Re: [APML] digital cameras for strophotography

["Tim Hart" <Tim.Hart@haworth.com>]

My 2 cents....well...maybe .24 cents...:)

I have a Digital (Canon S20) that can only do 2 SECONDS....what a waste!  A few more seconds would be helpful.  A minute exposure would be really nice....if they can keep the noise out.

More then one ISO mode.  Mine does ISO 100...that's IT!

I'm quite fond of Compact Flash.  MMC and such are pretty good too.  But I have a USB reader for CF and my laptop can read it with a cheap ($15) adapter.

Get the most Mega Pixels you can afford......You won't catch up to film at this point in time.  But crops and other editing will suffer if you don't have the pixels to work with.

Make sure additional lenses and such are available.  Just in case you want wider then the stock lens.

I personally don't like zoom lenses...they cut your F Stop options.  Great for daytime shots....not so great at night.

Manual Override.....no need for a flash for a long exposure.  Most modern cameras have this....doesn't hurt to double check :)

Batteries...I'd go AA and plan on buying 8 or more Nickle metal hydride cells and a charger.  My Digital won't fill a CF card on one set....keep them charged and ready!  Avoid proprietary batteries...they are costly!

I guess that about covers it....

Hope that helps,
Tim

>>> Jose Miguel Benito Huete 10/02/02 09:03PM >>>
Hi everyone,
Now that digital cameras are becoming very popular in astrophotography
for lunar and planetary I am seriously thinking of buying one. So a lot
of questions and doubts come to my mind. Could the gurus of digital
astrophoto give a few useful advices about wich camera (if any) is
better for this purpose? Also, what else do I need to start shooting
astrophotos?
Thanks
Jose Benito


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