Camera Labs

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_can ... ry+News%29

I double checked the date, it isn't from the 1st!

In a quick scan of the specs, I'm not sure it is any more than a 60D with modified IR block filter for increased Ha sensitivity. "estimated retail price" of $1499 but for that they do throw in an AC adapter so you don't have to worry about batteries. For price comparison, B&H and Adorama currently sell the regular 60D at just under $1k, so the premium for the Da is not excessive compared to getting a 3rd party modification done.

I think this is going to be on my shopping list! Not that I dislike 3rd party modifications, and my modified 450D has certainly been useful, but I'm not confident the sensor is clean or as parallel as Canon could do do it. Plus you can't say no to the flip screen

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

Good catch. It's difficult to be sure but I sort of get the impression that, unlike third party modified cameras, this one may be totally usable for terrestrial work without an additional filter. I guess that's quite possible if the IR filter has a steep roll-off below the Hα line.

Update: CPN have a write up here and include a couple of sample shots, the first with a normal 60D and the second with the 60Da

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

The typical "astro filters" which are quite sharp visible light bandpass I think can already be used normally, with a custom white balance to allow for the increased red sensitivity. On my modified 450D I chose to go for one that didn't block IR at all, so it could double for IR use even if that has caused some issues for astro use.

People have picked up on a vague description in the announcement about optimised noise. I'm not optimistic, and think that's just marketing talk and it is effectively the same as the existing 18MP sensor. But there remains a possibility they may have made other adjustments for astro use.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

Thanks for the clarification about the filter. "Chapeau" to Canon for reviving the 20Da heritage but unless the 60Da was to be a main DSLR which could also be used for astrophotography there is an interesting balance to be struck regarding cost effectiveness. For example, the Starlight Xpress SXVR-H9 can be had for about the same price. A lot less pixels and slightly bigger pixels to boot but arguably a much better signal from each of those pixels especially for long duration exposures. An extra £40 even buys you a little cooling enhancer to go with it!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I'm sure that CCD is great for what it does, but the tiny size and corresponding lack of pixels make me think there is a lot of room for price optimisations in astro CCD devices. For the price they go for, you could easily get a used 5D mk2 and a new one isn't much further. I am wondering if anyone has ever successfully done a physical modification to a DSLR to bolt a peltier onto the back of the sensor, and how that would perform? Suggestions from people who just cool the whole DSLR suggest it does help.

I was also thinking the other day, if Canon were to make another Da, would there be an advantage if they made a colour unfiltered sensor. And could they also sell it in a secondary market for those who love black and white, where I understood in the film days that could be a tradeoff for more sensitivity and/or resolution. But that's rather moot as they have done it with what sounds like a conventional DSLR sensor.

Anyway, like everything else in astro-imaging, there are a lot of choices and optimisations that can be made depending on the target and budget. The 60Da certainly wont be for everyone. Personally I only wished they made it the 600Da and knock a bit more off the cost...

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I live under the impression that a dedicated device for no matter what task, performs better than some multi task solution. I’ve sinned quite a few times by buying something that is 2 or three in one , like a washing machine that dries too. This new camera has many features that are not needed in astrophotography, and with $200 or so more you can get a SBIG 8300c full frame CCD colour camera cooled and optimized for the task, that I strongly suspect performs much better than the 60Da. Sure the 60Da is good for your ”day job” too, bur with $1500 you can get a better camera for that task. So the 60D is an expensive day camera and an expensive astro camera, and I’m not so sure it is worth it.

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Radu
Canon PowerShot S100
Canon 50D , SIGMA 10-20 f3.5 ,Canon EF 24-105 L IS USM, Canon EF 100/2.8 macro Canon EF 50/1.4 ,Canon EF 85 f1.8,Canon EF-S17-85 4-5.6 Old Tamron 28-300 inherited from my Canon Rebel G film camera
Canon580EXII
http://www.errre.net

The 8300c isn't "full frame" as we know it in photographic terms. The sensor is only 18x14mm, which is comparable to (micro)FourThirds size. Also it is only 8MP. Take your choice on resolution, signal to noise, and imaging area. Some of the many, many tradeoffs that can be made in astro-imaging.

Pricing wise in a quick reference the ST-8300C is $1800 compared to the 60Da stated $1500, but I think street for the 60Da will be lower. In the UK I can only see the STF-8300C and that's pushing on double the expected price of the 60Da.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Like this? Not cheap and there's an obvious problem!

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hmm... that would be ok if you only used it over USB, but the cost of modifying it definitely pushes it into CCD territory... might be handy if you already have a setup based around DSLRs and don't want to relearn how to set up a CCD?

If I get *really* bored this long weekend I was thinking of taking apart the 450D as there's an annoying speck of dust trapped between the filter and sensor... might see what else could be possible while I'm there.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.