Oldfield
Postmaster
Reged: 03/20/02
Posts: 5816
Loc: Hong Kong
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Just wonder... the live preview seems a big plus for focusing, just wonder how's the performance, like noise, etc.
Any early samples would be nice. 
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The Home Astronomer from a city where most people are proud of the light pollution
Toys: Orion 100ED, Ranger with NGF-CM, SM40/BF10, TG-SP II, LXD55, DMK 31AF03, Canon 10x30 IS...
My observation log and ideas My General Blog
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Gary Honis
Vendor-DSLR Mods
Reged: 12/15/04
Posts: 220
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I picked up a Canon 450D (XSi)from Circuit City (10% off)to modify for astro use. Dark frame testing and a comparison to the Canon 300D has been posted here:
http://ghonis2.ho8.com/rebelmod450d11.html
Gary Honis
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Gary Honis
DSLR Modification Service
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Oldfield
Postmaster
Reged: 03/20/02
Posts: 5816
Loc: Hong Kong
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thanks.
Longing to see your field test! :-)
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The Home Astronomer from a city where most people are proud of the light pollution
Toys: Orion 100ED, Ranger with NGF-CM, SM40/BF10, TG-SP II, LXD55, DMK 31AF03, Canon 10x30 IS...
My observation log and ideas My General Blog
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Dragon Man
sage
Reged: 03/07/06
Posts: 229
Loc: Snake Valley, Australia
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I can't see how the 'Live View' function could help with focusing as the frames would be too fast to pick up on faint starlight.
But I'm only guessing this is the case.
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IMAGE EDITING AND COMMENT APPROVED
Ken - 12" Dob on a Restored EQ | 8" EQ Reflector | EQ6 & synscan | ED 80 | Modded 840 Toucam Pro II | 20x80 Triplet Binoculars |
Snake Valley Astronomical Association and my own site Australian Astronomy
Who's the Idiot that invented the Light Bulb!
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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You need to try it. It has no problems focusing on stars of 3rd Mag or better. Many people here are having great success doing it, myself included.
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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donsinger1
sage
Reged: 10/28/07
Posts: 298
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Focusing with Liveview makes focusing no more than a one minute procedure using the built-in Canon software...it is fantastic (on my 40D).
Don
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Fun Stuff:)
Portland, OR
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lawrie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/31/06
Posts: 1742
Loc: Okanagan Valley
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How would the 450D compare with a 40D?
Do you have to use shutter control with the 40D or just the USB.
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Clear Skies
Lawrie
Ultima 8
Atlas EQ-G
ZenithStar 80 FD
DSI Pro - Pro II
Canon 350D
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jamiecflinn
newbie
Reged: 10/15/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Brampton, Ontario
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I just used the 450d for the first time last night with my C11 (have been using 300d for years):
1. awsome
2. live view is fantastic for focus and as-or-more accurate than my AFconfirm ring
3. tight stars across the field
4. HUGE image and exceptional resolution
5. used the EOS utility to control the whole process - one click for live view -> focus -> used timer for a sequence -> super speed on the download of the RAW files (3 secs?). This setup was actually superior to my use of DSLRFocus and the 300d - only caveat is that you have no FWHM indicator in the canon software (oh well)
6. battery life was amazing (i fully expected to see it drop using the live view after a while) - should be able to get a whole night with one battery (no more battery grip!!!)
7. nice and light (much better than the 300d)
8. ONE CABLE!!!!!...yes ONE....usb only, no need for the shutter release
9. CAVEAT - mirror lockup does not happen with the EOS utility, but I dont thing the shake registered any more that guiding and wind
10. NO amp glow at the sides!!!! - again, coming from the 300d that is a major bonus
Overall: absolutely fanstastic - need to play with settings for light enhancement etc to make sure that items used in daylight photos dont interfere with staro work.
Need to get under dark skies for a real test with colour and saturation, but it is already far superior than my 300d even with some dinky 4 minute shots (just tests on M51) and a 7 minute on M3.
Will post photos when I get a chance
Cheers
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lawrie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/31/06
Posts: 1742
Loc: Okanagan Valley
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Sounds Great!
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Clear Skies
Lawrie
Ultima 8
Atlas EQ-G
ZenithStar 80 FD
DSI Pro - Pro II
Canon 350D
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TheSheriff
sage
Reged: 07/15/07
Posts: 237
Loc: Oregon
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Quote:
How would the 450D compare with a 40D?
Do you have to use shutter control with the 40D or just the USB.
This is very basic but interesting none the less:
http://www.dpnotes.com/canon-40d-vs-canon-450d-digital-rebel-xsi/
When I was researching my decision (I took the liberty of adding the camera to my sig though it won't arrive till the 17th  ), I recall reading something about the 40D also having an advantage with either chip size, pixel size, noise, or a combination of those. A quick search failed to locate that info and I'm running late for work.
Based on what I found, the 450D should be an excellent AP camera, just not quite as good overall as the 40D. For the price, the 450D seems to be a bargain. Since my camera will also be used for daytime use, I bit the bullet and went for the extra features of the 40D.
From what I understand, the USB and included Canon utilities does it all...you are are not limited to 30 sec exposures in bulb mode when connected to a laptop.
If I find that other info, I'll link it after work.
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Brad
C8SE XLT, TMB 80SS, Orion ST-80
Atlas EQ-G/EQMOD
40D (Self-Mod), WO 0.8 Flat II, SSAG
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FireForEffect
newbie
Reged: 04/06/08
Posts: 1
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Great thread - I'm 12 hours away from picking up a 450D so all this info has been priceless to someone very new to astro imaging and a total novice when it comes to Dslr astro Photography like myself.
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CPC 800 XLT
Watec 120N
DSI Pro
ToUcam Pro II
Edited by FireForEffect (04/15/08 10:55 PM)
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Oldfield
Postmaster
Reged: 03/20/02
Posts: 5816
Loc: Hong Kong
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Quote:
From what I understand, the USB and included Canon utilities does it all...you are are not limited to 30 sec exposures in bulb mode when connected to a laptop.
If I find that other info, I'll link it after work.
That's a big plus as well!
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The Home Astronomer from a city where most people are proud of the light pollution
Toys: Orion 100ED, Ranger with NGF-CM, SM40/BF10, TG-SP II, LXD55, DMK 31AF03, Canon 10x30 IS...
My observation log and ideas My General Blog
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lawrie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/31/06
Posts: 1742
Loc: Okanagan Valley
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I wonder what the pixel size of the 450D is.
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Clear Skies
Lawrie
Ultima 8
Atlas EQ-G
ZenithStar 80 FD
DSI Pro - Pro II
Canon 350D
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TheSheriff
sage
Reged: 07/15/07
Posts: 237
Loc: Oregon
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Well, I still can’t find the source of the information I used for deciding on the 40D over the 450D, but as I recall, the following was the jist of it, and the main reason I chose the 40D for AP, beyond my desire to have a more full-featured daytime camera.
Two quotes from this site…
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=475861&page=4
Quote….
“I looked up the sensor size for the 400D, 450D and the 40D...they are all the same size 22.2 x 14.8 mm
jamming more pixels into the same size sensor ie; 12mg.. makes the pixels smaller and less sensitive to light....they did the same thing with the Canon S UZ series cameras...the S2, S3 and S5 all had the same size sensor with each model having 4/6 and 8 mb with the S2 having the best picture of all three of them”.
And….
“the 30D sensor size is 22.5 x 15.0mm Digic II
the 40D sensor size is 22.2 x 14.8mm Digic III
plus more pixels in the same space become smaller which adds to noise which adds to picture quality”.
I admit I have no clue and have based my personal decision on what others have written. That said, the 450D has nice features at an extremely nice price!
Hope that helped answer the comparison question…back to discussing the 450D. 
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Brad
C8SE XLT, TMB 80SS, Orion ST-80
Atlas EQ-G/EQMOD
40D (Self-Mod), WO 0.8 Flat II, SSAG
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TheSheriff
sage
Reged: 07/15/07
Posts: 237
Loc: Oregon
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Quote:
Great thread - I'm 12 hours away from picking up a 450D so all this info has been priceless to someone very new to astro imaging and a total novice when it comes to Dslr astro Photography like myself.
Oh, sorry, Welcome to CN's.
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Brad
C8SE XLT, TMB 80SS, Orion ST-80
Atlas EQ-G/EQMOD
40D (Self-Mod), WO 0.8 Flat II, SSAG
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Gary Honis
Vendor-DSLR Mods
Reged: 12/15/04
Posts: 220
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I had a clear night on Sunday and even though the skies were lit by the Moon at 75% phase, I did some imaging with the 450D and an Orion ED80. Lunar and Deep Sky images along with my initial thoughts on the camera which I will be modifying for deep sky have been posted here:
http://ghonis2.ho8.com/rebelmod450d12.html
Gary Honis
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Gary Honis
DSLR Modification Service
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TheSheriff
sage
Reged: 07/15/07
Posts: 237
Loc: Oregon
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Gary,
Very nice photos!! I particularly like the first moon shot...looks like you're looking out the window on the way to a lunar landing. Nice detail on the galaxy to the lower left of M13. Very impressive (to me anyway).
My camera arrives tomorrow and forecast is clear. Looks like I will get my first shot at AP, though it will have to be unguided 
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Brad
C8SE XLT, TMB 80SS, Orion ST-80
Atlas EQ-G/EQMOD
40D (Self-Mod), WO 0.8 Flat II, SSAG
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Alex^DJ^
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 1200
Loc: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
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What about long exposure? you still need another cable for this? or with the software of the canon you can already put more than 30 sec?? (i have the 400D and it only gives 30 sec) ???
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My Telescopes and Equipment:
- WO 66SD scope
- ETX-125 (Soon to be sold) "My Big Fat Mak"
- C6-ASGT " The Mexican "
- Starshoot CCD Cam
- Nextimagen Planetary Cam
- Canon EOS Rebel XTi (400D Unmoded)
Eyepices and Accesories:
- Celestron E-Lux 25mm
- GSO Superview 20mm
- GSO Superview 15mm
- ADM dual saddle plate
- 100mm Guide rings
- Orion 2X Shorty barlow
- Garmin E-Trex GPS handheld
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jamiecflinn
newbie
Reged: 10/15/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Brampton, Ontario
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Hey Alex DJ
Long exposures - one cable - and al with the software that comes with the camera - no need for 3rd party suff - I did a run of 4 minute shots and a couple of 7 minutes using EOS utility (see note above) - cruddy skies and my tracking was a little off but the star spread and pixelation are great -> nice small stars and small pixels for smooth roundness - I have already decided to sell off my 300d after one night of playing with 450d.....to give a good opinion on noise levels, I need a night of clear during new moon (been hazy with 1/4 + mooon since I got the camera - light gradients galore)
More as I get it...cheers J
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Canon 450d
C11
ED80
LX200GPS
ST66
Skywathcher 120
Custom 8: f4.5 newt
EQ6 fitted with Vixen Skysensor 2000 pc
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jamiecflinn
newbie
Reged: 10/15/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Brampton, Ontario
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I just uploaded a couple of test shots to flickr...a 2 minute on Mizar (tested the live view there - nicely seperated at and excellent for focus) and a 2 minute on M3...note that skys were hazy and moon past 1/4 + skyglow everywhere.
Look for 450dtest001 nas 002... www.flickr.com/jamiecflinn
Cheers,
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