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Canon EOS 10D Digital
CameraI have used two Canon EOS650 35mm camera bodies with various lenses since
they were first delivered. In 2004 I bought a Canon EOS 10D following good
reviews and a match with my specification
requirements (plus a good price from Digital
First in UK). The EOS 10D also continues the return on the investment on
my existing lenses.
For astronomical use I also invested in a Canon Timer Remote Controller accessory, TC-80N3, from Bristol Cameras, in UK.
The Canon 10D comes with a software suite and cables to provide Remote Capture of images from camera to a PC through USB connection. This provides easy and steady camera control when camera is mounted on the telescope; with the added benefit of immediate review of images.
The Canon 10D is a very different camera from the Canon Poershot G1 digital I had used before - one major difference, of course, is the SLR facility with exchangeable lenses but the significant change is the size of the chip and the electronics controlling it; see size comparison from the Canon website below ...
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CMOS Sensor for
EOS Digital |
This is an impressive camera for astronomical use both on and off the telescope. The phenomenal growth of digital camera market has provided highly sophisticated cameras at a reasonable price for amateurs that were wild dreams a very few years (maybe months) ago.
Canon have a good review at Canon Astrophotography Guide for EOS DIGITAL.
The pictures of the Sun, 2004.08.21 and 2004.09.02 below, were taken through camera with zoom lens at 210mm with and without 2x teleconvertor (camera barlow!) and show the sun cut from the full frame but not resized.
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| Dorridge,
UK 2004.08.21 09:23 UT Canon EOS 10D Canon Zoom EF 70-210mm at 210mm = 336mm 1/50sec @ f8.0 + autofocus Solar White Light Filter PaintShop Pro 8 |
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For those
interested in a |
Dorridge,
UK 2004.09.02 10:21 UT |
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Sun Animation This animation was made from a sequence of daily images of the Sun made whilst I was on holiday in Arizona in September/October 2004 The animation shows the rotation of the sun moving the sunspots across the face of the sun together with the development of the sunspots over time. Images captured
with Canon D10 1/125sec @ f8 (ASA 100) |
Click Image to display the animation |
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SaturnCanon 10D Digital Camera Meade LX200 GPS 10" Dorridge, UK
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Saturn and MoonsImage at same magnification as that of Saturn above Canon 10D Digital Camera Meade LX200 GPS 10" Dorridge, UK
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CometC/2004 Q2 Machholz 45mm lens Piggy-back on Meade LX200 Dorridge, UK
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| and three days later Machholz is past the Pleiades... | |
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CometC/2004 Q2 Machholz 215mm lens Piggy-back on Meade LX200 Dorridge, UK |
| and two further days later... | |
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CometC/2004 Q2 Machholz 136mm lens Piggy-back on Meade LX200 Dorridge, UK
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Note the green coma on the colour images of Machholz. The coma contains cyanogen (CN), a poisonous gas, and diatomic carbon (C2). Both of these substances glow green when illuminated by sunlight. Camera mounted at prime focus on LX200 GPS 10". |
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CometC/2004 Q2 Machholz
30secs f/10 Prime Focus on Meade LX200 GPS 10" f/10 Dorridge, UK
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I decided that a good way to learn my way around the Canon 10D was to try to capture images of the constellations. These images are mostly taken with camera mounted on a tripod and in highly light-polluted suburban areas.
Click on images for full details......
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| Aries | Aquila | Auriga | |
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| Bootes | Canis Major | ||
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| Cassiopeia | Cygnus | Lacertae | |
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| Lyra | |||
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| Orion | Pegasus | Perseus | |
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| Pisces | Sagittarius | Taurus | |
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| Triangulum | |||
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Orion Nebula M42 Canon 10D Digital Camera Meade LX200 GPS 10" Dorridge, UK |
Click
camera icon for Canon
Astrophotography Guide for EOS DIGITAL
A useful guide to the use of the Canon 10D and its application in astrophotography
