Weasner's Canon DSLR Astrophotography Discussion Page

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WITH CANON DIGITAL SLRs

Last updated: 27 December 2011

This page documents Canon DSLR camera comments, tips, and photos. Search the site for "canon dslr" for other items about the Canon DSLR cameras. Contributions welcome.

Subject: You are costing me a lot of money...and it's well worth it! Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 19:23:56 From: Kenny Dubuisson (kdubuisson@me.com) I've been so entranced by your astrophotography shots and wanting to do that myself that I finally got my camera for Christmas a few days ago. I ended up going with the Canon EOS 60D and I'm loving it so far. I've yet to get all the adapters and a prime focuser for the scope (for which I'm going to get your advice before I buy) but I wanted to share some shots I took yesterday of the sun in the clouds and I was amazed at the camera because I had it in total manual mode with zero coloring and filters (and the shots were not retouched in any way) and I think they look great. For someone who has never done amateur photography before, I am very lucky that my career was in television working with cameras and lenses that cost many $100k each as it just seemed to fall into my hands and feel natural...I'm kinda proud of these photos for my third day with the camera. I'l share more details later why I chose that camera over the D7000 as it was back and forth. But for now I hope you enjoy these shots. I can't wait to get the camera on my scope since Saturn is now visible. Happy Holidays to you and Laurraine and your whole family. I sincerely thank you for your help this year in helping me have so much fun with my telescope; you've brought joy to my life helping to restore my kid-like wonder of the night sky. Peace, Kenny Here is the link to the gallery: Check out 'Sunrise on Pensacola Beach' at http://gallery.me.com/kdubuisson/100164 Kenny Dubuisson, Jr.

Subject: ETX 125EC piggybacking my Canon D400 on Orion Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 10:42:57 From: Lee R (divine-assassin-kai@hotmail.co.uk) It's been a long time since my last email to you when I sent you a picture of the moon using a Nokia 6230i mobile phone here>> http://www.weasner.com/etx/astrophotography/cellphones.html I must firstly thank you for all the information on your site about the mechanical workings of the ETX. I have only fixed the RA and balanced the gearing inside to make it track smoothly so far (I need some courage to remove the tube for the DEC :-O ). I only have 1' of slop in the DEC and with the model of ETX 125EC that I have the last before the PE versions, it looks like Meade went to town as it has been fitted quality sealed bearings etc, so with myself adding a steel washer underneath the DEC scale disk it tightens perfectly with no slipping. Anyhow the telescope has excelled in piggybacking my Canon D400 (or XTi Rebel 'AKA' in the USA) and I wish to share these two images I recently took in the past week from the date of this email. The first imageis of Orion's belt which was a 10 minute single exposure @ F5.6, ISO 800 & focal length 145mm, which I cleaned it up in Photoshop getting rid of the redness etc you can see the result I got :-D. The second image is of M42 Orion's Nebula a 5 minute single exposure @ F5.6, ISO 800 & focal length 300mm, again cleaned up in the same manner in Photoshop :-D I'm no expert in Photoshop skills nor astrophotgraphy, I just learn as I go and as we all know it's trial and error. I guess the main thing is now I can share what I see with people and that makes me one happy chappy :-D Wishing you clear skies as always from Lee. R... Devon UK....

Subject: Canon EOS XTi photography with ETX 125 Premier. Sent: Sunday, October 3, 2010 11:58:27 From: David Brickner (dbrickner3@woh.rr.com) Hi..........first of all you have a great site. I am wondering what accessories I can use to do eyepiece projection with my Canon thru the back of my ETX. I bought a #64 T adapter, the backcell adapter (07036), the T ring, and a Meade eyepiece holder # 07182 and thought it would work. The meade eyepiece is too big when I screw on the T adapter collar to the eyepiece holder. Is there some other arrangement I need? Been searching the net. Thanks Dave Brickner Benn scopin it since 1960!!!

Thanks for the reply. I have done some prime focus withe the ETX. I was just wondering what WOULD work. If I could get exact measurements on some of the accessories I would know if it was possible to do eyepiece projection from the back. Maybe the 7352 adapter? Thanks.

Subject: Canon Digital Rebel Xti and the ETX 80 TC set up for astrophotography Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 13:15:26 From: Power Chick (powerchick2008@hotmail.com) I have a Canon Digital Rebel Xti camera, and the Meade ETX 80 TC telescope. I want to try astrophotography. I have the adapter to connect the camera, and have connected it. That is as far as I have gotten - I am not a professional photographer or astromomer, just passionate about both... Can you recommend a good beginner book / manual for me that provides step by step setup? By the way - incredible website! Thanks! Michele

Subject: Rebel XTi Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 14:53:29 From: dj.sutherland@sympatico.ca Hi there - I am an amateur astronomer and am ready to try astrophotography. You seem to have some good tips and advice for us novices. I just got a Rebel XTi for my birthday - seems like a great camera and I have heard good things. I purchased a FotoSharp focusing adapter from the telescope store to attach to my camera (T ring fitting screws on to the body and it supposed to give you the green light, so to speak, when you are in focus). These adapters are great and work with the XT no problem but I am having trouble getting it to work on my XTi. The guys at the shop are also baffled. It works at some focal points but not others. Any ideas? What could be different about this model? Is there some adjustment or setting that can override this? Any ideas or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Denise Sutherland