Advice on cheap mirrorless camera for astrophotography (with BULB and PC connection) - Forums

Topic starter

Apr 27, 2021

I am looking to get a good value, second hand, mirrorless APS-C size camera with the following features:
- bulb setting which can work with cable (not infrared) intervalometer
- live view connection with PC so the image can be displayed, ideally with astronomy specific software (e.g. sharpcap) or manufacturer's software (e.g. Canon EOS utility live view etc).

I want to make sure that (1) I can easily set up multiple exposure of more than 30 seconds, and (ii) that I can preview the image on PC and do the focus on the PC screen.

It seems that some of the budget models (e.g. sony nex 5n or Canon eos m) either do not have live view/control over USB or lack the BULB port.

Any advice on a suitable camera at the 200€/$ level second hand would be appreciated.

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D. Jung

Apr 27, 2021 · Edited: Apr 27, 2021

Try to get a used Canon (550d or 1100d, they are not mirrorless though). Install MagicLantern to get all the functions of a pro camera (https://magiclantern.fm/).

Cosmetatos

Topic starter

Apr 27, 2021

D. Jung:
(550d or 1100d, they are not mirrorless though)

I prefer mirrorless due to shorter sensor distance. The DSLRs have long distance and do not work with one of my scopes.

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 27, 2021

FujiFilm X-T100. If you can afford it a Nikon Z50. And I'm just mentioning the cheap ones.

dkamen

Apr 27, 2021

I think it is much easier to find a high quality APS-C DSLR at this price range than it a mirrorless. A Canon probably since they are able to stream the live view.

You could also look for a used OSC CMOS astrocamera since they are designed to work with a computer. Normal cameras are better at standalone operation.

If that one telescope that you mentioned doesn't have a 5cm backfocus then it is very unlikely to be good for astrophotography anyway.

Cheers,

Dimitris

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 27, 2021

I think it is much easier to find a high quality APS-C DSLR at this price range than it a mirrorless. A Canon probably since they are able to stream the live view.

You could also look for a used OSC CMOS astrocamera since they are designed to work with a computer. Normal cameras are better at standalone operation.

If that one telescope that you mentioned doesn't have a 5cm backfocus then it is very unlikely to be good for astrophotography anyway.

Cheers,

Dimitris

Mine hasn't and it's a hell of a scope, imaging or otherwise.

Cosmetatos

Topic starter

Apr 27, 2021

If that one telescope that you mentioned doesn't have a 5cm backfocus then it is very unlikely to be good for astrophotography anyway.

I want to try it on my evoguide 50. With the flattener the distance is less than 40mm

Taddeuccis

Apr 28, 2021

I'm using a Canon EOS M3 and i feel really good about my choice: it is really light (300g) and it has the bulb option, which i use with an intervallometer (not included) and i think my pictures are quite good (go check them out!!!). I have never tried to link it to a pc, but it is a really modern camera, so i'm pretty sure you can, and you can also link your phone with it. Good luck, clear skies from Rome!!!

Astrozeugs

Apr 28, 2021

I vote for a Canon M200 (APS-C) or Canon RP (Fullframe). It works with NINA and APT nativly.

Regards
Andreas

Jonathan C Nicholls

Apr 28, 2021

I use a mirroless lumix dmc gm1 16MP camera but it is a micro 4/3rd cropped sensor although i have never had a problem with that. It has live view, can take 60 seconds exposures and connect to wifi and I can use it with APT or NINA with a lumix driver for remote control
it is very compact and ligand but also has a pretty sensitive sensor with 3.7um pixels

Helpful

Steven

Apr 28, 2021 · Edited: Apr 29, 2021

Cosmetatos:
I want to try it on my evoguide 50. With the flattener the distance is less than 40mm

Depends which flattener you use. The Starizona Evo-FF will allow a mirrorless camera.
But skywatcher's own "Evoguide 50ED Field Flattener" won't even allow for most mirrorless camera's.

But, yes. DSLR's aren't an option then with either one of those.

I used to have a 'Sony A6000", good camera, it has the modes you want. But I haven't used it for astrophotography. Also a quick google search and I'm not sure SharpCap likes that one? The support for mirrorless camera's seems to be quite limited from what I can tell.
A lot of them aren't supported with ascom/sharpcap. And even the manufacturers software is very limited, as they're not really intended for tethered shooting. So you might struggle with that...

Also, I don't know if you're intending on modifying the camera for astrophotography to full spectrum? I did find some guides here and there on some mirrorless models to do that, so that wouldn't be an issue.. but.. linking it up to a PC, for astrophotography, might be.

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dkamen

Apr 29, 2021

andrea tasselli:
I think it is much easier to find a high quality APS-C DSLR at this price range than it a mirrorless. A Canon probably since they are able to stream the live view.

You could also look for a used OSC CMOS astrocamera since they are designed to work with a computer. Normal cameras are better at standalone operation.

If that one telescope that you mentioned doesn't have a 5cm backfocus then it is very unlikely to be good for astrophotography anyway.

Cheers,

Dimitris

Mine hasn't and it's a hell of a scope, imaging or otherwise.

You are right, I admit what I had in mind was those Newts with small backfocus.

Cosmetatos

Topic starter

Apr 29, 2021

Thank you all for your suggestions. It seems that I need to up the budget a notch to get these features with APS-C mirrorless and finding it for c. 200€ will be a struggle.

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andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Apr 29, 2021

Cosmetatos:
Thank you all for your suggestions. It seems that I need to up the budget a notch to get these features with APS-C mirrorless and finding it for c. 200€ will be a struggle.

I am afraid that is a mostly hopeless cause. Neither Nikons nor Canons will be found at that price with the possibility of being used by either NINA or APT. You might be able to find some of the lower offerings but I suspected none will allow the be shot tethered (I have checked quite a lot of them myself) and having Bulb at the same time. Quality-wise your best bet is with Fujifilm below the 200 euro bar.

Pedro J Conesa

Sep 2, 2021

I vote for a Canon M200 (APS-C) or Canon RP (Fullframe). It works with NINA and APT nativly.

Regards
Andreas

Hi @Astrozeugs ,
Have you tried NINA with a M200?

Thanks in advance!

Astrozeugs

Sep 2, 2021

I vote for a Canon M200 (APS-C) or Canon RP (Fullframe). It works with NINA and APT nativly.

Regards
Andreas

Hi @Astrozeugs ,
Have you tried NINA with a M200?

Thanks in advance!

Hi @Pedro José Conesa Sánchez,
have tried it with my RP and Nina. It works. A friend of mine has a M200 and he use it with APT. I think with Nina it will work also.
Regards
Andreas

8472

Sep 2, 2021

The only mirrorless Canons which can be tethered to a pc for astro are the M6 MK2, M50, M50 MK2, M200 and the Full frame models. All of which are waaay over your €200 budget, and into cooled OSC astrocam money.

You might get a used Rebel for that, but I think you need to re-evaluate your expectations of what you can buy a suitably "PC tetherable" mirrorless camera for.

That said, the Lumix option looks interesting, if the ASCOM driver works reliably. These maybe could be obtainable in your price range, but I haven't heard from many users going this route.
If you do go for a Panasonic, I'd love to know how you get on! I'm mulling over this, myself.

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Gernot Schreider

Sep 2, 2021

I can recommend a SONY Alpha 6000. I am using one with SharpCap but also with Sony Edge remote control software
You can get it for a reasonable price and it is a nice camera you can use otherwise.

CS
Gernot