Canon 200/2.8 for astrophotography

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:17 pm

Could be the usual marketing gibberish! Yah I read that the Flat 2 is highly recomended for the ZS66 and usable on the 80's and 90-100's!! but the reducer module itself does not have an SCT thread..but an SCT to 2" adapter. The APO Flat2 comes in 3 parts, SCT to 2" adapter, the reducer module and a threaded 2 inch collar. The reducer module front end has T-threads for CCD's and T-rings! So to fit to a ZS66 you'd have to screw in the SCT adapter and the collar connected to the reducer module.
For other scopes, it's the 2" collar to reducer to SCT adapter with 2" opening for other stuff to fit!

Aside from this, I am searching through 2nd hand Canon's for AP use. But being an old Nikon Film user, I may grab a Nikon so I can still use it with my prime lenses and end up modding my S3 instead! sigh** decisions decisions! Stuart....any recommendations...hehe!

@Stuart!
Off topic! Could you PM/SMS me your mobile?? I lost it when my cell went bust! Need to arrange pick up of Mahjong kit!...lol! Thanks!

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:35 pm

tim,

there are some really cheap used Canon DSLR's on CS now. you can get a 20D for like $200. then mod it.

that said, it is claimed that the 20D (like the 300D/10D before it) still suffer from amp glow, while Canon changed the behavior in later models to power off the amp during long exposures.

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:56 pm

Bro, if you want I can lend you my old D70 (currently on loan to another friend for photography classes with his girlfriend)

But your Pentax will probably do better.

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:01 pm

Kevin,
are you referring to me? ;-) or Tim?

I still have the Pentax but also scarfed up a 40D on CS a few days ago.. cleverly camouflaged as my wife's bug-hunting equipment (also got the 100mm macro USM).

I gotta say.. Canon AF is way, way faster than Pentax...

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:13 pm

Thanks guys for the offers and suggestions!

I have been scanning CS for 2nd hand deals. May probably head down Nikon's way largely due to my 105 and 50mm lenses that I have kept thru the years. I can always mod later down the road either the Nikon or the S3. Since I don't shoot commercially nowadays, I just need a simple 2nd Hand DSLR for my outings and such. I just shoot as a hobby with the usual models that I work with...so don't need anything fancy..lol!

Just a case of decisions

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:23 pm

"Usual models" *grin*
If you're looking for cameras, try KEH. If not, I'm sure some of the local camera clubs will have people trying to sell since cameras are even more prone to equipment hopping than telescopes.

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:28 pm

Actually before jumping on the Canon wagon, I did some research.

You can actually beat KEH prices by trawling CS. In absolute terms, KEH prices are lower (just a bit lower..) but once you factor in shipping etc. local is cheaper.

Ex. Canon 100mm Macro Ultrasonic - lowest KEH price $429 USD or $556 SGD at current Google rate. Factor in shipping (at least $50 SGD) and GST (maybe $30 SGD). Got mine from CS for $580 SGD.

Of course there are a number of folks on CS who charge optimistically high prices for their used gear. Since I knew what I'd pay on KEH, I could automatically filter those sellers out.

Funny thing is.. nobody is grabbing my Pentax gear even though I consistently labeled them 10% or more lower than everybody else. :-P

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:32 pm

Maybe your location, bro? If they see Phillipines (or even Singapore - part of China, right?) they might think you're a scammer.

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:35 pm

btw Tim, unless the Nikon you get is a D200 or higher (or a D7000) it won't be able to meter old Nikon lenses due to lack of the aperture-sensing prong. So no metering at all although you do get stop-down and can use the histogram or an external meter.

Not sure about the S3.. isn't that based on an F80 body? I don't think that had the aperture prong either.

You can however mount Nikon lenses on a Canon. You lose mechanical stop-down but metering works! (in Av and M modes). And it's pretty accurate.

Another thing is, Nikon used prices on CS are unrealistically high. D80's are still going for north of $600 (same price as used EOS 40D / Pentax K20D). The latter two are far better-spec'ed than the D80 (they compete with the D200, for which people are asking $900 plus).