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Astrophotography and Sketching >> DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing

Pages: 1

moxican
super member

Reged: 11/13/11

Loc: Toronto, ON

DSLR dilemma
#5624949 - 01/15/13 06:41 PM

Hello guys. I'd just need some advice here. I have bought a Canon T3 about 4-5 months ago with the thought that I will do AP and daytime photography with it. As it turned out It is better to mod a cam to be really good at AP with DSLR. So since I did not want to invalidate the warranty on the T3 I have purchased a used 450D to modify. But now that I have that it is in so good shape that I am feeling sorry to modify it and rather modify the T3. The 450D looks brand new. So which one would you modify? And why?

Post Extras:

Alex McConahay
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/11/08

Loc: Moreno Valley, CA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: moxican]
#5624960 - 01/15/13 06:50 PM

I do not quite understand the question........Are both the T3 and the 450 in good shape? Is one good, the other not? You say the 450 looks new.....if so, let us assume it is in good shape.

Modify the 450, and use the T-3 as your daytime camera. THe 450 has everything you need for astroimaging. The T-3 does not really add much to it astroimaging wise. And the T-3 with its better movies, and tilt screen is better for daylight.

Alex

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mmalik
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/13/12

Loc: USA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: moxican]
#5624961 - 01/15/13 06:53 PM Attachment (25 downloads)

450D is the one you wanna mod. Following are most commonly modded cams for astro (with the exception of 'a' models). Thx

Edited by mmalik (01/16/13 07:31 PM)

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austin.grant
sage

Reged: 10/18/10

Loc: Shreveport, LA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: moxican]
#5624980 - 01/15/13 07:06 PM

In your shoes, I'd keep the 450D (XSi) for daytime and mod the T3 for astro. In my opinion, the 450D feels nicer, and the ultrasonic dust removal on the sensor is always helpful.

The only caveat is that some users are reporting strange, "dark column" issues around bright stars with the T3. I don't know if anyone was able to resolve the issues, and I'm not sure if Canon replaced any of the defective cameras.

The good news is that if you perform a full spectrum mod, and are careful, it's not hard to completely reverse the procedure and have the camera back to "good as new."

Edited by austin.grant (01/15/13 07:10 PM)

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microstar
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/05/08

Loc: Canada

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: mmalik]
#5625049 - 01/15/13 07:40 PM

What do the colors in the chart mean?
...Keith

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austin.grant
sage

Reged: 10/18/10

Loc: Shreveport, LA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: microstar]
#5625061 - 01/15/13 07:46 PM

They indicate which Digic processor(s) the camera features: Digic 1=purple, 2=blue, 3=red, 4=orange, and 5=green

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RedLionNJ
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/29/09

Loc: Red Lion, NJ, USA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: microstar]
#5625070 - 01/15/13 07:49 PM

Quote:

What do the colors in the chart mean?
...Keith

I think they're to differentiate between the different versions of the Canon DIGIC processor. General trend is left-to-right with the 650D having the DIGIC 5.

Grant

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Hap Griffin
Vendor (Imaging Infinity)

Reged: 04/15/08

Loc: Sumter, SC

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: RedLionNJ]
#5625083 - 01/15/13 07:58 PM

I agree with Alex. The 450 has some of the best noise performance of any of the Canons.

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austin.grant
sage

Reged: 10/18/10

Loc: Shreveport, LA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: Hap Griffin]
#5625148 - 01/15/13 08:36 PM

Just to be clear, the T3 has no tilt/swivel screen. That's the T3i. Also, the video on the T3 (450D doesn't have it) would be great for planetary imaging.

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moxican
super member

Reged: 11/13/11

Loc: Toronto, ON

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: austin.grant]
#5625231 - 01/15/13 09:29 PM

I am leaning towards moding the T3 a little bit. Reason being that the T3 has a wider range of Iso settings than the 450D, a lot wider. Also the T3 has a DIGIC 4 processor and a 14 bit sensor while the 450D has a DIGIC 3 and 12 bit sensor. I used the T3 for AP so far (without the mod) and I did experienced the "dark column" effect, but only around bright stars. Nothing that photoshop can't fix. I did not know that it's a general problem

However I did find this test page to compare:http://ghonis2.ho8.com/T3iReview/T3iReview.html

Edited by moxican (01/15/13 09:31 PM)

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jgraham
Postmaster

Reged: 12/02/04

Loc: Dayton, Ohio

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: moxican]
#5625245 - 01/15/13 09:39 PM

Hmmm, I thought the the 450D had a 14 bit ADC, the 400D had a 12 bit. I'd consider modifying the 450D as it is the older camera and it as excellent noise characteristics. Once modified the higher gains become less attractive in my opine-ion.

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moxican
super member

Reged: 11/13/11

Loc: Toronto, ON

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: jgraham]
#5625280 - 01/15/13 09:57 PM

You're right John the 450D has a 14 bit sensor as well. Thanks for the correction.

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nofxrx
Vendor (HyperCams & Mods)

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Palm Bay,Florida

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: jgraham]
#5625281 - 01/15/13 09:57 PM

Yes, John is right. The XSi/450D does have 14Bit ADC

I would go with the 450D for mod..like Hap suggested.
1) less noise
2) the "video" of the T3 is NOT very good...It does NOT have 1:1 crop mode, and 'only' does 720/30p(IIRC)...i.e. not great for planetary..

Just my 2

's

Good luck!

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austin.grant
sage

Reged: 10/18/10

Loc: Shreveport, LA

Re: DSLR dilemma new

[Re: nofxrx]
#5625290 - 01/15/13 10:04 PM

Regarding video for planetary, I agree that it's not the ideal 1:1. That said, the best resource I've found, Jerry Lodriguss, seems to suggest that it's by no means a deal-breaker. See here: DSLR Planetary Imaging

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nofxrx
Vendor (HyperCams & Mods)

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Palm Bay,Florida

Re: DSLR dilemma new