dslr camera lens jargon image
physicsdud
I'm looking to get into astrophotography and would like a DSLR camera that is good for both planetary and deep sky imaging. I found a Nikon D40 that i can afford and wanted to know how well it would work.
Here is the camera:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-Kit-Case-4GB-USA_W0QQitemZ200379722968QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item2ea78fecd8&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14#ht_14233wt_1165
If this not a good camera i would appreciate any other suggestions for DSLR cameras.
Answer
Not too bad for entry level astrophotography. I don't think it's a good choice for deep space objects however. 6 mega-pixel is rather low, although its sensitivity isn't too bad. The main problem with your choice is limited lens selection and Nikons are a bit 'noisy' for long exposures. This camera is fine for the moon and planetary work, but I would think it a fair or poor selection for deep space.
Regardless of what you choose to go with, here are a few things that will be of use to you.
1. Cable release. For remote operation where you don't have to touch the camera to take a picture. Many of the rigs used for eyepiece projection photography are a little sensitive and shake for a few seconds under manual operation, sometimes requiring "self portrait mode".
2. AC power adapters. Batteries, even expensive lithium-ion, don't last real long. Again they are to be avoided as a primary power source for deep space, long time exposures. Not to mention they generate some heat which can cause some problems as well. You will find yourself taking pictures between delays, waiting for a cloud to pass etc. As a result you'll likely disable the "Auto-off" function. This requires AC power for a whole night shoot, as batteries may only last a few hours at best.
3. Large memory card. You don't want to have to remove cards often once everything is setup. In general you will want to avoid any manual handling of the camera once everything is set up.
4. How easy is it to navigate through all of the cameras menus and options? Again, you will be out in the dark, not a good time to fumble through menus. Some of the cameras have a wheel on the back that changes modes and functions. These are a little more user friendly.
5. Camera weight. If you are using a small 4 inch telescope, a 1.5 lb fully loaded camera can cause some weight balance problems. An 8 inch or larger telescope really eliminates that problem.
If you are new to astrophotography my best recommendation is to buy "Introduction to Astrophotography", by Robert Reeves. He has many years of experience and cuts through technical jargon very well. You will find no better written source of information.
p.s. I assume you are using a GOTO/Guided telescope? Long exposure photography is useless without a guided telescope. You can do short exposure planetary work without a guided telescope, but it isn't possible for deep space objects.
Not too bad for entry level astrophotography. I don't think it's a good choice for deep space objects however. 6 mega-pixel is rather low, although its sensitivity isn't too bad. The main problem with your choice is limited lens selection and Nikons are a bit 'noisy' for long exposures. This camera is fine for the moon and planetary work, but I would think it a fair or poor selection for deep space.
Regardless of what you choose to go with, here are a few things that will be of use to you.
1. Cable release. For remote operation where you don't have to touch the camera to take a picture. Many of the rigs used for eyepiece projection photography are a little sensitive and shake for a few seconds under manual operation, sometimes requiring "self portrait mode".
2. AC power adapters. Batteries, even expensive lithium-ion, don't last real long. Again they are to be avoided as a primary power source for deep space, long time exposures. Not to mention they generate some heat which can cause some problems as well. You will find yourself taking pictures between delays, waiting for a cloud to pass etc. As a result you'll likely disable the "Auto-off" function. This requires AC power for a whole night shoot, as batteries may only last a few hours at best.
3. Large memory card. You don't want to have to remove cards often once everything is setup. In general you will want to avoid any manual handling of the camera once everything is set up.
4. How easy is it to navigate through all of the cameras menus and options? Again, you will be out in the dark, not a good time to fumble through menus. Some of the cameras have a wheel on the back that changes modes and functions. These are a little more user friendly.
5. Camera weight. If you are using a small 4 inch telescope, a 1.5 lb fully loaded camera can cause some weight balance problems. An 8 inch or larger telescope really eliminates that problem.
If you are new to astrophotography my best recommendation is to buy "Introduction to Astrophotography", by Robert Reeves. He has many years of experience and cuts through technical jargon very well. You will find no better written source of information.
p.s. I assume you are using a GOTO/Guided telescope? Long exposure photography is useless without a guided telescope. You can do short exposure planetary work without a guided telescope, but it isn't possible for deep space objects.
Who has a Nikon D40?
katwoman_2
I'm interested in buying a Nikon D40, which would be my first DSLR. Is there anyone who has bought a D40 who can give me the inside scoop on the pros and cons? I've looked at some online reviews but they're full of technical jargon that I don't really understand (yet). Thanks!!
Answer
Hi,
Im lecturer in Visual Communication, in my college v r using Nikon D40 camera to teach photography for our students, it can b used by both professional use and domestic use...
Pros
Excellent image quality, great resolution and detail, Eight megapixels ll b more useful to take crystal clear snaps.
Very compact and lightweight (especially with kit lens) yet still comfortable to use.
Kit lens is better quality than many others
Great in-use performance, very responsive, short black-out time, very fast media write
Manual and autofocus are available.
Auto-focus assist lamp rather than requiring flash to be raised.
Reliable, sophisticated, if sometimes a little conservative matrix metering system.
For a Pentamirror the viewfinder delivers a surprisingly bright image (Viewfinder is nothing bt where u see the images to take shots).
Extremely useful, customizable automatic sensitivity (ISO).
Easy to use playback / delete combination.
All playback functions available in record review
Very attractive and intuitive menu system(For settings and othr stuffs).
Unlimited continuous shooting in JPEG mode.
Good SD card throughput and USB 2.0 transfer speed (SD Card is kind of storage device to store ur pictures in the camera like floppy and CD, after u took pics u can remove and transfer the images to comp).
In-camera retouching features including D-Lighting and Red-eye reduction.
Support for SD and SDHC cards.
Good large LCD monitor with wide viewing angles.
Dedicated help button provides both shooting and in-menu assistance.
Programmable Fn(Function) hard button.
Value for money.
I dun find any cons in these camera for domestic use...
Hi,
Im lecturer in Visual Communication, in my college v r using Nikon D40 camera to teach photography for our students, it can b used by both professional use and domestic use...
Pros
Excellent image quality, great resolution and detail, Eight megapixels ll b more useful to take crystal clear snaps.
Very compact and lightweight (especially with kit lens) yet still comfortable to use.
Kit lens is better quality than many others
Great in-use performance, very responsive, short black-out time, very fast media write
Manual and autofocus are available.
Auto-focus assist lamp rather than requiring flash to be raised.
Reliable, sophisticated, if sometimes a little conservative matrix metering system.
For a Pentamirror the viewfinder delivers a surprisingly bright image (Viewfinder is nothing bt where u see the images to take shots).
Extremely useful, customizable automatic sensitivity (ISO).
Easy to use playback / delete combination.
All playback functions available in record review
Very attractive and intuitive menu system(For settings and othr stuffs).
Unlimited continuous shooting in JPEG mode.
Good SD card throughput and USB 2.0 transfer speed (SD Card is kind of storage device to store ur pictures in the camera like floppy and CD, after u took pics u can remove and transfer the images to comp).
In-camera retouching features including D-Lighting and Red-eye reduction.
Support for SD and SDHC cards.
Good large LCD monitor with wide viewing angles.
Dedicated help button provides both shooting and in-menu assistance.
Programmable Fn(Function) hard button.
Value for money.
I dun find any cons in these camera for domestic use...
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