Astronomy and DSLR Astrophotography Blog

#2 Professional DSLR Camera

Nikon D300s 12MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens

The Nikon D300S is the updated version of the D300 which basically set the bar pretty high, and that standard is still relevant today. There were very few changes made to this updated version and just adds to the high quality already in place. The overall feel of the camera is outstanding, the controls are placed in a comfortable position and overall construction is of the quality you would expect from Nikon. They have mastered the art of ergonomic design when it comes to cameras.

What you have in the D300S camera is really more of a semi-professional camera. It is a higher class than most DSLRs but functions on par with the full-frame CMOS sensor cameras the professionals generally use. Most pros would find this camera more than appropriate for their use and the more capable amateur will be thrilled with the high level of features and the overall performance. Combine the design, ease of use, and add modern technology and you have a mighty fine camera.

Nikon D300S Camera Features

12.3- megapixels: This is a lower number than normally seen for a professional level cameras, but it is a high quality count for a DSLR. It is deceiving as the exceptionally sharp picture quality matches what if often found with the higher level pixel count found in professional cameras

DX-format full screen CMOS sensor: The CMOS sensor technology allows for a perfect blend of pixel numbers and light sensor capabilities by the angles the light ray hit each pixel. It includes an Integrated Dust Reduction system that uses ultrasonic vibrations will keep the sensor clean.

Nikon EXPEED processor: This will give high quality processing speed and accurate images, keeping the noise levels low. It has the capability of shooting 7 frames per second. The battery charge will last through 950 shots.

3 inch LCD Screen: This monitor with a protective tempered glass covering, has a 921,000 dot VGA screen that is very easy to read and easy to use. It has the added feature of seven levels of brightness to make it easy to read in all degrees of indoor and outdoor light.

Auto Focus System: This camera has a highly effective new contrast detection auto focus system. It uses 51 auto focus points, which is higher than normal for this style camera. The auto focus system is easy to use and will give photos that are especially clear and sharp. In addition, there is a 3D color matrix metering system with 1,005 pixels that has the capability to evaluate color information as part pf the automatic choosing of exposure settings. You will find that its standard ISO sensitivity will range from 200- 3,200 and it has an expanded sensitivity of 100 to 6400 available.

Video Recording: One of the additions to this model, that is not found in the D300 is video recording. The Nikon D300S can record video at 24 frames per second on it s720p HD video. The combination of still and video recording capabilities is becoming an important tool in professional photograph today, much to the dismay of many purists. This includes a n integrated microphone that unfortunately is place too close to the auto focus motor sound. One of the few flaws in the design. Using the external microphone input capability will take care of that problem.

Duel Memory Cards: One particularly helpful new feature for this D300s camera is the dual memory card slots. This lets you use both a compact flash and a secure digital card. You can use these in a variety of ways. Use one to store the overflow from the other. You might also record JPEG to one card and RAW to the other. Another option is to put still shots on one card and video on the other.

Summary:

Having a DSLR camera that functions at the superior performance levels associated with professional class cameras is a nice affordable option. The Nikon D300S is just that camera. It is far above the other cameras in the DSLR class and the features meet the needs of the pros. It keeps the high standards set in the original S300 while adding a video element and other minor changes. Any professional or experienced amateur would be well served by this semi-professional camera.

astrophotography, best professional dslr cameras, equipment Nikon D300S Camera Review

#1 Professional DSLR Camera

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the most recent update the the highly popular and well regarded Canon EOS 5D. This is a camera whose extensive electronic attributes are designed to meet the needs of professional photographers and photojournalists, yet at the same time a skilled amateur photographer could also learn to use this model if and when they are ready to upgrade from a DSLR entry level camera. Although much heavier than the point and shoot digital camera, the Canon Eos 5D Mark II at two pounds is considered light weight for its class. The same can be said for the price, it will be a significant jump in cost from the entry level DSLR camera, but in its class, and taking into consideration all the features that are included, it should be considered a bargain.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Features

21.1 Megapixel Resolution: It is important to keep your pixel count at a level that matches the other capabilities your camera can produce. There is no need for a massive pixel count without the proper supporting devices that work with it. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is able to take full advantage of each one of the 21.1 megapixels Full Frame CMOS Sensor: The original Canon 5D was credited with being the first large, single plate full frame (36mmx24mm) CMOS sensor on a digital camera and the EOS 5D Mark II has continued to utilize these benefits. This works in tandem with the pixels, and functions similarly to the ways light will hit 35mm film (the same dimensions.) The light will hit the pixels at the same angle it used to hit the film, a perfect blend of pixel number and light sensor capabilities.

DIGIC 4 Image Processor: This is often referred to as the digital command center of a camera since it is where all the light data received can be speedily processed to create a clear, image with amazing photographic detail, with high quality color, face detection and video recording. Full

HD Video Recording: This EOS 5D MarkII camera is the first model that Canon has made that incorporates video recording into its large sensor, speedy processing and fast 30 frames a second shooting capabilities. Individual still shots can be taken while the film video is recording. Optional mono or stereo microphones can be connected to add an audio element.

Clear View LCD Screen: A 3.0 inch LCD screen, with 920,000/VGA resolution gives top quality viewing. It will adjust its brightness to the surrounding light condition. Other viewing functions include a Live View, where real time viewing can be used, including zooming, and a Face Detection Live setting.

Advanced Cleaning System: There is a low-pass filter found at the front of the CMOS sensor that with ultrasonic vibrations can shake off micro-dust particles. This system was designed specifically for the CMOS full-frame sensor. If any particles were to sneak past this, the accompanying Digital Photo Professional software can be calibrated to delete any dust spots.

ISO Speed and Exposure Controls: There are both manual and automatic speed adjustments, with manual options ranging from 100 – 6400 and automatic options with a range of 100 – 3200. Shooting in near darkness is possible with sensitivity up to 25,6000. The Canon EOS 5D MarkII has a variety of exposure controls like Program AE, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, and creative auto. Other settings include a more choices than found in the entry level DSLR cameras. In addition to the auto, custom, flash, daylight, shade and cloudy settings, there are also options for tungsten light, white fluorescent light, color temperature settings and automatic white balance.

Summary:

This model update was over three years in the making, which in electronic time seems like forever. Because of this, the modifications and improvements to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II go well beyond minor adjustments and give the consumer innovative and impressive features like massive light sensors, super fast processing, HD videos and a superior quality LCD screen. There is no question that this is a camera designed for the professional, and will serve them well for years to come. Amateurs who want to take their photography capabilities up to a higher level, and can afford the cost, will also benefit from this outstanding camera.

astrophotography, best professional dslr cameras, equipment Canon EOS 5D Mark II

For your new found passion for astrophotography, you will need to buy the right DSLR camera for YOU. Here are a few things you need to look for when deciding on your purchase.
Features: It is really important for your camera to have a high megapixel resolution with a image stabilizer wither built in the body of the camera or in the lens kit. Look for something light-weight, easy to use and especially important is a long battery life.
You want features that make it easy to point and shoot and take great pictures right out of the gate. Even beginner cameras have more difficult to use features such as max shutter speed, but this gives you the room to grow into your camera as you are developing your astrophotography skills.
Ease Of Use: If you are a first time DSLR camera user, with all the buttons and the manual settings available, it sometimes can be overwhelming. The great thing though, is there are still automatic settings that allow you to do a more point ant shoot method while you are getting your feet wet with your new camera.
Value: A decision on a DSLR camera can be made when you weight the costs with the actual functionality of the camera.
We have put together a list of the top ten best DSLR cameras and why each of them is the best in their own unique way.

astrophotography

Dark nebula is a nebula in the galaxy which absorbs the light from the background. There are two types of them in general – one can be seen because they block the light of the emission nebulas in the background. One of the most spectalular of them is Horsehead nebula in Orion. The others block the light which comes from the stars behind them and those are best seen where the density of the stars is the highest – in the Milky Way. Dark nebulas consist of cold materia in the space, which is not hot enough to transmit the light.

In the night from 23th to 24th August I have gone to Bohor to take some photos of Elephant’s trunk, but I had to end taking photos about at midnight because the object passed the meridian and I couldn’t track it anymore. I had to make quick decision which object to capture the rest of the night and I choose the dark nebulas B334, 336-7 in Aquila, near Altair. I had no internet and I hadn’t a clue how this nebula looks like. Some of dark nebulas are really breath-taking and impressive (who doesn’t know Horsehead). Well, mine isn’t so spectacular, but I am pretty satisfied with the result. The next day I have checked the google image search for this nebula and found nothing, which means that I am one of the first who decided to “burn” his CMOS sensor on this object for some hours After all, that counts as well …

Here you go:

Dark Nebulas B334, B336, B337 @ photo: Primož Cigler

Some technical data about the exposure, equipment and so on:

Object: B334
Date and Location: 23. 8. 2009, Oslica, Bohor
Exposition: 26 x 5min
Camera: Canon 350D, Baader mod., ISO 800, RAW
Optics: Orion Optics Europa 20cm f/4.5
Mount: Vixen GP-DX SS2K
Autoguiding: SW 80/400 with QHY5
Processed in: Iris, Ps

astrophotography astrophotography, camera, canon, constellation, dark nebula, deep-sky, galaxy, milky way, nebula, stars

In the nights from 20th to 21st and 21st to 22nd August I have been capturing the Great Galaxy in Andromeda. I used my 8″ f/4.5 Newton which means 900mm of focal length and too small FOV to get the entire galaxy into one frame so I decided to make a mosaic. I spend the first night for the right part and second for the left part of the image. I combined them in Photoshop. All other data about image are:

Object: M31 and M32 (Andromeda Galaxy)
Date and Location: 20. and 21. 8. 2009, Mali Orehek, Slovenia
Exposition: 2×1 mosaic: 30 x 5min and 36 x 5min
Camera: Canon 350D, Baader mod., ISO 800, RAW
Optics: Orion Optics Europa 20cm f/4.5
Mount: Vixen GP-DX SS2K
Autoguiding: SW 80/400 with QHY5
Processed in: Iris, Ps

M31 and M32 @ photo: Primož Cigler

I hope you like it, I am very satisfied with the result. More is coming soon…

astrophotography astrophotography, constellation, deep-sky, galaxy, images, messier, stars

The last week I am very active, especially at night. From Thursday I already had 5 all-nighters, capturing M 31, B 334, IC 1396, NGC 7293, … and of course, the Meteors. I figured out that my backyard is just too light polluted, so now I am going capturing to the hill near me, Bohor. In the night from 24th to 25th August I made a timeplase of the night sky with me in the foreground, capturing DSOs. Unfortunately I have caught a meteor sporadic -5 magitude. The picture is so awsome, that I must share with you.

Bolid -5 mag. above me, capturing the night sky

And here is the timelapse of the entire night. I have tagged the meteor:

I admit, I am lazy and that’s why I don’t finish up my Astrophotography Tutorial. I hope that I will find more inspiration, time and will to finish it up in September, because in October I start studying Physics at Ljubljana…

The images of the objects I listed above will be published here soon. As soons as I process them

CS!

astrophotography, personal astronomy, astrophotography, images, landscape, meteors, stars

I think it’s not right always showing just the best works you produce. Sometimes it’s also good to represent worse pictures to show the world you also have troubles with everything and to encourage those who are not so good at astrophotography yet. I had a disaster last Thursday, capturing the Rho Ophiuchi region.

Last week we had some clear skies out here and on Thursday I decided to go to the near hill named Bohor to caputre the Rho Ophiuchi region, which is a large cloud of colorful nebulas, a part of Milky Way. June is the only month when this region is accessible to photograph from our latitude because it comes the highest on the night sky – about 20 degrees. Se we had clear skies, warm weather, no moon – perfect astrophotography conditions. I packed my mount Vixen GP-DX with SkySensor 2000 PC to the case with all the accessories and went to the Bohor to take some shots. I arrived there 2 hours before the astronomic night, prepared everything, aligned the mount, focused my modified Canon 350D with Canon 70-200 f/4.0 IS L lens and waited for the night. I started shooting at 23.45 LT. After first two shots I saw that everything works OK and went into the car, watching a movie for two hours. When  the film finished I was planning to take some darks and then to go home but when I checked the destination folder for images on my laptop I immediately noticed that something had gone wrong – THERE WERE JUST 6 PICTURES!!! OMG, I was awake till 4 a. m., getting just 6 frames. There was noting else to do, I had about half and hour till the dawn so I packed up the mount and everything and went home.

Nevertheless, on Sunday I decided give it a try and I processed the image. Honestly, I suspected to be worse, but it’s far from that I was planning to do. So here you have, Rho Ophiuchi nebula, not so perfect:

Rho Ophiuchi region @ 6 x 5min, ISO 800, RAW. Author: Primož Cigler

I hope that next time I will show something more attractive. And which are yours most common troubles you are dealing with?

Thanks for reading!

astrophotography, personal astrophotography, canon, deep-sky, images, milky way, nebula, stars

Yesterday evening it was clear outside and the Moon was rising at about 1.30 so I had 2 hours of total dark and this is enough for testing the new autoguiding camera QHY5. The target was M51, the second time. While I was deciding what to capture I realized that I will have to move to better location since from my backyard the southern sky is totally useless because of road lamps.

I managed to make a new cable for QHY5 so now it works with SkySensor autoguiding port. With that I decreased the number of cables from laptop to my mount from 5 to 3. Now I need only USB connection between PC and Camera, Bulb shutter release cable and USB connection with QHY5, which is great. I am planning to buy a new CCD for astrophotography so after that I will need only 2 cables. No more mess around the scope, finally!

So, I have just processed the image, the result is shown below:

Spiral Galaxy M51 @ 26 x 5min, ISO 800, RAW

I have also taken a shot of my equipment, at the “working” state

My Astrophotography Equipment

astrophotography, equipment astrophotography, autoguiding, camera, deep-sky, equipment, galaxy, images, mount, telescope

I haven’t been writing here for a while. Currently I am studying for my exams … but just one month left. Then I will continue with astrophotography tutorial. Nevertheless, I managed to take photography of galaxy M86 and neighbours last weekend. The picture was caputred with my standard setup: Orion Optics 8″ f/4.5, modded Canon 350D with IDAS LPS P2 filter at ISO 800, RAW on Vixen GP-DX mount. The photography is composition of 30 images, each of 5min. I was capturing from the backyard in front of a house where is a lot of light pollution.

M86 with neighbours

I am very satisfied with the result because I have spent some nights outside recently without any useful pictures, because autoguiding wasnt’ working properly. I had to change some settings and now works again.

astrophotography astrophotography, deep-sky, galaxy, idas, images, messier, stars

I haven’t been writing for a while now because I had so much stuff to do. This year I am finishing my secondary school and I am already preparing for the exams. Nevertheless, I haven’t been so passive at astrophotography. I have to admin that drive for my mount was damaged since summer and I hadn’t been capturing astrophotos for a half of the year. A friend of mine repaired it last month so I ordered some other cool stuff to upgrade it: I changed the holder of secondary mirror (spider) and mounted new rings for guidescope.

Yesterday I calibrated system again and did this shot of NGC2403 galaxy in Camelopardalis:

Galaxy NGC2403, taken with Orion Optics Europe f/4.5 on Vixen GP-DX SS2K @ Photo Credits: Primož Cigler

It’s composition of 26 exposures, each of 5min on ISO800 with Baader modified Canon 350D and IDAS LPS P2 filter. The mount was Vixen GP-DX with SkySensor 2000PC and the telescope Orion Optics Europe 8″ f/4.5. I processed image with Iris, Photoshop and Lightroom. It’s not my the best image of this object, but I am satisfied with a result because it’s a proof that everything is OK with the mount.

My Astrophotography tutorial will be continued as soon as I find more time.

Clear Skies!

astrophotography, personal astrophotography, deep-sky, galaxy, images, mount, telescope