Canon Announces EOS 60Da for Astrophotography

[JerryKnight]

The improved infrared-blocking filter is a modification suited specifically toward astronomy enthusiasts to achieve a hydrogen-alpha light sensitivity that is approximately three times higher than that of a normal Canon DSLR camera. This produces a 20-percent higher transmittance of Hydrogen Alpha line, or Hα wavelength, allowing astronomers to capture crisp, clear images of reddish, diffuse nebulae.

Can somebody please make sense of this? Is it 3 times or 20% more sensitive?

My only guess is that they actually mean percentage points, so that the transmittance of normal Canon DSLRs would be 10%, and now it's 30%.

Anyway. Great news for astrophotographers. It would be nice if they also made available filters to turn the 60Da into a normal 60D.

I think you're exactly right. This is why statistics in modern culture are annoying. ("30% more FREE!!!" etc.) Actual meaningful statistics (like the transmittance of a filter) are confused by marketspeak.

I agree that it would be nice to know what lens filter would get you back to a "stock" sensor, in terms of IR sensitivity.

[lonelywhitelights]

This is amazing news =D the 20Da barely ever comes up for sale so I've never been able to get a hold of one and IR modifying one of my current bodies just isn't an option (I don't do enough astrophotography to justify the modification) but wow, honestly did not see this coming at all! the 60D isn't all that fabulous by most accounts but I'm sure the 60Da is a totally different machine and well worth a look at. the specs are pretty impressive - especially if it can perform well at low ISO for multiple long exposures and most importantly the price isn't bad at all! really surprised by Canon on this one! well done Canon =D

[dr croubie]

Wow, may this be the first product release on here that doesn't have anyone complaining?

Maybe because:
- There were no rumours, so no hopes to get up
- It beats the old product in every way
- It's such a specialised product that enthusiasts don't mind the cost, and the rest of us don't mind either because we're just not going to buy it anyway (or is this cost not so much more than a standard 60D that it's cheaper than modding a normal one anyway?)

And did this rebel-N3 connection adapter always exist, or did they just invent it? Good to know if I ever downgrade and want to keep using my TC80N3...

[Caps18]

I use a 50D that has been modified to remove the IR filter, but this is big news.

I have found that Digital Photo Professional can color correct by the Tune button in Tools and shifting towards blue.

Now, Canon should recommend a telescope for novices to use...

[lonelywhitelights]

I use a 50D that has been modified to remove the IR filter, but this is big news.

I have found that Digital Photo Professional can color correct by the Tune button in Tools and shifting towards blue.

Now, Canon should recommend a telescope for novices to use...

There are soooo many great telescopes for novice or beginners, you can get amazing products for under £/$1000 and even under £/$500 just have to have a shop around. And of course there are many many sites offering tutorials on how to get started and what kind of gear you need (not much once you have your telescope, though a motorized mount for the telescope is needed for multiple shot long exposures etc)

A good place to have a look is the Celestron website, the Celestron Nexstar range of scopes are really great and definitely affordable. The Nexstar 4SE captures wonderful images and is less than £500 (if you shop around for the best price)  http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/celestron-nexstar-4se.html

[lonelywhitelights]

Just noticed in the specs that this camera doesn't shoot video... that's actually quite a shock, I've been using video mode on my 7D to shoot little videos of Jupiter etc so it's a shame that a dedicated astrophoto camera isn't capable of shooting video... for the price I would think video capability is a just a given nowadays? leaving it out and still charging that much? sure it's IR capable now but that modification isn't as costly as putting video in... hmm...

[iso79]

Just noticed in the specs that this camera doesn't shoot video... that's actually quite a shock, I've been using video mode on my 7D to shoot little videos of Jupiter etc so it's a shame that a dedicated astrophoto camera isn't capable of shooting video... for the price I would think video capability is a just a given nowadays? leaving it out and still charging that much? sure it's IR capable now but that modification isn't as costly as putting video in... hmm...

I like this move. Maybe Canon is returning to focus on making great still cameras for photographers who don't need video recording.

[daveswan]

This is a very interesting cam, but what exactly is the band-pass of the IR blocking filter? Ideally it should extend all the way to the SII line or a bit beyond with a sharp cut-off. Baader and Astronomik do replacement filters like this.

As for no video, I'm in two minds about this, as ideally one would use a dedicated USB or Firewire cam and Registax for planetary imaging. I don't do any astrophotog, myself *yet* partly due to budget crashes, but also the LP where I am in London is pretty dreadfull, seeing down to even mag 4.5 is a spectacularly good night 

[Astro]

Is it just me or did this just totally blindside us?

that is the problem with camera rumor sites.... the rumors are 90% useless made up stuff.

these camera makers are reayll tight-lipped bunch of peoples.

[briansquibb]

Caught us by surprise, I believe. The way you missed this, Craig... I won't visit CR again. [100% lie, of course] 

Going to have to switch to Nikon Rmours now 

[lol]

are these the same as a fully IR modified camera or somewhere in between?
you know the type for taking those cool mid day shots where all the trees and crass goes white

Nope. This camera still blocks IR, but the filter is a different one which passes more deep visible red which is desired for astronomical use.

[expo01]

- There were no rumours, so no hopes to get up

I think this is the case.

- It beats the old product in every way

That remains to be seen. The 20Da were hand selected sensors, which worked incredibly well.

- It's such a specialised product that enthusiasts don't mind the cost

The 60Da is ALOT cheaper than the 20Da was.

[IWLP]

Just noticed in the specs that this camera doesn't shoot video... that's actually quite a shock, I've been using video mode on my 7D to shoot little videos of Jupiter etc so it's a shame that a dedicated astrophoto camera isn't capable of shooting video... for the price I would think video capability is a just a given nowadays? leaving it out and still charging that much? sure it's IR capable now but that modification isn't as costly as putting video in... hmm...

Canon's own specs disagree, as does the B&H preorder page. And then there's this line in the presser:

"Canon has also included an AC adapter kit with the EOS 60Da, allowing the camera to be powered through an AC wall outlet or a battery-powered inverter, ideal for long exposure image or video capture at home or in the field." (emphasis added)

So it appears it does record video.

[dilbert]

The improved infrared-blocking filter is a modification suited specifically toward astronomy enthusiasts to achieve a hydrogen-alpha light sensitivity that is approximately three times higher than that of a normal Canon DSLR camera. This produces a 20-percent higher transmittance of Hydrogen Alpha line, or Hα wavelength, allowing astronomers to capture crisp, clear images of reddish, diffuse nebulae.

Can somebody please make sense of this? Is it 3 times or 20% more sensitive?

My only guess is that they actually mean percentage points, so that the transmittance of normal Canon DSLRs would be 10%, and now it's 30%.

Anyway. Great news for astrophotographers. It would be nice if they also made available filters to turn the 60Da into a normal 60D.

On DPR, one forum user wrote this:

I think it will be as usable as a standard 60D for daylight photography.

The change centers around the Infra Red filter that covers the sensor, the standard one's start to cut in around 550nm wavelength of light & gently roll in to around 700nm where they block 100% IR light.

This early start & gentle roll in of the IR block / visible light transmit curve means that by around 650nm wavelength you only get about 25% transmission.

Around 650nm is crucial for astrophotography as Hydrogen alpha light is 656.3nm wavelength & many nebulae emit hydrogen alpha light.

So by changing the standard gentle roll in filter for a later starting but more 'cliff edge' IR filter that starts cutting in after the all important 656.3nm & ends at the same 700nm, you get a camera which transmits nigh on 100% of Ha light but blocks all after it, so negligable impact on daylight photography, but a great improvement for astro photography.

[emag]

With a UV/IR blocking Clip Filter and manual white balance it will be fine for standard photography.  I'm curious if it has the 'region-of-interest' video feature found in the T2i or the T3i's zoom feature, both of which are useful for planetary work.  I use a modified 40D for astro, but would love to be able to use one camera for both deep field and planetary work.  Currently I remove the 40D and use a Philipps SPC900NC for planets.  I've been waiting on an announcement regarding the fabled T4i, this one caught me by surprise.  I'll have to compare the cost/return of the 60Da vs. T3i w/modification vs. T4i with modification.   Digic5 would have been nice.  That said, the 60Da is definitely on my short list.    Now to get back to work before my boss walks by!