Newbie Q: is this the right group?

Hi guys.
Am interested in digital astrophotography, but will probably start with
using a digital hand-held camera for prime-focus, before moving up to
dedicated CCD-type devices.
My question is... does this forum cover the lower end digital camera
style of astrophotography or just the higher spec end?

cheers,
Steve

"Sam" wrote in message ...
Hi guys.
Am interested in digital astrophotography, but will probably start with
using a digital hand-held camera for prime-focus, before moving up to
dedicated CCD-type devices.
My question is... does this forum cover the lower end digital camera style
of astrophotography or just the higher spec end?

Probably, but there's not a lot of traffic here..
My advice would be to get yourself a Canon 350D (aka Digital
Rebel), and google for something like "canon 350D astro image"
which will give you a plethora of wonderful sites/forums etc.
If you don't want to spend that much, consider starting with a
modified webcam. Some commercial astrocams are, in fact,
exactly that..
Google for "QCUIAG" if interested in long-exposure modification
of cheap webcams.
HTH,
--
Rob

Rob wrote:

"Sam" wrote in message ...

Hi guys.
Am interested in digital astrophotography, but will probably start with
using a digital hand-held camera for prime-focus, before moving up to
dedicated CCD-type devices.
My question is... does this forum cover the lower end digital camera style
of astrophotography or just the higher spec end?


Probably, but there's not a lot of traffic here..
My advice would be to get yourself a Canon 350D (aka Digital
Rebel), and google for something like "canon 350D astro image"
which will give you a plethora of wonderful sites/forums etc.
If you don't want to spend that much, consider starting with a
modified webcam. Some commercial astrocams are, in fact,
exactly that..
Google for "QCUIAG" if interested in long-exposure modification
of cheap webcams.
HTH,


Thanks for the response Rob.
Any advice on finding a newsgroup which deals with astrophotography with
off the shelf cameras?

Cheers from New Zealand!
S.

Rob wrote:

"Sam" wrote in message ...

Hi guys.
Am interested in digital astrophotography, but will probably start with
using a digital hand-held camera for prime-focus, before moving up to
dedicated CCD-type devices.
My question is... does this forum cover the lower end digital camera style
of astrophotography or just the higher spec end?


Probably, but there's not a lot of traffic here..
My advice would be to get yourself a Canon 350D (aka Digital
Rebel), and google for something like "canon 350D astro image"
which will give you a plethora of wonderful sites/forums etc.
If you don't want to spend that much, consider starting with a
modified webcam. Some commercial astrocams are, in fact,
exactly that..
Google for "QCUIAG" if interested in long-exposure modification
of cheap webcams.
HTH,

Sorry, just to clarify... don't have a Canon, so any guidance to
newsgroups dealing with generic digital photography would be greatly
appreciated!

Ta.
S.

"Sam" wrote in message ...
Rob wrote:

"Sam" wrote in message
...

Hi guys.
Am interested in digital astrophotography, but will probably start with
using a digital hand-held camera for prime-focus, before moving up to
dedicated CCD-type devices.
My question is... does this forum cover the lower end digital camera
style of astrophotography or just the higher spec end?


Probably, but there's not a lot of traffic here..
My advice would be to get yourself a Canon 350D (aka Digital
Rebel), and google for something like "canon 350D astro image"
which will give you a plethora of wonderful sites/forums etc.
If you don't want to spend that much, consider starting with a
modified webcam. Some commercial astrocams are, in fact,
exactly that..
Google for "QCUIAG" if interested in long-exposure modification
of cheap webcams.
HTH,

Sorry, just to clarify... don't have a Canon, so any guidance to
newsgroups dealing with generic digital photography would be greatly
appreciated!

A really good one is IceInSpace - Aussie-based, so good for you
in the Southern hemisphere and they cover just about everything!
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?home
Other sites with good forums I visit a lot:
http://www.cloudynights.com/
http://ukastroimaging.co.uk/forums/index.php

I often use IceInSpace myself, depite being in the UK. You have
some lovely dark skies down there - I've considered emigrating
many, many times!
Cheers,
--
Rob (~52N, ~1W)