Re: [APML] Request for ideas

["Bert Katzung" <katzung1@comcast.net>]

Hi Robert:
I have been using the Canon 10D for terrestrial imaging and it (and the
Canon image-stabilized lenses) are fantastic! The other Canon with the same
6.3 Mpixel chip is the 300D ("Digital Rebel"). The D100 that you mentioned
is the Nikon digital version of their very good film F100 camera, but the
digital version isn't up to Canon's low noise standards.
My suggestion: get a Canon 10D body and the Novoflex Nik/EOS adapter, which
allows you to use Nikon lenses on Canon EOS bodies. I didn't think
cross-over was possible, but according to Stephen Pitt, who has posted on
this group in the past, it works fine. I assume it requires all manual
controls of the lens focus and f stop, but Don would probably want to do
that anyway. The alternative is to go with the Nikon D100 body and figure
out how to squelch the noise ;-)).
Hope this helps....
Bert

Bert Katzung
katzung1@comcast.net
www.astronomy-images.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Reeves" <reeves10@swbell.net>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2004 8:51 PM
Subject: [APML] Request for ideas


> Here we go again.... more astrophotography from the space station.  And I
> need
> help from you folks with it.
>
> My high-flying astrophotography friend, astronaut Don Pettit, has been
> assigned
> to a flight crew again and expects to fly back to the ISS in about two
> years.
>
> Don achieved some good results last time he was up there, but wants to
> improve
> on it next time up.  Right now, the ISS crew is limited to Hassleblad and
> Nikon cameras.
> They have both film Nikon F5s and the Nikon F5 with the Kodak 760 digital
> chip.  That
> digital Nikon is limited to 30 second expsosures and is quite noisy at
that
> exposure.  Don
> has asked me for advice on what to take up next time to improve his
results.
>
> I sugested taking up a Canon D10 or whatever the latest incarnation of
that
> series is
> at the time because they can take lengthy, fairly noise-free images.
> However, Don advises
> me that whatever he uses must be Nikon lens compatible.  He is planing on
> taking a
> camera body only in his personal gear and it must work with the basket of
> Nikon lenses
> already aboard the ISS.  He can also carry some other small astrophoto
> related devices
> in his luggage, but they must be small.
>
> I am suggesting he take the mother of all collapsable lens shades to kill
> the reflections
> off the inside of the station windows (the inside of the station is never
> fully dark at any
> time).  This device would be big enough to shield the entire window.
>
> I am also sugesting they take MegaStar on one of the laptops so he can
plan
> his
> astrophotography around the look angles available out the windows.
>
> However, I am totally in the dark as to the latest generations of Nikon
> digital equipment
> and don't. know what to advise Don in regards to a camera body.  At the
risk
> of setting
> APML on full tilt by mentioning the word "digital", I am asking APML as a
> collective pool
> of knowledge to help me out here.  All I hear about in regard to serious
> long exposure
> astrophotography with digital camera is the Canon D10 and D100.  Is there
a
> version of
> Nikon equipment that will also work well for this?
>
> If anyone wishes to advise me, you can do it off list.  I appreciate any
> guidance.
>
> Robert Reeves                +29.484   98.440
> reeves10@swbell.net      San Antonio, Texas  USA
>
>
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