Shawn T
member
Reged: 08/12/05
Posts: 71
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Thought this might be useful here after coming across it on dpreview.com. Its a review of the Canon 40D geared towards astrophotography.
Three keys items if you just want the short version. Live view does allow for focusing of stars on the LCS screen with the 10x magnification.
The software Canon now ships with the camera allows for exposures greater than 30s. Essentally the TC80N in software format.
The 14bit A/D does work well (4 times the detail over 12bit) but adds some additional noise. At least from what I can tell reading it. The noise seems to be offset though by the additional detail. So its a bit of a trade.
Review is here: http://astrosurf.com/buil/eos40d/test.htm
Sorry if this was posted already. I did a scan through the last 5 pages of posts and didn't see it though. Hope its helpful for anyone looking to buy a new camera. Though its going to be very interseting when the new Nikon comes out to see how it does.
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Shawn
Celestron 80ED on a CG5-ASGT
Canon 350D & 40D unmodified
Old Binoculars
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dvb
different Syndrome.
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 5487
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Thanks, Shawn -- extremely interesting -- especially the live focus
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"The heaventree of stars hung with humid nightblue fruit"
James Joyce (Ulysses)
Home-built Newt:
10" f/4.5 Royce conical primary
Optical Supports Cell
Antares Optics Secondary
1800 Destiny curved spider
MoonLite focuser
Hastings Tube
Parallax and Dauzat rings
Skywatcher NEQ6, Astrotroniks tuned
iEQ45
8" f/4 Skywatcher Quattro CF
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Astro_Slacker
super member
Reged: 03/06/06
Posts: 196
Loc: Zurich, Switzerland
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Holy cow 
Not only live view for focusing but also long exposure with nothing more than the USB cable (even with remote control of EF lens motors)!!! Add to this the higher sensitivity and the 14bit DigicIII - I guess Canon just made a great camera for astrophotography 
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Cheers, Eddie
GM2000 QCI Ultraport
William Optics FLT-132
William Optics Megrez II Triplet ED
William Optics Megrez 72FD
Canon EOS 40DH
Alpine skies with lots o'clouds...
Visit me at http://www.astroslacker.ch/
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2020BC
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/03/05
Posts: 984
Loc: Australia
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Hmmm, is it time to think about an upgrade? 
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Global Warming Unbeliever
EQ-6 SN8; Baader MPCC Coma Corrector
Orion 80ED; WO x0.8 Field Flattener
Mintron 62V1P-Ex; & 13V1C Video & DMK 21AU04.AS
Canon Digital Rebel 350D DSLR (50mm f1.8 & 200mm f2.8L USM II) and a bunch of other stuff.
Visit My Website
Edited by 2020BC (09/11/07 05:25 AM)
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Strgazr27
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 7104
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Although it offers a bunch of nice features not found on previous models other than the 20Da, the sensitivity in the red end of the spectrum is still poor and would need to be modded to be considered a great AP camera.
Would love to see one of these after Hutech gets their hands on it.
CS's
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Bobby
http://www.strgazr27.zenfolio.com
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skyler
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/16/06
Posts: 1688
Loc: TGPNW
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Has there been any information posted about its Amp Glow properties? If it can do what the XTi can in that regard, I am sold.
Thanks,
S
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GeorgeNC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/26/07
Posts: 1181
Loc: Land of the Sky, North Carolin...
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Quote:
Would love to see one of these after Hutech gets their hands on it.
CS's
Looks like Hutech already has some, $1795.00
Hutech
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Celestron C11 on CGE Mount
Stellarvue 80mm Nighthawk II
W.O. Flt110 on CGEM
Canon 40D (Hap Griffin modified)
Orion StarShoot Autoguider
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skyler
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/16/06
Posts: 1688
Loc: TGPNW
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Checked on the Hutech and it is a couple weeks out as the original batch was sold out already.
S
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Mike D
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/15/07
Posts: 864
Loc: South GA
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At that price tag looks like I'll have to go with the 350D...
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Vixen SXD
Vixen ED80Sf
Hutech 350D
STI Stiletto
Meade 2080
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Poochpa
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 798
Loc: Buffalo Burbs, NY
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Quote:
Has there been any information posted about its Amp Glow properties? If it can do what the XTi can in that regard, I am sold.
Thanks,
S
Like the XTi, the 40D has no amp glow.
Mike
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Strgazr27
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 7104
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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I spoke with Ted at 3:30 this afternoon and placed an order for the Type 1 40D 
According to Ted, looks to be a 10-14 day lead time.
I'll keep everyone posted.
CS's
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Bobby
http://www.strgazr27.zenfolio.com
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weatherandsky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/27/06
Posts: 2066
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey guys,
Do you see any major benefit to waiting for a while before buying this? DO you think they'll come up with a digital rebel version of this wHich could be lighter and less expensive, with still some of the main features and capabilities....
I feel I got a lot of good use out of my 300D over the past 3-4 years. It could be time to upgrade.
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Kerry
* Weather and Sky Photography *
https://twitter.com/#!/weatherandsky
QHY-8, Canon 40D unmodded, Meade DSI-C
Meade 12" LightBridge
Astro-Tech 8in RC
Celestron C6-SCT
Sky-Watcher Equinox 80mm APO
Omcon 4.5" Newt
Celestron Skymaster 15x70
Canon 50 f1.8, 100 f2.8Macro, 100-400 f4.5-5.6L, Sigma 17-70, 18-50, 28-300
CGE, CG-5 GT
Edited by weatherandsky (09/12/07 10:49 AM)
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Shawn T
member
Reged: 08/12/05
Posts: 71
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Just wanted to report back. I picked up my 40D yesterday (Aden Store in Toronto) and wanted to share some findings.
Live view for focusing works great. Under low light the display can get noisey as it boosts the signel to get the screen bright. This doesn't interfere with any operations or focusing, just an observation that low light works reasonably well.
Next step would be to try with a Hartman Mask to see if enough light will get through to see the stars on the screen. I might have to re-do my Hartman mask with bigger holes or different variations of holes. However first light for me is going to be a long ways off so if someone else can beat me to this test please do.
Focusing with live view off the laptop works amazingly. With the EF lenses there are 3 levels of focus, coarse, fine, ultra fine. Just click the buttons to dial in exactly what you want without touching the camera. Great for wide field work. If you had an electronic focuser for your telescope you could watch on the screen for the focus you want.
With the wireless grip you could in theory setup the scope outside and then sit inside to do all your operations if your scope had remote capabilities as well.
Live view allows you to rotate the image. This way if your camera is on a eq mount and ends up some weird way around you could rotate it to make viewing on the screen easier. (90 degree rotation increments)
Interval exposures over usb works just like the TC80N with a few minor exceptions. There are min settings you have to watch for. Min 2 exposures and min 5s on shots.
Live view locks up the mirror so by using this you get a mirror lock-up as a bonus. Then when plugged into a laptop the LCD on the back turns off and just displays to the laptop. This acomplishes two things. Stops heat from the LCD and no mirror slap. With the TC80N you would still have to deal with the mirror.
If I think of anything else Ill post here. If anyone has questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them. Attaching the camera to the scope and doing a feild test is a ways off for me so I won't be able to answer those questions right now.
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Shawn
Celestron 80ED on a CG5-ASGT
Canon 350D & 40D unmodified
Old Binoculars
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Andrew Welsh
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/28/06
Posts: 2571
Loc: Rochester, NY
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I am seriously considering upgrading to this camera... not only for astrophotography, but also for general photography. That 14-bit feature is VERY attractive. The live view focus and USB long exposure control are simply gravy.
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LX200 8" classic, f/10, Meade eq. wedge, .63x FF/FR
Canon 40D (LifePixel clear glass mod) and 5DMkII, unmodified
Canon EF 200/2L IS, 400/5.6L, 100/2.8 Macro, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 35L, 24L, 17-40L and Peleng 8mm fisheye
Orion Apex 102mm (4") Mak-Cass
Pimped out with accessories and bling
My DSLR Astrophotography Webpage and photo bucket with full equipment list
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weatherandsky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/27/06
Posts: 2066
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
I am seriously considering upgrading to this camera... not only for astrophotography, but also for general photography. That 14-bit feature is VERY attractive. The live view focus and USB long exposure control are simply gravy.
I totally agree!!! I am so glad I've been holding out this long before upgrading.
I'm really looking forward to hearing more feedback from people that are using it for astrophotography. Did any one hear anything about astro images being a little on the softer side compared to other models?? I heard this from a friend but havent actually found any articles or comments supporting that.
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Kerry
* Weather and Sky Photography *
https://twitter.com/#!/weatherandsky
QHY-8, Canon 40D unmodded, Meade DSI-C
Meade 12" LightBridge
Astro-Tech 8in RC
Celestron C6-SCT
Sky-Watcher Equinox 80mm APO
Omcon 4.5" Newt
Celestron Skymaster 15x70
Canon 50 f1.8, 100 f2.8Macro, 100-400 f4.5-5.6L, Sigma 17-70, 18-50, 28-300
CGE, CG-5 GT
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Shawn T
member
Reged: 08/12/05
Posts: 71
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Quote:
I totally agree!!! I am so glad I've been holding out this long before upgrading.
I'm really looking forward to hearing more feedback from people that are using it for astrophotography. Did any one hear anything about astro images being a little on the softer side compared to other models?? I heard this from a friend but havent actually found any articles or comments supporting that.
I too have seen various comments on the images from others. For me upgrading from an XT to the 40D means that its a completely diffrent sensor. As a result I have noticed diffrences in the images. Nothing that can't be adjusted in post thought. My assumption is that many people shoot in jpg that are use to a specific look and the settings out of the box for the 40D don't provide this look.
Even shooting RAW, which I do, the images are diffrent and I am experimenting to determing what changes to my workflow are needed to get to where I want to be.
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Shawn
Celestron 80ED on a CG5-ASGT
Canon 350D & 40D unmodified
Old Binoculars
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Andrew Welsh
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/28/06
Posts: 2571
Loc: Rochester, NY
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Quote:
Quote:
I am seriously considering upgrading to this camera... not only for astrophotography, but also for general photography. That 14-bit feature is VERY attractive. The live view focus and USB long exposure control are simply gravy.
I totally agree!!! I am so glad I've been holding out this long before upgrading.
I'm really looking forward to hearing more feedback from people that are using it for astrophotography. Did any one hear anything about astro images being a little on the softer side compared to other models?? I heard this from a friend but havent actually found any articles or comments supporting that.
I hadn't heard that comment, but it does make sense. There are more pixels crammed into the same size sensor.. which, if viewed at 100%, would look "softer" due to the angular size of each pixel being less (given the person was using the same scope for both cameras).
I know with my 8" SCT imaging at f/10 I'm oversampling a bit with my Rebel XT. Especially since my seeing conditions (and I'd assume yours would be the same Kerry since you're 100 miles due west of me) are around 1.5 to 2 arcseconds on most nights. The 40D would definitely oversample, and I'd be better off using a .63x focal reducer, otherwise I'd just be wasting pixels.
The 14 bits is big, big, big for astro though....
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LX200 8" classic, f/10, Meade eq. wedge, .63x FF/FR
Canon 40D (LifePixel clear glass mod) and 5DMkII, unmodified
Canon EF 200/2L IS, 400/5.6L, 100/2.8 Macro, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 35L, 24L, 17-40L and Peleng 8mm fisheye
Orion Apex 102mm (4") Mak-Cass
Pimped out with accessories and bling
My DSLR Astrophotography Webpage and photo bucket with full equipment list
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frisianstar
member
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 58
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Hello shawn, I have from Baader Planetarium (Germany) a special filter made for the 30 D DSLR for better IR response.
Do you think this filter can also mounted (by my self) to a 40 D?
The 40 D has now a dust remover
from a cloudly holland, "frisianstar"
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Shawn T
member
Reged: 08/12/05
Posts: 71
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Hi Holland,
While I don't know exactly if it will work or not. I can say that with the 40Ds cleaning system that it probably isn't possible.
Here is a diagram of the 40D sensor parts.
http://a.img-dpreview.com/previews/CanonEOS40D/Images/Whatsnew/selfcleaning.jpg
If you mounted the filter yourself to the 30D then you might be able to spot where it would go on the 40D. Someone else would have to answer the question of compatablity with the cleaner/shaker.
I'll keep my eye out for any info regarding this and let you know if I find anything.
Shawn
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Shawn
Celestron 80ED on a CG5-ASGT
Canon 350D & 40D unmodified
Old Binoculars
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frisianstar
member
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 58
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Thanks Shawn, looking at diagram of the sensor parts, I'm 80% sure the 30D filter won't fit on a 40 D.
I see also several filters in front of the cmos sensor, this
may cause unwanted reflections.
I don't have yet a DSLR, the 30D are now very low in price,
but I need also the timer.
Holland
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