Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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I'm Interested in purchasing a Digital SLR Camera
Which Camera would be the best one to start with that can be used for Astro photography and for at home in the daytime. I have a limited budget so I need to be able to use the camera for both options my budget is about $ 2500 dollars
Thanks
Steve Hopkins
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
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Miguel Lopes
sage
Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 481
Loc: Portugal
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How much $$ for lenses? Half?
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Astrology is the science for ignorants. Astronomy is the science for those who feel ignorant. - Miguel Lopes
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Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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I'm not sure to tell the truth,What lenses would I require?
I'm looking at purchasing a Meade 5000 APO 80 mm to use with my 12 inch LX200R or my Wifes CPC.9.25 and want to buy a Camera that I can use for either Instrument.
Can you clarify you statement a little more?
The Camera will be bought for Astro-Photography but when your paying that kind of money I want it to be able too be used for dual purpose.
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1460
Loc: palm bay,florida
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If I was going to buy a camera now with that bidget it would be the Canon 5D or 5D MarkII,both full frame sensors(HUGE +),and GREAT Canon performance!!
Hands down go with Canon...and the full frame sensor for under 2k new(Ebay)is a huge bonus..
I am no expert but this would be my choice...
I would also choose to MOD the cam for astro use and buy an Xnite CC1 filter for daytime use!!!
Hope this helps
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!! 
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1460
Loc: palm bay,florida
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There is a 5D on Amart right now for $2100(great deal)and its already modified 
And no I am not the seller or have any affiliation with them... 
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!!
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WarrenS
sage
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 324
Loc: Hudson Valley New York
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For $2500, I would get the new Canon 50D with the 18-200 zoom for very flexible daytime use. Canon is the way to go for astro, and you'll have money left over for the various adapters you'll need. The Nikon D300 with their 18-200 zoom would also be a good choice. The 18-200 zoom isn't really an astro lens, but you did say you wanted something for daytime as well. If the $2500 budget includes the 80mm APO, then just get the basic 18-55 mm kit lens for daytime.
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Warren
Astro-Tech 127EDT
Celestron Onyx 80ED
C8 (circa 1983 Orange Tube)
Atlas EQ-G
Canon 135mm F2.8
Canon 40D, Astronomik CLS clip filter
Leica, Minolta binos
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Mojo.LA
member
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 41
Loc: Monrovia CA
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Second Warren's recommendation. I have an older Canon 20D with the 17-85IS lens. I've had other lenses and they just sit -- I love the 17-85IS. I love taking piggyback astro shots with it, and have done a few prime focus pictures, but now use a cooled SBIG camera for that.
Mojo
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--
Morris Jones
mojo@whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
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FoxK
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/07
Posts: 1804
Loc: Cape Cod, MA
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I think Canons AND Nikons are a good choice. Many Nikons don't have "liveview" however which helps alot on getting focus on a nearby star etc before slewing to photo your subject. I'd take a look at the new Nikon (D90) i think that has Liveview. I currently use a Nikon d40x which i'm pretty happy with. Some other things to consider are....if your going to someday want to modify it to allow it to capture some DSO's that emit or reflect light in the hydrogen wavelengths, then there's the fact that there's alot of help online on removing the filter from a Canon that blocks these wavelengths, making photo'ing them difficult to impossible and replacing it with new filters that pass the Hydrogen wavelengths. I've seen not a single one on Nikon adaptation.
Lens consideration is only a concern if you plan on widefield imaging without using the telescope but having the cam on the mount for its tracking, or EP projection of some sort in which the cam lens is used to image the EP image. I'd wager to say that by far, the most popular and successful imaging with DSLR's is via "prime focus", where the cam, without a lens is attached to the telescope via an adaptor and the scope becomes the "lens" I'd use the lens consideration primarily for terrestrial use.
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Orion 80mm ED Apo Refractor
8" Classic Dob (used as Newtonian on CG5 mount)
Meade 70-AZ-A 70mm Guider using PHD
LS60TCaK/B600/C
CG-5 Advanced GT Mount
Nikon D40x with T-Adaptors
Philips SPC900NC
Imaging Source DMK 21AU04.AS
Dome=the box my mount came in so I can see my solar images in bright sun lol
- click for cloud prediction for Plymouth, MA. area
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1460
Loc: palm bay,florida
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I will chime back in here about Nikons.
Dont get one.Unless it is a D200(not D300,the reason is the D200 uses a CCD sensor with less noise than the D300 CMOS).
I am a nikon guy and I would not get another one for astro use.Sorry to dissapoint Nikononians but its true.Nikon's do NOT produce a true RAW frame...check this out: http://astrosurf.com/buil/d70v10d/eval.htm
They are hands down(IMO) better at daytime photography!!But Canons win hands down for AP...for several reasons too.1)TRUE RAWS 2)Complete automation of imaging session(cant do it to nikon because of "mode 3") 3)Software support. 4)...
Foxk check this out for taking apart a Nikon: http://www.lifepixel.com/IR.htm
And I do not see why you guys would suggest for astro use a cam with an APS-C sized sensor with TINY(~4.5um) pixels(more noise) as apposed to a FULL FRAME sensor with NORMAL(7-9um) pixels...it kinda boggles my mind..
I am no expert and I am sure that someone(hopefully ccs_hello will chime in here)will be by to set the recourd straight...
Just because the 50D is newer does not mean it is a better cam(astro use,dont know much on daytime use of these).
I would love to have a full frame OSC(one shot color) imager...But then again I would love to have a brand new daytime cam with 15MP....kinda a toss up,I can see your point now...
This is all just my personal preference and opinion...
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!!
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joejoe
member
Reged: 08/04/08
Posts: 62
Loc: Switzerland
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If you already have a big investment in Nikon lenses then get a Nikon. Otherwise go for a Canon.
For daytime use, I love the VR (Vibration reduction) lens on my Nikon. It really is amazing - it adds a few f stops so I can shoot in the dark without a flash. Canon call it 'image stabiliser' and I'm sure it's just a good, although I have not tried it yet. If you haven’t used one before, you must try it out before you select the lens. Of course this only applies to daytime use...
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Celestron Nexstar 8SE
Maxvision MN152 F4.8 Mak-Newt
Megrez 72 APO
EQ6 Mount
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ChazK
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
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New Cannon 40D's are going for around $1700.00 with a pretty substantial 28-135mm lens
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Tak TOA 130mm/NJP Temma2
Tak FS 60CB
Canon 40D (unmodded)
Astronomik CLS
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6
www.digitalunatic.com
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Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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Gentleman thanks everyone for your responses it looks like a Canon Camera will be in the works shortly.
I just purchased the CD Book A Guide to Astrophotography with DSLR Cameras by Jerry Lodriguss he recommends a Hutech/Canon Spectrum-Enhanced Digital SLR Camera can they be used for daytime digital photography?
Thanks
Steve H
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
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Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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I haven't received the CD yet I was just browsing his web page
http://www.astropix.com/GADC/GADC.HTM
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
|
nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1460
Loc: palm bay,florida
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A modded cam CAN be used for daytime use...
First make sure that you replace the filter being taken out of the cam with either a specific filter(i.e. IR block)or clear glass with the exact same thickness so your autofocus will work correctly..I believe Hutech does this in some of thier modding packages..
Second,in order to get correct color balance,you can either use a custom white balance(i have never doe this so I cannot speak of its performance) or get an X-nite CC1(from MaxMax)filter for your lenses(I have used one for awhile and love its perfect color balance).The only problem with using an external filter on your lenses is that if you own many different lenses it can get expensive buying one for every lens.I only owned 2-3 lenses with all nearly the same filter size,so I just ordered step down/up rings to accomodate this...
Hope this helps
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!!
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Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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Thanks very much for all the info just another couple of stupid questions if you don't mind
If I'm reading this correct you don't need a modified Camera to take pictures " correct" and a off the shelf Canon Camera should work just fine?
Would my 12 inch LX200R make a good platform for DSLR photography or do you suggest getting a smaller telescope IE: Meade 5000 APO 80mm etc. I know nothing about this at all I jumped into Astronomy pretty heavy in the last year and a half with having no idea on Telescopes Observatories etc.
Now I have both this forum and everyones wonderful Ideas has cost me a fortune but I am having a ball , I love every minute of it and should have done it years ago. Now I want to get into Astro photography as I think thats the next logical step.
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12073
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Stock cam (NON-Modded) will still do just fine.
Imaging with the LX200R will be tough, especially for a Newbie, as that LONG focal length is tough to work with. This is why most imagers recommend starting with a smaller scope with a shorter focal length. (Any of those various ED80's are a GREAT start!)...
To help with the imaging, Guiding is important. Not required, but still very helpful for longer exposure time. You can get an ED80 and use it for the main imaging scope, and guide with the LX200, or the other way around. 
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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I asked this question in Film Astro Photography section as film may be another option
I would also like your take on it for a Digital SLR Camera so here we go... I live in a pretty Brutal environment 6-7 month of the year temperature's do get brisk -10 to -45 is there any temperature limitations for DSLR Camera's (The best seeing is in the winter)
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
|
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