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Re: [APML] OT. Canon vrs Nikon
Hi Glen,
Well, we're all nuts, just in different ways. <G>
I don't think you can really say that these consumer digital cameras are of
the same quality of the high-priced SBIG chips. As usual, you get what
you pay for, and you get out of a camera what expertise and knowledge you
put into it. I'm not knocking them, understand. They are taking some
pretty nice pictures.
Although I have pretty much given up on Nikon, they do have a new camera,
the D2H, that has a new LBCAST sensor (CMOS) that looks like it will give
Canon a run for its money in the digital SLR for astrophotography
race. See: http://www.astropix.com/HTML/TESTS/D2H_A.HTM and
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D2H/D2HA13.HTM. Of course this chip
is currently only in a $3100 camera. Perhaps it will show up in some $1K
cameras by Nikon. Of course, Nikon is really about 2 years (basically one
generation) behind Canon in the digital SLR technology. Nikon just came out
with the D2H, and it pretty much matches the Canon 1D for sports
photography. Of course Canon just discontinued the 1D and they are coming
out with the next generation camera shortly. So who knows how good the new
one will be for astro work.
Using the in-camera noise reduction in the Nikon D2H, there is virtually no
noise at all in long exposures. It works by taking a dark frame at the same
exposure and subtracting it when the file is saved in camera.
Of course the price you pay is a doubling of exposure time. Not a wonderful
idea to be shooting these dark frames under clear skies, it's really a
waste of precious clear-dark-sky shooting time. Perhaps a library of dark
frames at different temperatures could be created and used with the light
frames as the real CCD guys do.
The Nikon chips in all of the digital SLR cameras pre-D2H are all CCD chips
and are very noisy under normal working temps. The Nikon D100 has the old
CCD chip.
Nikon is coming out with a new digital SLR, the D70 to compete with the
Canon Digital Rebel at that $1K price point. I don't know if the D70 will
have the sensor based on the CCD in the D100, or the new one in the D2H. I
would bet it will be the one from the D100 and not the good one from the
D2H. Time will tell.
Jerry
At 10:32 PM 1/22/2004 -0900, you wrote:
>New consumer grade digital cameras in the $1k price bracket are now able
>to compete with film and are "essential" like film cameras. Many stricking
>photos have been published lately of astrophysical objects taken with the
>Canon Rebel and/or Canon D-10. These pictures seem to be of the quality of
>the high priced SBIG chips and they don't require a computer. Only a
>camera. Just like film. No fuss no muss and suitable to discuss on this forum.
>
>Now, after that long introduction, here is my burning question...... Is
>there any data any information comparing the Canon new CMOS chip camera
>with other digital cameras, such as those made by Nikon in the $1k price
>range? I hear "rumors" and strong rumors that the Nikon chip is
>uncompetitive, but I've seen no data or heard of any side by side
>comparison. I've only heard that Nikon chips are "very noisy". I've heard
>that Canon engineers have developed a completely new quasi CMOS chip
>technology that has reduced noise virtually to zero and made
>astrophotography application possible.
>
>My son tells me I'm nuts. He might know, actually, with a fairly new PhD
>in optical engineering.
>
>Do any of you know anything about the Canon vrs the other comercial camera
>grade chips??
>
>regards,
>
>Glenn Shaw
>
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