I'd like to start looking for a digital SLR for some astrophotography, in May-June or whenever the cloud canopy lifts from the Seattle area.  Can anyone make some suggestions for new or used cameras in the $400 to $900 range?  Never yet hooked a camera to my first scope, a 20 yr old Meade SCT, so any "how-to" information, as well as "do's and don't's" would also be very much appreciated.

And a couple other things you can do with a DSLR.
http://cs.astronomy.com/asycs/forums/p/37823/405257.aspx#405257

If you don't want to go the cooled CCD route, go with a Canon DSLR.

My DSLRs are generally too noisy to take out of the house after dark, so I typically use the cooled CCD at the telescope. Cooling the camera 35 or 40 degrees really does away with (or at least reduces) the noise, but my little CCD doesn't have the size to allow large subjects, like the Andromeda galaxy, to fit into a single frame. My choices are a multi-frame mosaic, or pull out the (larger sensor) DSLR for nighttime duty.

I gave the (Nikon) D2Xs a try this weekend, in preparation for working on the galaxy (M31). I ran through 5 and 10min exposures @ iso400 and iso800, selected the 10min at iso800 as the best compromise between signal and noise (probably 8min would have been better). The noise, with the Nikon DSLR, is MUCH higher than my cooled CCD, and probably four times higher than one of the late model Canon DSLRs. I suspect that I will need to run at least four, and probably eight hours (10min exposures using "mode 3") on M31 to get a decent photo (plus 12-15 darks, flats, and flat darks, ie everything that can be done to optimize the end photo).

The same photo, made with a Canon probably requires half of the effort.

Robert

I love my canon xsi and did a lot of research and am happy I chose it.

Let me echo some of the previous post on this subject.

It so happens I've been contemplating the same question.  All of my research on the matter leads me to a Canon.  The Digital Rebel seems to be floating up to the top in both performance and affordability.  I don't actually own the camera so I can only speak for the reearch I've done. 

both the XS and XSi are superb low priced cameras- you wont go wrong with either- you need a focal reducer (should have anyway)- then the T ring and adaptor- then a remote switch, if your SCT is fork mounted- the camera will be ok for shorter exposure, if its EQ mounted- then you can go deeper and would probably benefit with a modded camera then ($300 extra)

I had planned on getting a Nikon 300D next year to get back into regular photography. Now, after reading the posts about Canon and astrophotography I suppose I should go with a Canon. What is the top of the line Rebel available now? I'd like check it out.

Here is a link to Canons EOS camera line up and specifications.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111

JJ

Please - Teach an old dog a new trick.  Define "modded" camera...

Poppa

A "Modded" camera has had the IR filter removed that is in front of the CCD or CMOS chip. In it's place a special band pass filter is installed. This enhances the camera's ability to operate closer to the infra red band, thus enhancing the reds. It also destroys the white balance when the camera is used normaly, however a filter can be placed over the front lens to compensate, or a special white balance can be set into the camera settings. The mod costs about $300.

JJ

 If you plan on doing any long exposures (10 minutes or more) I would highly recommend reconsidering the DSLR and look into a cooled CCD camera. For some reason tkerr bashes the Orion Starshoot Pro cameras, I have one and upgraded from a Nikon D-40 and it was a giant leap up in image quality. Granted I can't easily use it for everyday photography but I already had a camera I can use for everyday photography. Also if you MOD a DSLR it will affect your daytime photography and other filters will need to be purchased.

TheHarvester:

 If you plan on doing any long exposures (10 minutes or more) I would highly recommend reconsidering the DSLR and look into a cooled CCD camera. For some reason tkerr bashes the Orion Starshoot Pro cameras, I have one and upgraded from a Nikon D-40 and it was a giant leap up in image quality. Granted I can't easily use it for everyday photography but I already had a camera I can use for everyday photography. Also if you MOD a DSLR it will affect your daytime photography and other filters will need to be purchased.

I don't Bash the Orion Starshoot Pro CCD Camera's. For their cost and class they are probably good enough for anyone introducing themselves to CCD imaging.   I have however and will always bash is the poor quality of the original Orion Starshoot CCD cameras and the Meade DSI's.  The quality of images produced by those cameras is, putting it politely, Poor.  

If you want a camera dedicated for nothing but astro-imaging then a purpose built CCD would be the way to go.  If on the other hand you want a multi-purpose camera that can be used for astro and daytime terrestrial photography then a Canon DSLR is the way to go. If you can afford both then go for it.  But I would look at other CCD cameras before I would Orion or Meade.

Additionally, Most new computers are now 64 bit machines, you cannot use a Orion Starshoot on a new computer if it has a 64 bit system.  The software might work on a 64 bit machine, but the hardware device drivers to control the cameras are not compatible and won't work. In the words of Orion Customer support it is something they are aware of, are taking into consideration for the future, and are discussing it with their product manufactures. 

Why can't they make a device driver update that can be downloaded from the web?  

Oriondk:

I had planned on getting a Nikon 300D next year to get back into regular photography.

If you want a good setup for conventional photography, you can't beat "pro" grade Nikon glass. The Nikon DSLRs are good enough for conventional work too, you don't need 10minute exposures when the sun is up. I've used nothing but Nikon (coolpix 995, D100, D1x, D2xs) for conventional photo work, but leave them in the house after dark.

For astro work, go with a cooled CCD, or if you really must count the beans, a canon DSLR.

Robert

tkerr:

Why can't they make a device driver update that can be downloaded from the web?  

Not everyone has the money to drop on an SBIG, FLI or Apogee. In most cases you do get what you pay for but MANY people cant pay 5K for a large chip ccd camera. Orion happen to fill that gap and as far as I am concerned did it nicely. In the right hands those CCD cameras can do some very nice work. Yes I know SBIG has recently come out with a cheap large chip camera but they didn't have anything like that, in my budget when I was looking for a camera.

As far as the 64 bit drivers go. they have been there for a while now.

That's nice that Orion has 64 bit drivers available now, but it hasn't been that long. It was only spring/summer of this year(2009) I was in contact with them and they told me they were not yet available.   That was the one thing at the time that was preventing me from possibly purchasing one of their CCD cameras.

Does anyone know if Meade has got around to developing a 64 bit device driver for their DSI CCD cameras yet?  And if they have are they available for download somewhere for older DSI CCD cameras such as the DSI II C?  

my thinking is, i wouldnt even consider an orion camera- aside from whatever quality it is, orion is just a branded middleman selling products- i really think they totally lack support /repair/ upgrade services when and if needed, for a low cost imager, id rather have a QHY, Opticstar, Atik or something similiar, i cant speak for the others not owning them- but my opticstar (i even bought it from the UK)- i had massive support with it, even when i felt it wasnt working right- i sent in back for a service check and was re-imbersed all shipping cost- turned out, there was nothing wrong anyway- simply my user error,but the point of it is, buying a camera that does and will have some servicing, even if its just software drivers- this stuff doesnt usually exist with orion with just about anything

Luna01:

I have a bookmark about Digital SLR Cameras Buying Guide,  you can check out to have a look, hope this helps!

Keep in mind that Daylight photography and Night sky photography hold completely different challenges if you are considering a DSLR for one or the other or both.   One brand/make of camera might be favored in performance over all others in any or all reviews for daylight photography, but when it comes to Night sky DSO photography not many can stand up to the unrelenting challenges imposed by astrophotography and is often why the Canon EOS DSLR's are more popular for that purpose.