Upgrading Astrophotography Camera

Dave,

I concur with you. Because we are at a low altitude our seeing in Ireland in real time is between 2 to 4 secs and thats on reasonable seeing conditions. Of course there will be exceptions. I know this because I have a DIMM programme for testing seeing conditions with a 300mm f2.8 lens and a camera that has 7.4 micron square pixels. It's impossible to achieve 1 sec res. unless you are snapping frequently. Of course this is a different matter when using dynamic motion, one can obtain sub arc sec accuracy, but then you have to process it.

Eamonn A

Anthony once again congratulations on your 300D Star Clusters and Dark Nebulae photograph on page 124 of the same issue.

Hi Deirdre,

A big thanks! Your comment about the photo is most appropriate given our discussion here about (widefield) FOV and imaging.

I am quite honored to have a full page photo in the gallery section of S&T and which no words can describe. The "only" way to superceed that would be with a cover photo for the same magazine and I hope to do some magic when the AP1200GTO arrives (I have confirmed that I will be notified very shortly when they start the notification process).

Anthony.

PS. Check out the gallery section again for the Jan/2006 when it arrives.

Image size Canon 300D: 22.7 x 15.1mm
Image size Canon 350D: 22.2 x 14.8mm

So the 350D sensor is smaller....but I do a lot of widefield stuff, since it has a slightly better resolution, I wonder if it will make any overall difference?

P.S. Anthony, Very well done on your shot in S&T!!!!!!!
Keith.

Keith - I'd be surprised if an increase in resolution for the 350D would be noticeable. For widefield images, I'd say that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Exposure length, image reduction (darks & flats) and processing skills (eg gradient removal) would be more significant in producing a good image than the difference in resolution between the 300 and 350...

Dave

Image size Canon 300D: 22.7 x 15.1mm
Image size Canon 350D: 22.2 x 14.8mm

So the 350D sensor is smaller....but I do a lot of widefield stuff, since it has a slightly better resolution, I wonder if it will make any overall difference?

Keith,

ONLY if you have the (better) seeing to support and justify the smaller pixel. Otherwise, it is a "bonus" which is never exploited to its fullest (if at all).

P.S. Anthony, Very well done on your shot in S&T!!!!!!!

Thank you!

Anthony.

Exposure length, image reduction (darks & flats) and processing skills (eg gradient removal) would be more significant in producing a good image than the difference in resolution between the 300 and 350.

Dave, you hit the nail square on the head with your summary above! Very wise and accurate words.

Anthony.