Opinions please - Canon eos 2000D

[nephilim]

Hi,

Does anyone have any user experience of the above camera for astrophotography?

I've recently made the decision to  start out yet again after several years away from the hobby (SGL member for 8yrs), it seems to have a habit of always pulling me back in 😁 Im looking for a suitable reasonably priced DSLR to hone my skills (or lack of at the moment) before moving onto a dedicated astro camera & after quite a bit of research I think this is ideal for what I want. it seems pretty good for a more budget end DSLR but I've not been able to find any mention of how it handles noise etc.

I appreciate I could probably get a better camera for a similar cost second hand but I've 'lucked out' buying second hand before & ideally would prefer  brand new.

I'll be getting the IR modification done straight away, pairing it with the WO Zenithstar 73 ll & looking at DSO imaging using N.I.N.A as my capture software.

(I've added the info in the last paragraph in case there's any compatibility issues with the 2000D I'm unaware of, although I can't see that there would be)

TIA

Steve

[Budgie1]

I'm currently using my un-modded EOS 2000D for astro until my modded EOS 1300D arrives from Cheap Astrophotography. Juan sells a new 4000D ready modded for £429, if that's of any interest, I know it has the 18MP sensor and not the 24MP that the 2000D has but apart from that I think they're basically the same camera.

It's not too bad for noise and the more data, the less noise and using dither when guiding reduces this even more.

A dummy battery with PSU is my next purchase though as I find the standard Canon battery with 2000D starts dropping after a few hours of an imaging and I worry about having to change the battery mid-session.

I'm using Astro Photography Tool for imaging and the 2000D works well with this software, great for focusing, plate solving, lights, darks & bias.

Below is one of the images I've captured of NGC7000 in the last month so you can see what I've got to date.

[nephilim]

2 hours ago, Budgie1 said:

I'm currently using my un-modded EOS 2000D for astro until my modded EOS 1300D arrives from Cheap Astrophotography. Juan sells a new 4000D ready modded for £429, if that's of any interest, I know it has the 18MP sensor and not the 24MP that the 2000D has but apart from that I think they're basically the same camera.

It's not too bad for noise and the more data, the less noise and using dither when guiding reduces this even more.

A dummy battery with PSU is my next purchase though as I find the standard Canon battery with 2000D starts dropping after a few hours of an imaging and I worry about having to change the battery mid-session.

I'm using Astro Photography Tool for imaging and the 2000D works well with this software, great for focusing, plate solving, lights, darks & bias.

Below is one of the images I've captured of NGC7000 in the last month so you can see what I've got to date.

Thanks for taking the time to answer mate.
Thats a really nice image for an unmodded DSLR. Im in the process of getting all my kit together at the moment & it'll probably take around 3 months until i'm ready to actually image, but that gives me time to do plenty of research.
I tried my hand at it a few years ago but I only had my visual set up (HQ5 with a Skywatcher 200p with after market motors fitted) & there was no way I could afford the another set up at the time. It was totally unsuitable & the frustration just meant I gave up completely.
My circumstances have changed now & im able to buy the appropriate kit (albeit over a few months), Ive just bought the mount ( Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO ) so thats the big item out of the way. 
The guy who owns Astronomiser also sells  modded cameras but thanks for letting me know about Juan, its good to know i'll have 2 suppliers to choose from when the time comes. Also i'll keep in mind your advice on the dummy battery, 🙂

ATB
Steve

[Adam1234]

Hi Steve, I started out using the Canon 2000D before I upgraded to a dedicated camera earlier this year,  here is an example of some of the images I have managed to get using this camera to give you an idea of what you could expect. 

These were taken when I was still learning (still lots to learn!) so you'll probably get better insges out of it

 

Hope that helps,

Adam

[nephilim]

2 hours ago, Adam1234 said:

Hi Steve, I started out using the Canon 2000D before I upgraded to a dedicated camera earlier this year,  here is an example of some of the images I have managed to get using this camera to give you an idea of what you could expect. 

These were taken when I was still learning (still lots to learn!) so you'll probably get better insges out of it

 

Hope that helps,

Adam

Hi Adam,
Those are really impressive images, especially if you were just starting out. I'm only just starting out as well so i'd be more than happy getting anything like those at some point.
Thanks for the info, After the reviews i'd previously read, feedback from this & now seeing the quality of the images its capable of I think i'm definitely going to go for this camera.

Cheers
Steve

[Bob Fotheringham]

I think you will also need an intervalometer with the 2000, it doesn't have one in-built but you can buy one for it.

[Rjesus]

On 16/10/2020 at 12:38, Adam1234 said:

Hi Steve, I started out using the Canon 2000D before I upgraded to a dedicated camera earlier this year,  here is an example of some of the images I have managed to get using this camera to give you an idea of what you could expect. 

These were taken when I was still learning (still lots to learn!) so you'll probably get better insges out of it

 

Hope that helps,

Adam

Hey Adam, those are outstanding photos, thanks for sharing. Would you mind saying what was your whole setup when using the Canon 2000D? I'm looking to buy that camara. 

Thx.

[ollypenrice]

Buying a new 200D, the necessary accessories and the modification is going to cost so much that it will make an almighty dent in any budget for a dedicated camera. It has always seemed to me that the one advantage of a DSLR is that it can be had cheaply. In all other respects they are roundly out-performed by dedicated cameras which, since CMOS took over, have become much, much less expensive.

Olly

[alacant]

On 16/10/2020 at 12:25, Budgie1 said:

Juan sells a new 4000D ready modded for £429

+1. Juan knows his stuff when it comes to DSLRs.

The 2000d is fine, but there are better. @Budgie1's advice of the 4000d is good. For astro, any of the 18mp eos cameras would be preferable. The no frills 4000d, ideal.

Cheers and HTH

 

 

Edited February 6 by alacant

[Adam1234]

21 hours ago, Rjesus said:

Hey Adam, those are outstanding photos, thanks for sharing. Would you mind saying what was your whole setup when using the Canon 2000D? I'm looking to buy that camara. 

Thx.

Thanks! I was using a skywatcher eq6-r mount and skywatcher ed80, possibly with the dedicated field flattener/focal reducer

[Bibabutzemann]

On 05/02/2023 at 23:55, Rjesus said:

Hey Adam, those are outstanding photos, thanks for sharing. Would you mind saying what was your whole setup when using the Canon 2000D? I'm looking to buy that camara. 

Thx.

In my opinion a used 2000D is the best budget camera for astrophotography you can get right now. I disagree that any 18MP Canon will do better. From my personal experience the Canons before 2000D have serious banding issues. The 2000D gives a cleaner image. Also it has the lowest Read-Noise, (better than the 4000D or 200D), which means you can lower exposure times.

I bought the 2000D after i did a comparison between my old 1200D and the 2000D from a friend. Big difference. It has also higher Quantumn efficiency and 24MP is better for sub 800mm focal length IMO.

I got it used (like new) for 200€. If you would want a APS-C sized dedicated astro cam you would have to spend like 5 times the money for a used model. And honestly i dont think the difference between cooled OSC and DSLR is that big that its worth the upgrade. Only during warmer nights combined  with a dark sky / narrowband the difference becomes apparent.

My next step from DSLR will definetely be a mono camera.

 

 

Edited February 14 by Bibabutzemann

[Elbasso]

On 12/02/2021 at 22:29, Bob Fotheringham said:

I think you will also need an intervalometer with the 2000, it doesn't have one in-built but you can buy one for it.

Don't think that is needed as he is intending to use NINA.