Nikon D40x for astrophotography

Im getting a dslr for general use but i want one that would be ok for astrophotography. the nikon d40x has caught my eye. is it suitable for astrophotography? what should i look for in a dslr to be used also for astrophotography?

Im getting a dslr for general use but i want one that would be ok for astrophotography. the nikon d40x has caught my eye. is it suitable for astrophotography? what should i look for in a dslr to be used also for astrophotography?

The D40x is just a regular D40 with a few extra mega pixels. I have a D40 and have had some successes with it. Though I've never used it through a telescope. I've taken all my astro shots free-hand with it. You can see my results here: www.bartbusschots.ie/gallery/index.php?/category/41

Bart.

I can't comment on any models other than the Canon 350D. But I did do quite a bit of research before making my purchase, and I came to the conclusion that it was the best in its price range for Astrophotography, and terrestrial use.

So if I was you I'd stick to the proven track. I'm sure there are others who can comment on the Canon 400D, but you'll pick up a 350D quite cheap now that the 400D has superceeded it, and the extra - smaller pixels in the 400D may not necessarily be an advantage unless you have a world class mount. Though the sensor cleaning system is surely a plus.

Good luck in your purchase.

The Canon 300D/350D/400D has less noise at high ISO compared to the Nikon D40/D40x/D70. Nikon's work best in the ISO200-800 Range, the Canon's can work in ISO100-1600 which would make them more suitable for Astrophotography.
The D40x looks like a great starter DSLR, but be aware, that alot of of lenses for the Nikon mount, do not have focusing motors, as traditionaly, Nikon have the focusing motor as part of the body. With the D40x, there is no focusing motor in the body, so you'll have to buy lenses which have their own focusing motors.
All that said, if you are only ever going to have 2 lenses in your kit bag, it will probably be a good camera.

The other nice thing about Canon is the cropping factor compared to a 35mm film, the Canon is 1.6x and the Nikon is 1.5x, so if you put a 300mm lens on the Canon, it is equivalent to 480mm, it is only 450mm on the Nikon on 35mm film

I am a Canon man........

Darragh

Hi all...Fguihen,

I use a D40x for my Astrophotography...but I am very new at it so...
I think the d40x is pretty good for AP....this is my first shot of the moon taken about 2 weeks ago



Equipment was a Celestron 4.5" Newtonian with 24mm EP
ISO 100 at 1/1000sec @ F4

The image is a little soft but using Adobe etc would prolly clean it up...using registax to stack multiple images would likely sharpen it as well...regardless..this image was un-retouched and my first try at any astro-photography

If you have any questions, i'd be glad to help (T-adaptors needed etc)

my first try at any astro-photography

Cool! Well done - better than my first attempt :oops: