on top for a Nikon. . . !

There are a couple of great aftermarket programs APT and BYEOS that are specifically made for astrophotography and support the Canon range but not Nikon (and are cheap)

There are many Nikon vs Canon discussions/arguements , but for Astrowork the Canon wins hands down . . .

[Steve Ward]

P.S.

APT and BYEOS have the ability to capture the Liveview stream as a video for planetary imaging .

The image scale will depend on the focal length you are shooting at of course.

[Sunny321]

i can see this becoming very complicated http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/NIK_CAN.HTM

[Steve Ward]

Nothing complicated ..... buy a Canon . . .

[Sunny321]

So it would be ok for DSO with the right software and ir filter pulled out but much harder to use than a Canon ?

[Steve Ward]

You would have to go down the programmable intervalometer route I suspect . . . but I can't find any reference to compatibilty with the D70 . . !

The APT/BYEOS software lets you set up a shooting plan setting the number of exposures , exposure duration , interval between shots , sets the ISO , lets you check focus , etc , etc all from the laptop.

You can set things running and let it do its thing unattended.

http://www.ideiki.com/astro/

http://www.backyardeos.com/

I personally favour APT but it's a purely personal thing , there's not a lot to choose between them.

BYEOS has a 30 day free trial offer , APT has an unlimited trial albeit with slightly reduced features.

I would strongly recommend this route myself.

HTH.

[Sunny321]

Cheers Steve

[Sunny321]

http://www.dslrfocus.com/ poss work ?

[Sunny321]

http://www.dslrfocus.com/ this could work it just that i can get a Nikon D70 very cheap ,iam using a xbox web cam atm and want to move on to something more challenging

[ArmyAirForce]

If you already have a Nikon, you can use it. I bought the Shoestring USB/IR interface to trigger the shutter on my Nikon D50 via the laptop and free software 'DSLR Shutter'. This can set the number of exposures, duration, pauses between exposures etc.

If you don't yet have a camera, buy a Canon.

[E621Keith]

I agree with ArmyAirforce, if you have a D70 already (which I assumed you have) then use it.

Otherwise, get a Canon DSLR with Liveview (i.e. 450d or later). Canon DSLR have better support in 3rd party astrophotography hardware and software.

[Sunny321]

Possibly going against the grain but i cant let the D70 go its too cheap and ive found this which will help the timer problem http://forum.timescapes.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=335 ,just been on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Timer-Remote-Control-N2-For-Nikon-D80-D70S-/110757714723?pt=UK_Photography_DigitalCamAccess_RL&hash=item19c9ac9b23 and thishttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300693901795?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 all the gear used comes to 13 pounds + 40 pounds for the camera

[Digz]

A Nikon can be used for DSO work as I use one with an intervolometer. As mentioned above canon is better supported with software and generally better equipped. There is the added 'star muncher' downside of the D70 and older models.

Of course you can increase your focal length if you want to use a DSLR for planetary or even crop your image (I have tried this myself and think have an image posted in blog) but the general consensus is a webcam or CCD is better due to the smaller chip size and effective increased 'zoom' as a result (to keep things simple). People have been trying video from a DSLR so it can be done.

As you say a big learning curve and lots of options all with varying results and degrees and complexity.

[Sunny321]

Just found this article ,some useful information about dso photography for people that are new to this . http://www.astrophotography-tonight.com/astrophotography-on-budget/

[lensman57]

Would a Nikon D70 be ok for a starter camera for pics of planets and so on ?

Hi,

Before you go on buying cameras please visit the following link, it maybe of help to you.

http://www.stargazing.net/david/nikond70/

Regards,

A.G