Modified Canon Digital Rebel XSi (450D)

& Astro-Tech 127mm Triplet

 

Conyngham, PA - Feruary 24, 2009

by Gary Honis

 


Images were taken with a Peltier Cooled Modified Canon Rebel XSi (450D). Camera temperature was maintained at just above 0 degrees Fahrenheit during the imaging session.

Telescope used for imaging was an Astro Tech 127mm ED APO Triplet refractor using a Celestron f/6.3 focal reducer for Schmidt-Cassegrains. The Astro Tech 127 and ED80 refractor guide scope were mounted on an Orion Atlas EQ-G mount. The EQMOD ASCOM driver was used to drive the mount directly via an EQDIR interface module. Image is nearly full frame with some edge cropping for layering of exposures.

 

Equipment used:


Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) Image - 127mm Refractor:

90 two-minute exposures at ISO 1600 were combined using DeepSkyStacker and reduced in size for display (1000X600). Autoguiding was done on the comet nucleus.


Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) Video - High Definition:

90 two-minute exposures that were stacked for the image above were used for this 1280 X 720 HD video. Images were taken over a 4.3 hour period. Windows Movie Maker software was used create the video from individual JPG frames. The video is posted on YouTube at the following link. For the High Definition (HD) version of the video, once the YouTube page opens, click on "watch in HD" at the lower right of the video display window.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwFwBfp79w

 

 


Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) Image - 200mm Camera Lens:

On the same night (2/24/09) that the above images were taken, I used a modified Canon 300D DSLR piggbacked on the 127mm Triplet Refractor to take wiefield images of the comet at the same time. A Sigma Zoom lens was used at 200mm at f /5.6 and 1600 ISO. 69 two-minute exposures were stacked for the image using DeepSky Stacker. Image is Full Frame with slight edge cropping and reduced in size for display.

Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) Video - 200mm Camera Lens:

69 two-minute exposures that were stacked for the image above were used for this 1280 X 720 HD video. Images were taken over a 4 hour period with a 200mm camera lens. VirtualDub software was used create the AVI video from individual JPG frames. The video is posted on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaff_Xb2O6A&fmt=18


Comet Lulin image and video taken on 2/16/09 can be seen HERE.


Removal of Canon XSi (450D) IR Cut Filter for Astrophotography


UPDATE: I am now providing a low cost modification service to convert your 450D or 1000D. CLICK HERE for details.


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Canon Digital Rebel DSLR Camera -Canon 450D - Canon XSi - Refractor Telescope