Astro converted camera
For sale is a modified Canon 550D for H-alpha photography (656.28 nm) with 6415 clicks
Scope of delivery at a glance:
√ Canon 550D camera case with camera lid, eyecup and camera strap
√ USB-cable
√ Charger
√ Battery
√ CD-ROM
On this camera we grant 1 year warranty and up to 25,000 triggers (current status of triggers 6415) on the shutter within the 1st year. The images are samples: technical state 100%, optical state good.
Impact of our modification of Canon DSLR on H-alpha photography in the range of 656.28 nm
Special cameras for H-alpha photography are in the 4-digit euro range. Thanks to a wide range of used DSLRs, it's cheaper.
Canon installs an infrared blocking filter (Phaser layer Infrared-absorption glass) in the cameras to block the rays that are undesirable to the natural image. The H-alpha rays, which are still visible to the eye at 656.28 nm, can already be recorded with a non-modified camera. However, longer exposure times are necessary for this. By modifying the removal of the locking filter, the spectrum of the camera is extended up to 700 nm and thus the rays in the H-alpha range reach the sensor unhindered with shorter exposure times.
In the pictures you can see planetary nebulas M51, Andromeda, Elephants and Rosette made with Canon 1000D and 1100D modified by us.
Necessary changes during the conversion (see penultimate picture)
There are several optical filters on the camera's sensor, including the Phaser layer Infrared-absorption glass Filter responsible for blocking the H-alpha rays. This filter is extended using cleanroom technology to prevent dust from reaching the sensor. After removing the filter, the filter's run size is re-adjusted. The sensor of a Canon DSLR has three support points for alignment and only one camera with a correct modification correctly reproduces correctly up to all extreme corners of the sensor field and retains an accurate autofocus.
The image shows the sensor of a Canon EOS 1000D (1). This sensor includes, among other things, the Phaser layer Infrared-absorption glass Filter (4), which filters out UV and IR rays. After removing the filter, the sensor (5) remains protected by the top-of-the-range low-pass filter (2). This filter contains sensor cleaning, a piezolelectric element that shakes the filter glass at high frequency, emitting small dust particles. The converted sensor, modified for astro-photography, can be seen under (6). Just as the sensor of a 1000D is constructed, so are the sensors of the two- to four-digit Canon EOS cameras.
FAQ
1. Choosing the camera model
More pixels don't necessarily mean better shots. The APS-C sensor of the Canon cameras we modified has between 10 megapixels (Canon 1000D) and 24 megapixels (Canon 80D). With the same sensor size APS-C, the megapixels with newer models increase more than twice. Apart from the fact that between the development of the sensor of the Canon 1000D and Canon 80D are 8 years in which the sensor technology and processor performance were improved, the surface of the pixel of a Canon 1000D is 2.4x larger than that of an 80D. More photons are encountered on a larger pixel. So if you want a lot of light per pixel, you can also choose a Canon EOS with a full-frame sensor (e.B. Canon 6D) instead of a camera with a high-resolution APS-C sensor. On the picture you can see the size comparison of an APS-C and a full-frame sensor.
A Canon 2000D or Canon 200D with a very low dark current and low noise is also considered an insider tip among astrophotographers.
We recommend that you check the relevant astro-forums before purchasing. These are full of good tips for deciding to buy the right astrocamera.
2. Ease
A Canon 1000D is inexpensive and light. A low weight is of the advantage for the counterweight required on the telescope. If you want a larger display, more pixels and don't want to bend, take a Canon 600D because of the swivel display and if you prefer a touchscreen, a Canon 650D or Canon 700D.
3. Astrophotography for the clear nights and for normal shots
An astromodified camera can still be used for daylight shooting. For this purpose, one either performs a manual white balance or puts a UV-IR cut filter on the lens, which has the optical properties of the removed blocking filter. There are also practical clip filters that are inserted into the camera between the sensor and the lens. However, since the price of such filters is in the range of a Canon 1000D modified by us, everyone should decide whether a non-modified second camera is the better choice.
4. Have your own camera converted
Do you have a Canon or would you like to buy and have a new camera built? Take a look at our service offerings in our Ebay shop. We offer the conversion service to the astrocamera for many models.
5. You have a defective Canon
We repair all camera models we offer. These include the installation of a new closure, sensor cleaning, the replacement of the leather and other repairs. Ask us.
6. Why do our prices fluctuate
We buy used cameras, perform a major overhaul and modify them. Depending on the condition, the number of triggers and the effort involved in the general overhaul, the sales price is therefore different.
7. Optical condition of our cameras
We are photographers, technicians and like clean equipment. Therefore, the used cameras are cleaned and repaired with original spare parts if necessary. Common wear parts such as closures or mirror boxes are replaced if required. We clean the leather and renew it in case of excessive wear, replace eye cups for hygienic reasons and clean camera straps (even if the latter are not used on a telescope).
Your new used camera will also be a pleasure for you from a hygienic point of view. We are not only inexpensive; we trust our work. Therefore, we grant 25,000 clicks on the shutter for each used astrocamera as part of the one-year warranty.
8. References of eifelcam
Read the reviews on Ebay: our sales have 100% positive rating. What started 9 years ago as a custom-made product for our customer (of which, by the way, two of the pictures shown here come with a 1000Da) developed into more than a hundred astro-cameras converted annually. Our customers are naturally mainly located in the DACH region, but the number of international customers in Europe is growing. We have another Ebay shop https://www.ebay.de/str/thedolphinshop for sometimes rare camera spare parts. For some of the older ones among us, DolphinDOS recalls memories for the Commodore C64. The owner of eifelcam and thedolphin.shop developed the floppyspeeder together with his partner in 1985.
This is a commercial offer. You will receive an invoice with VAT.
Commercial customers with VAT# receive a net invoice (please provide the VAT# before you place the order and we will send you a modified offer).
