Canon yanks EOS 20Da astronomy camera

I sure that the next line of camera will be able to be modified just like
the previous in order to increase the red sensitivity into the Ha. Plus
there might be some used 20Da's pop up used on Astromart from time to time.

Joe





"Stan Jensen" wrote in message
...
http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/10/c...ronomy-camera/

Canon yanks EOS 20Da astronomy camera

Canon has announced that the company will discontinue its EOS 20Da
digital SLR later this month. The camera -- a version of the EOS 20D
optimized for astrophotography with a custom low-pass filter and live
LCD focusing via a mirror lock-up -- was always a unique product
targeting a specialized niche. Canon insists that it's killing the cam
because its base body, the 20D, is being replaced by the new 30D. That
could mean that Canon plans a new model based on the 30D, or it could
just be an effort to find a graceful way to kill off a product that
was a little too specialized to find a decent market -- especially at
a price of about $2,500 with lenses, more than double the going rate
for the 20D.

J McBride wrote:
I sure that the next line of camera will be able to be modified just like
the previous in order to increase the red sensitivity into the Ha. Plus
there might be some used 20Da's pop up used on Astromart from time to time.



Of course: But that adds warranty issues. 20Da did not.

"J McBride" wrote
....
I sure that the next line of camera will be able to be modified just like
the previous in order to increase the red sensitivity into the Ha. Plus
there might be some used 20Da's pop up used on Astromart from time to
time.


Call SBIG. According to them they get several calls a day from DSLR owners
wanting to "move up" to an SBIG camera. Perhaps they can start selling them
used!

George N

George Normandin wrote:
"J McBride" wrote
...

I sure that the next line of camera will be able to be modified just like
the previous in order to increase the red sensitivity into the Ha. Plus
there might be some used 20Da's pop up used on Astromart from time to
time.



Call SBIG. According to them they get several calls a day from DSLR owners
wanting to "move up" to an SBIG camera. Perhaps they can start selling them
used!


Once you buy into having a computer in the loop while imaging, there are
many options. I've seen some great results with the Meade DSI series.

Phil

On Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:33:20 GMT, "George Normandin"
wrote:

Call SBIG. According to them they get several calls a day from DSLR owners
wanting to "move up" to an SBIG camera. Perhaps they can start selling them
used!

Yes, an ST2000 series SBIG is certainly cost-competitive with a 20Da
at MSRP which is why I won't pay that much for a DSLR. But the cost of
that SBIG setup jumps when you start adding everything else you'll
need like the CFW8A color wheel for the monochrome CCD + filters.

The one-shot color ST2000XCM is currently only $2695 (even less if you
don't want the integrated autoguider) but you give up the efficiency
and flexibility of the monochrome version.

---
Michael McCulloch

"Michael McCulloch" wrote
...
On Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:33:20 GMT, "George Normandin"
wrote:

Call SBIG. According to them they get several calls a day from DSLR owners
wanting to "move up" to an SBIG camera. Perhaps they can start selling
them
used!

Yes, an ST2000 series SBIG is certainly cost-competitive with a 20Da
at MSRP which is why I won't pay that much for a DSLR. But the cost of
that SBIG setup jumps when you start adding everything else you'll
need like the CFW8A color wheel for the monochrome CCD + filters.

The one-shot color ST2000XCM is currently only $2695 (even less if you
don't want the integrated autoguider) but you give up the efficiency
and flexibility of the monochrome version.

---

Michael,

I think the question is not "is there a competitive SBIG camera" but
rather a do people starting out astro imaging with a DSLR, and in particular
the 20Da, "move up" to more expensive astro CCD cameras after a while? SBIG
says yes, and a lot of people are doing it. If that's true then there should
be a ready supply of used 20Da's. Admittedly there are others who say that
DSLR owners are not moving up, but again, SBIG says that they get regular
calls from people doing just that.

George N

George Normandin wrote:
"Michael McCulloch" wrote
"George Normandin" wrote:
Call SBIG. According to them they get several calls a day from DSLR owners
wanting to "move up" to an SBIG camera. Perhaps they can start selling
them
used!

Yes, an ST2000 series SBIG is certainly cost-competitive with a 20Da
at MSRP which is why I won't pay that much for a DSLR. But the cost of
that SBIG setup jumps when you start adding everything else you'll
need like the CFW8A color wheel for the monochrome CCD + filters.

The one-shot color ST2000XCM is currently only $2695 (even less if you
don't want the integrated autoguider) but you give up the efficiency
and flexibility of the monochrome version.

I think the question is not "is there a competitive SBIG camera" but
rather a do people starting out astro imaging with a DSLR, and in particular
the 20Da, "move up" to more expensive astro CCD cameras after a while? SBIG
says yes, and a lot of people are doing it. If that's true then there should
be a ready supply of used 20Da's. Admittedly there are others who say that
DSLR owners are not moving up, but again, SBIG says that they get regular
calls from people doing just that.


Which is why it might be better to stick with the 300D as a wide field
starter astro camera...

- Stephen