New DSLR - will it work?

[philsail1]

Thanks for that review Dave. I've just looked at it. Good in depth review. (fired me up even more now!).

There is another good one, by a company called "Cameralabs" on "utube,"

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_G1/video_review.shtml

where the editor goes through all the features of the Panasonic G1.

"arad85."

With the G1 being so light, I was going to use my digicamera bracket to mount the camera to the scope - to either take "afocal" shots, or remove the lens and take "prime focus" shots. (I would save up for an adaptor).

I'm trying to get an "SLR" camera that is "all things to all men!" Am I hoping for too much?

I've had (and am still having) great fun with the little Canon A570is Digicamera over the past two years. If I can get something of a similar size and weight - and which gives quality photos I would be happy. I do want to use the camera mainly for terrestrial shots - but with the added bonus of at least being able to get "some" astro photos too. I'm not into imaging in a big way - I just don't have the time (or money!) to pursue this very exciting (and exacting!) science.

Although its hard (when we live in a "must have it now," "going to get it now!" society), I will "steel" myself to wait until later in the year to see if the price of the Panasonic G1 comes down a bit. (Who knows, there may be even better cameras out by then!).

Thanks for all your advice - and encouragement!

Regards,

philsail1

[philsail1]

Hello All.

Well, after looking at many, many reviews of DSLR cameras, I managed to narrow my choice down to four possibilities. (In order of preference)

1. A Canon 1000D

2. A Panasonic Lumix G1 (4 thirds size)

3. A Pentax 2000K

4. A Sony Alpha A230.

After handling the different models, and again reading the specs on them, I have finally come to choose the Canon 1000D. Currys are selling this for £399 at the moment. I've searched around on the internet and various places are selling it for just £10 or twenty pounds less.

Incidently, when doing a brief test on the Panasonic Lumix G1, the Sony A230, and the Canon 1000D, (Courtesy of the sales staff in Currys) I found that both the Sony and Panasonic cameras would not allow use with the lens detached. Only the Canon 1000D would allow me press the shutter without the lens being attached. I instantly thought that as much as I liked the Panasonic and Sony, they would be no good at all for Astrophotography - unless I was missing some control option wich allowed one to set the camera to take a photo with the lens off?

Looking at the images (on the reviews) I must say that everyone who recommended Canon Cameras to me, are so right in saying that Canon really do produce excellent images - especially at high "ISO's".

Before I take the plunge (I know I should wait for a couple of months for prices to drop a little), I was wondering if anyone had any reservations about this particular model (1000D). I know it is advertised (and reviewed) as a basic model - a sort of trimmed down Canon 450D, but the 1000D has "live view" (which will help me compose and more importantly "focus" a shot before taking it), and an "anti shake" image (lens based) system. It also has an anti dust system built in.

Does seem excellent value for £399. (Am I reight in presuming I can obtain a suitable adapter to fit the camera (minus its lens) direct to my scope?

I would be most interested in your thoughts on the above.

Regards,

philsail1

[Psychobilly]

Phil,

Find the user manuals for the cameras your interested online and check... the ability to release the shutter without a lens attached is often controlled by the camera settings...

Peter...

[philsail1]

Ah! Many thanks for your advice Peter. I'll look them up tonight.

Regards,

philsail1

[adamsp123]

Phil,

If you go for the 1000D, an excellent choice IMO, for any DSLR be warned that if you are going to image using your Orion Newt I reckon you will need an Coma corrector eg Baader MPCC and if you do so you will need to get the right T adaptor, I originally had a "long nose" all in one type but that put the MPCC too far away from the CMOS sensor, the required distance being 55mm IIRC so I had to buy the type that only has the bayonet and an internal screw thread link below.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=tadaptor

original I had was this, ok without MPCC but no good with

http://www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/astro-engineering/astro-camera-adaptor/AC696-2inch%20to%20camera/DSLR.html

Have a word with FLO, or Bern at Modernastronomy those guys can talk you through it.

If you suffer LP like me, I use the SW LP filter, not necessarily the best but cheap and does a pretty good job IMO.

So I have camera body T adaptor MPCC screwed in and filter in front of that.

With live view plus a Bahtinov mask (home made is fine) you get dead on focus, use a bright star then slew to subject, half the battle won. BTW I also use live view at 10X to get my gotos spot on.

Cheaper Canons here http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Good luck with the purchase

Pete

[jgs001]

Phil, there really isn't a lot in it between the 1000d and 450d. The 450d has a couple of features, like spot metering (not really relevant for Astro, unless you're trying to use the light meter on the moon) and a couple of Mp (iirc) more, not really an issue unless you want to print out real big. The Canon IS is the same across the range, in lens. The Anti dust system does work quite nicely, but won't prevent or remove all the dust on the sensor. It's not really a big deal though, either with the small amount of dust I get on the 450d or to clean it.

I'd suggest you have a look at

Canon EOS 1000D Digital SLR Camera Body (2766B018AA) - Warehouse Express

and if not buying shortly

Canon EOS 1000D Body from £314.99, UK Specialist Price Comparison Site, Camera Price Buster

although according to Camerapricebuster the 1000d is 339 at Currys and there's a £10 off code (might be included).

[philsail1]

Many thanks for the information on the adapter and filter Peter, I'll definately have a word with Steve or James from First Light Optics.

Thanks for the Canon price reductions link John. I'm going to try and hang on for at least a couple more weeks to see if there are ant further price reductions!

Oh, I checked the downloadable camera manual (for the Panasonic G1) Peter (Psychobilly) and you are right - SLR shutter can be made to work without the lens being attached. However, I think I am going to stick with going for the Canon 1000D.

The images are so good.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Regards,

philsail1

[dph1nm]

The G1 and cousins look like they should be great for astrophotography on Newtonians, given the shorter focus length - but I couldn't find anyone selling micro 4/3 T2 adapters yet, and the adapters that do exist (to convert to other lens mounts) seem to cost nearly as much as the camera!

NigelM

[Psychobilly]

AFAIK if it's a "proper" micro4/3-T2 adaptor then your not going to gain anything as it would have to give the 55mm mount to sensor distance that is required for T2 lenses... now if soemone was to make a micro 4/3 to T-thread adaptor for Astro use then you could ignore that requirement..and make it shorter...

I guess your going to see Micro 4/3 to 4/3 and then 4/3 to T...

Peter...

[philsail1]

Hello all,

I still haven't bought my Canon 1000D yet - waiting until at least mid September to see if prices do drop a little. Definately going for the Canon 1000D now.

In the meantime.

Just a question:-

"Could I mount a DSLR on a digicam adapter (as in photo below), then rack the camera right up to the telescope focusing tube (without an eyepiece fitted), and use it that way (without a proper adapter)?" (Or would there be a danger of dust getting inside the camera and onto the sensor?).

Regards,

philsail1

[Psychobilly]

I wouldn't for the very reason you mentioned... although the 1000D has a system which vibrates the filter over the sensor to dislodge dust It's much better to keep it out of there in the first place...

Either use a T adaptor for prime focus or one of the EP projection adaptor (AC325) that are out there if your after a bit more image scale...

If the focuser has a 2" fitting then the Max dslr adaptors are superb and excellent VFM...they have the maximum possible clear aperture to minimize vignetting...

Peter...

[jgs001]

I agree with Peter on that Phil. In fact, I keep a 2" LP filter in the MaxDSLR adapter so there's always glass of some sort in front of the open body. When the MaxDSLR isn't in use, it's capped both ends..

[BlueAstra]

Check you can get a suitable Tmount adapter for the 4/3s lens system. When I was looking into this last Christmas (at the Panasonic G1 specifically) I couldn't find anything suitable except a very expensive Panasonic adapter for their normal lenses. In the end, after forum advice, I went for the Canon 1000D.

[philsail1]

Many thanks for the sound, knowledgeable and very reassuring advice Peter & John. The "MaxDSLR" adapter looks the business - I'll contact FLO to order one next week.

"BlueAstra" Thanks for your advice re the 4/3rds adapters. I too am going to go for the Canon 1000D. I've look at several reviews, and comparisons on the Internet, and the Canon 1000D consistantly comes out in the lead - certainly as far as image quality is concerned.

Hope to pick mine up from John Lewis stores (as I have a £25.00 voucher I can use!).

Many thanks to all for your advice.

Regards,

Philsail1

[BlueAstra]

You might want to look at Argos. Jessops do the basic 1000d+18-55 lens for 399, or 499 if you go for the stabilized lens. Argos list the 1000d + 18-55 & 75-300 for 499, both lenses unstabilized. JLewis will price match, usually anywhere in UK so you could use your voucher against the 2 lens Argos kit. Worth doing a check anyway for the cheapest 1000d source, then use the info for price match at JLewis.

[philsail1]

Aye,

Thanks "BlueAstra" I'll be getting in touch with "John Lewis" pretty soon (after checking lowest price on internet.

Regards,

philsail1

[jgs001]

The 18-55 IS lens is supposed to be a better quality lens than the non IS lens. I think the non IS lens is the older kit lens from the 350d etc... I've no experience of it, but the IS kit lens is pretty good.

[Psychobilly]

£100 extra for the IS version is a bit steep especially when IIRC I paid £369 for the 1000D 18-55 IS kit... last Crimbo...

Peter...

[jgs001]

Blimey, it is isn't it... Especially when for the same price you can also get the 70-300....