Per Canon Ad Astra

Nothing has surprised me more about the change to digital capture than the results that are delivered when digital cameras are turned up to the heavens. Images are regularly displayed by professional and amateur workers that, at first glance, have seemed to be impossible. I have been tempted to think that some of them are illustrations done with airbrush - until further examinations shows them to be complete detailed photos.

Apparently the best of these are done with cameras that have been especially prepared and attached to telescopes and long lenses. Those interested in the field know more about this - the tracking mechanisms, the multiple shots for dynamic range, the search into false colours to indicate different things in the stars. I just know they look wonderful.

Canon have brought out a new version of one of their very popular digital DSLR bodies designed to provide the "specially prepared" camera straight out of the box. The 60Da is in-store right now in our rental department for keen astronomers. Those with EOS fittings for their telescopes can go straight out on a dark night and reach out to the stars.

Apparently that last statement contains the crux of the matter - the dark night is harder to find these days as light pollution creeps over our state. They go further and further afield to find an undisturbed view. When they get it they need the 60Da with the special hydrogen-alpha filter over the sensor to gather the faintest traces of astral light without being unduly affected by terrestrial pollution. This is factory-fitted - no further alteration needed.

This blog can only be in the nature of a " here'tis " notification because I do not have the expertise to further explain the process. Our service coordinator can tell you more as he does do some astral photography. The Canon website may also prove helpful. I am afraid my own efforts at capturing Polaris on my camera from my back yard were a failure - a piece of dirt got in the way and obscured it. But then I wasn't using the new Canon 60Da.