Canon body preference for only astro use

hi guys
not wanting to do filter mods on my good 5D3, what preference do others have for a body that
can be full spectrum modded ? I see some using the EOS 450D or the 500D

Am getting the impression that a 450D or 500D would only be had on the second hand market ( would prefer new )

requirements
1) can use my existing EF 70 - 200mm IS II and EF 100 - 400mm L IS mounts
2) has live view and preferably with x5 and x10 magnify
3) doesn't cost a fortune
Canon EOS 1200D ---- AU$364 new
Canon EOS 100D ----- AU$540 new
Canon EOS 700D ----- AU$598 new
4) main use for foreseeable future would be with lenses, maybe one day T-ring adapted to a scope

all 3 are APS-C sensors and say they are EF and EF-S lens compatible so my above lenses I assume should be OK
all 3 are in my price range for a camera to be modded for astro only use


does anyone have any thing that they really don't like about any of those 3 ?
like too noisy at ~ 1000 - 3000 ISO don't really expect to need to use higher

any other thoughts ?

regards
Dave

Are you sure that you want it full spectrum modded and not have extended red sensitivity ? A full spectrum mod will require at least a UV/IR filter and that would most likely be a clip-in so that you can use it with multiple lenses. You can use the clip-in on any of the APS-C bodies you mention but can't use it with a Canon EF-S lens. If you have an astro mod (eg Baader BCF) then you don't need any extra filter and can use any lens but you get Ha.

Any of the bodies you mention will work with those lenses and all have live-view. There's something about the 1200D that makes it less popular for astro use than the 1100D but I can't remember what it is. I have a 100D and it's noisier than my 70D but not as noisy as my 40D. The weight difference is good for things like a skytracker and it doesn't take much space in the camera bag as a second body.
If you are going to use the camera on its own (not PC controlled), the articulated screen of the 700D is a huge advantage for your comfort levels. Since it also has the best noise performance of the cameras listed, I think the 700D wins unless you have a need to reduce weight (eg. to use on a Skytracker).

Steve.

SteveInNZ wrote in post #17753577
Are you sure that you want it full spectrum modded and not have extended red sensitivity ? A full spectrum mod will require at least a UV/IR filter and that would most likely be a clip-in so that you can use it with multiple lenses. You can use the clip-in on any of the APS-C bodies you mention but can't use it with a Canon EF-S lens. If you have an astro mod (eg Baader BCF) then you don't need any extra filter and can use any lens but you get Ha.

Hi Steve,
Thankyou for responding
A full spectrum mod, as I understand it, is the removal if ALL filters in front of the sensor, as per this info from a guy that does them commercially .....
http://www.cloudynight​s.com …2-knowing-dslr-mod-types/

and after that, if you want, you could add Ha enhancing filter etc and maybe I will look into that

that's good info
I have no hassles with spending AU$600 on a 700D body and modding it. Am a hi tech GPS electronics tech for my day job
Its still substantially cheaper than a decent CCD Astro imaging camera, that I wouldn't be able to use with my lenses

The weight isn't a real issue till I get to do prime focus imaging via a my scope, and being 300 grams lighter than my 5D3 is a bonus for that
for my current mount, my Sky watcher HEQ5 PRO can take up to 13.5kg
http://www.bintel.com.​au …Mount/96/produc​tview.aspx

Didn't realise it had an articulated screen till you mentioned it ... hadn't delved that deep into the features as of yet
That is a great bonus ! ... I get a real sore neck trying to see the downwards facing screen on the 5D3 haha


Your input have been valuable, Steve, really appreciated
I see a 700D in my near future

Regards
Dave

If you're happy dabbling around inside widgets, doing a mod isn't that hard. There's info for most cameras on the net somewhere for when you can't find that one elusive screw.
I did the filter mod on my 40D and I'm going through the same thought process at the moment of what to mod and which mod to do.

The downside of a full spectrum mod is that you need a filter to block the UV and IR with refractive optics (lenses) or you get bloated stars because the IR isn't in focus in the same place as visible light. That's not an issue for Newts or SCT's.
So with a full spectrum mod you'll either want a front filter for each lens or a clip-in. If you are using it in town you can use a CLS-CCD clip-in which gives you UV/IR blocking as well as light pollution reduction. Assuming a clip-in and a Baader BCF are about the same cost, I prefer the BCF solution unless you want to do IR imaging or spectroscopy.

The advantage of the 100D's weight is if you are going to use a tracker rather than a grown-up mount. A few hundred grams saved on the body gives you weight budget for more aperture. We always want more aperture.

Steve.

SteveInNZ wrote in post #17754080
.......... The downside of a full spectrum mod is that you need a filter to block the UV and IR with refractive optics (lenses) or you get bloated stars because the IR isn't in focus in the same place as visible light. That's not an issue for Newts or SCT's.
So with a full spectrum mod you'll either want a front filter for each lens or a clip-in. If you are using it in town you can use a CLS-CCD clip-in which gives you UV/IR blocking as well as light pollution reduction. Assuming a clip-in and a Baader BCF are about the same cost, I prefer the BCF solution unless you want to do IR imaging or spectroscopy.
.............

Steve.

Ahhh OK understood , now I see what you were getting at with your earlier comment ... will do some searching on the 700D and what filters they have and if I really need to remove them all .... Will ask that guy on Cloudy Nights forum ... he should know

This well be for dark site imaging only. I live in inner west Sydney ... light pollution is dreadful


Dave

I just recently got done full spectrum mod on a open box new T5i (good deal on Amazon from a reputable camera seller). Gary Honis did the mod. He recommended either the T4i or T5i. (They are both pretty much the same) He mentioned that full spectrum mod does not have any filter. He also removed the anti-aliasing filter. You can also use this mod for IR photography.

For Astro photo I use the CLS CCD clip filter which like Steve mentioned gives you both UV/IR filter and light pollution. Check out Astronomik's website, where they show you the wavelength charts for all their filters. Like you I did not want to mod my 5D3. If you don't have any EF-s lens or not planning to get one than you can use the cls ccd clip filter.

monty87 wrote in post #17764539
I just recently got done full spectrum mod on a open box new T5i (good deal on Amazon from a reputable camera seller). Gary Honis did the mod. He recommended either the T4i or T5i. (They are both pretty much the same) He mentioned that full spectrum mod does not have any filter. He also removed the anti-aliasing filter. You can also use this mod for IR photography.

For Astro photo I use the CLS CCD clip filter which like Steve mentioned gives you both UV/IR filter and light pollution. Check out Astronomik's website, where they show you the wavelength charts for all their filters. Like you I did not want to mod my 5D3. If you don't have any EF-s lens or not planning to get one than you can use the cls ccd clip filter.

Hi Monty87

I ended up buying the 700D a couple of weeks ago and did the filter #2 removal a couple of days ago
Using the info that Gary Honis has on his page.

http://dslrmodificatio​ns.com/rebelmod450d1.h​tml

It all went well, got the cam back together and it still works
just need some clear nites now to try it out on some Ha rich nebulae


Regards
Dave