Mirrorless DSLR for AP

[shannong]

Greetings.

I'm considering buying a new camera to support my AP endeavors. I have a 12" Dob and plan to do some afocal and prime focus photos with it. It seems mirrorless DSLR is the new rage and so I'm looking at one of those vs the traditional DSLR. Specifically, I'm looking at the Canon EOS M. It seems to be a nice blend of features and capabilities in a reasonable price range, though I'm not sure I like that lack of integrated flash.

Anyone here using a mirrorless DSLR for AP?

[Phil Leigh]

Greetings.

I'm considering buying a new camera to support my AP endeavors. I have a 12" Dob and plan to do some afocal and prime focus photos with it. It seems mirrorless DSLR is the new rage and so I'm looking at one of those vs the traditional DSLR. Specifically, I'm looking at the Canon EOS M. It seems to be a nice blend of features and capabilities in a reasonable price range, though I'm not sure I like that lack of integrated flash.

Anyone here using a mirrorless DSLR for AP?

The EOS M is not an SLR... It has no optical viewfinder or moving mirror, both which are what make an SLR an SLR! Im sure it would work fine for AP but personally I'd rather have a real camera :-). They certainly aren't all the rage for AP.

[KeithBC]

I agree that the terminology is all mixed up if they are calling these things DSLRs. It is a Digital Single-Lens Non-reflex camera: DSLN. Be that as it may, there is a potential advantage to this configuration: the shallower body may allow them to focus on Newtonians where DSLRs won't.

On a Dob, though, a video cameralike a webcam may be more appropriate, due to the difficulties in tracking.

[shannong]

Mirrorless DSLR certainly isn't their official name. They are referred to that by some in an off-handed way given their interchangeable lenses and other features that are so similar to the DSLRs.

I am concerned about the extension of the focal path doing prime focus and the weight of the camera. The mirrorless certainly helps with that vs the DSLR. I plan to measure the back focus tonight to take into account when looking at cameras. I could probably move the the primary in about an inch using longer collimation screws but would like to avoid that if possible.

I've seen pics from webcams and I'm not enthused. Plus, I'm in need of buying a decent camera anyways. My old point-and-shoot is quite lame.

My dob does track to help with the logistics of the object drifting out of view during setup, focusing, taking multiple shots, etc but I realize the mount and accuracy aren't suitable to long exposures.

[shannong]

The EOS M is not an SLR... It has no optical viewfinder or moving mirror, both which are what make an SLR an SLR! Im sure it would work fine for AP but personally I'd rather have a real camera :-). They certainly aren't all the rage for AP.

So what's a real camera for you?

[Tim K]

So what's a real camera for you?

A Hap Griffin modded, Canon 5D mkIII would fit the bill for me.

Seriously, any of the recent EOS cameras like the T3i or D60, or even an older model with the IR filter removed would be better for astro use. Software and adapters are readily available. It will be some time before the same is true for these mirrorless bodies.

[shannong]

A Hap Griffin modded, Canon 5D mkIII would fit the bill for me.

Seriously, any of the recent EOS cameras like the T3i or D60, or even an older model with the IR filter removed would be better for astro use. Software and adapters are readily available. It will be some time before the same is true for these mirrorless bodies.

Hmm... Well that's a digital camera with a CMOS so I don't know if you can call it a REAL camera.

The Canon T3i is one of the cameras I'm looking at in the DSLRs. I'm not worried about the filters because I won't be doing any long exposure of galaxies or nebula. If I stick with astronomy and AP more than a few years then I'll get a scope with a tracking EM mount that's more conducive to long exposure. And if I'm real skippy maybe I'll even spring for a CCD camera.

[Phil Leigh]

So what's a real camera for you?

for terrestrial photography I'm more than happy with my Canon 7D. For AP, a modded 450D (or any later model) is "OK" but the real answer lies in proper CCD cameras at a high price!

[darethehair]

Recently, I almost inadvertently destroyed my DSLR (Canon T1i/500D) by getting it very 'wet'. While waiting for it to dry out, I decided to look for possible replacements -- one of the conditions being that I could continue to use it for astro purposes.

My brother recently purchased the Sony NEX-5N 'mirrorless' camera. Very nice! High ratings, and some people have already used it for astrophotography. However, for myself, I already have an investment in Canon lenses, so that wasn't an option for me. Now the new 'EOS M' shows up, and it looks like it might be the best solution for me -- a lighter/smaller camera putting less stress on my telescopes/mounts. However, I get the vibes that there is no way to do the wired 'remote control' it like the regular Canon DSLRs (?). Also, no one is yet certain whether 'Magic Lantern' firmware extensions will work (or when). In other words, what intervalometer functions (or other 'astro' ones) are available?

I also considered buying a used T1i/500D to replace my own -- but not so great a value and always the concern as to the shutter life remaining.

In the end, my camera *was* functional, so the pressure for a new camera went away -- but it forced me to consider the world of 'mirrorless' cameras

[Phil Leigh]

For the avoidance of doubt, the best AP cameras are cooled mono CCD's. They are useless for anything else. Everything else when used for AP is a compromise.