[ATMoB-discuss] Best <$400 camera for astro photography

[John Boudreau]

Hi Pedro,

You don't mention what type of astrophotography you're interested in. For instance, there is an _enormous_ difference in requirements between just taking a simple shot of the Moon vs. a shot of a faint nebula or galaxy. So I'll just be answering your question generally. I'll also assume here that your scope/mount combination is one that lends itself well to imaging--- not many do.

What's basically needed is a camera with a removable lens--- like a DSLR, one that can take RAW format and TIFF images. RAW format is the one usually preferred in astro-imaging. A T-ring and telescope adapter are then used to attach the camera body to the scope, an eyepiece or Barlow is only used to increase magnification for either planet or high magnification lunar imaging . Neither of the two cameras you mention can be used this way--- they do not have removable lenses, and can only record images in lossey JPEG format. 
The cameras you mention _can_ be used to take shots of the Moon through an eyepiece, but virtually nothing else. There are rather clunky camera adapters that can be used to hold these type of cameras to an eyepiece, or they can be hand held up to an eyepiece for a quick shot of the Moon if it's bright enough in the scope. Since the camera's lens is still in place, this type of astrophotography is referred to as "afocal" imaging. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digiscoping

The most popular DSLR's used in astrophotography are the Canon 10D, 20D, 30D, Canon 300D and 350D. Some use Nikon DSLR's like the D70 and D50, but the Nikons aren't as user friendly for long exposures as the Canons are. 
All of these DSLR's, and really any "non-astro specific" digital camera that I know of will have a near-IR blocking filter installed over the CCD or CMOS detector--- unfortunately these filters also cut out much of the H-alpha signal from nebula that we typically see as the beautiful reds in many nebula. So many imagers either modify their camera with a special filter to allow more H-alpha light or buy them from a source that modifies them--- this can get very pricey. However many fine astrophotos are taken with unmodified DSLR's. There are also specific camera control and processing programs like Images Plus and MaxIm DSLR that are used to get the most out of DSLR astro-imaging. This can get very expensive rather quickly <g>.

Some useful links to learn more:
http://www.astropix.com/GADC/INTRO.HTM

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/dslr/

And you may want to also join the Digital Astro Yahoo Group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_astro/

Hope this helps,

---John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Neveu, Jean-Noel" <Pedro.Neveu at iona.com>
To: <atmob-discuss at atmob.org>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 4:00 PM
Subject: [ATMoB-discuss] Best <$400 camera for astro photography


Hi all,

I was wondering if any astro-photo experts out there could advise me on
the best under $400 digital camera to get for astro-photography.  Here
are the top 2 I came up with but feel free to suggest others:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_h5-review/#top
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/#top

Thank you very much,

Pedro
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