Camera Question/Complete Beginner

[cuivenion]

I'm mainly into observing at the moment but I was thinking doing some basic Lunar and Planetary imaging with a couple of cheap camera's I've already got:

http://production-pdp.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/DCR-HC94E

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_A470/

The first is a mini camcorder. the second is a compact digital. Which one do you think I should use?

[iam4208]

Not sure if either will be suitable, but if they both have a movie mode, just try them.

The low cost route into astrophotography is to buy a webcam and a powerful Barlow, take video and stack the best individual video frames using a special program like Registax.

I'm sure you will find good advice elsewhere on this forum to get you started, so good luck!

[Leveye]

If they have a tripod socket on them they make a few eyepiece adaptor rigs that will work with them. Orion sells one but i found it much much cheaper on Ebay. $17 dollars compared to $59.99 Just does not carry the Orion name on it. Try the Canon first.

[cuivenion]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll try the powershot first, as it's lighter.

[Langy]

Scopes and Skies sell a good adjustable holder here which should be able to hold most camera that have the 1/4 inch tripod socket onto a 1.25" EP.

As to how well they will work is another thing. For lunar if you can get focus and have control over the exposure you may well get some good AFocal images.

Before you go out and spend any money try holding them up to the EP to see what you can get. If that works you could also try sitting them on a tripod up to the EP. The second option takes a lot of work to get things lined up not helped with the earth rotating so fast at 0.25 degrees a minute.

With some time and experimenting I think you may be surprised as to how good the results on lunar images maybe. For planetary images you really do need video mode and be able to control a lot of the settings. Again do give it a try there is no harm and the good thing about digital is the only cost is your time and power to the camera.,

Good luck.

[cuivenion]

I'll be giving it a go, they both have video mode although I think the powershot may be more versatile

[tony gazer]

i started off with the most basic o compacts  just holding it to the piece it's only any good for the moon then u can use the zoom on the camera to get it to fill the image  

[cuivenion]

I was thinking of getting one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161206622917?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Thta's as far as I want to go at the moment.

[tony gazer]

try http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digiscoping-universal-camera-adapter-N-clamp-/140691721299?pt=UK_Photography_Telescopes&hash=item20c1e14c53 samething but more adjustable n cheaper i used 1 between handheld and hooking up the slr

[cuivenion]

Cheers I'll give it a look.