Newby DSLR question

[Starfleet]

Can someone pls recomend to me a beginner's level Digital SLR camera for capturing faint stars on my telescope?

I dont want to go into very sofisticated photography (very technophobia I am!) I just need a camera to take snappy picture if I aim it into the eyepiece and capture what is showing in the exit pupil.

I really hope there is a simple and cheap DSLR available. Much appreciate it.

[Milamber]

Go find a 300D, should get one for under £120... adapters add another £30 and you're good to go... though a remote release of some sort would be a good investment also (or a firmware hack to allow mirror lock-up).

Arthur

[Sam]

Depending how much you want to spend a Canon 1000D is pretty good and cheap for a new DSLR. It takes great astro shots.

[Starfleet]

Thank you, yes i'm on a budget right now so maybe the 300D is the best one for me.

This guy I ask him which one of methods is best and he said, "afocal projection or prime focus astrophotography".

If i want to image using a 8-inch reflecting telescope with say 200x magnification on the barlow eyepiece, which is the best methodology in your experience? What does Afocal really mean? cheers again, I'm sorry I have no experience with astrophotography at all

[Milamber]

Afocal is taking a picture through an eyepiece, prime focus is using the camera instead of an eyepiece. Afocal will give more magnifiaction since the EP will decide the image scale - prime focus will use the image scale determined by the scope specification multiplied by any barlow/reducer you put in front of the camera.

Arthur

[steve_bham]

Im a Nikon fan, you can get a fair priced Nikon D80.

[Psychobilly]

Generally a Nikon Fan but for Astro -- Canon....

Peter....

[moondog]

After trying Afocal and Eye Piece Projection, I decided that Prime Focus gave the best and most consistent results for imaging with a DSLR. I think most imagers' on SGL with a DSLR use Prime Focus.

For this you remove the lens from the DSLR and connect it to the scope with a 'T' adaptor to suit your camera. The scope then becomes a large telephoto lens for the DSLR. You can use a Barlow with this system to increase the image scale. With a reflector scope you may have problems with getting enough back focus to use the DSLR at Prime Focus. This problem can be sorted by getting a lower profile focusser.

Canon DSLR's seem to be better supported for astro imaging than other makes. The Nikon is also a fine astro DSLR.

MD

[Psychobilly]

Cheap DSLR was the original post...... Nikon D80... still the best part of £500 for the body...

As Millamber said a used Canon 300d or 350D would be an excellent starting point and if you decide its not for you then can be moved on at little or no loss...

Peter...

[Starfleet]

Thank you. I will see if I can get a second hand Cannon 300D somewhere (ebay?).

I really want to know if I can discover new variable stars using astrophotography.