[tohax]

I don't understand, why canon patents this feature, while pentax already has it on the market?

Canon patent - Automatic tracking of celestial objects « NEW CAMERA

[parsons]

Is The difference that the Pentax one is a module adde to the camera rather than an in camera capability?

[falconeye]

I don't understand, why canon patents this feature, while pentax already has it on the market?

Canon patent - Automatic tracking of celestial objects « NEW CAMERA

The Canon patent describes a different approach (and Canon filed the patent before Pentax published their product, so one would have to check who filed their patent first).

Pentax uses GPS, compass and level data to register the earth's axis position. Which btw is reported to not always work to full satisfaction.

Canon does a first shot and finds and analyzes the curved star trails to register the earth's axis position.

OTOH, the Canon patent assumes sensor shift SR which Canon doesn't have in their cameras. Is Canon jumping ship to sensor shift?

[jogiba]

Canon has launched the EOS 60Da, a variant of its 60D DSLR tuned for astrophotography. The camera features a re-worked infra-red filter leaving the camera more sensitive to a specific emission frequency (656nm) of hydrogen, key to capturing images of features such as nebulae (gas clouds) in space. The 18MP camera continues where 2005's 8MP EOS 20Da left off. It will be available from a limited number of authorized dealers at a price of around $1499.00/£1174.99.

Canon launches EOS 60Da DSLR for astrophotography: Digital Photography Review



Add the new Canon sensor to the 60Da and it will be interesting.

[Gimbal]

Canon does a first shot and finds and analyzes the curved star trails to register the earth's axis position.

I suggested this a couple of days before the o-gps1 was announced, and it's probably a better solution then relaying on a number of sensors and then shooting blindly. I was hoping Pentax would add this as a "fine calibration" option but as it turns out being a Canon patent that will probably never happen.

Unless they can strike a deal with Canon and get to use the patent in exchange for some sensor shift patent...

[pingflood]

Canon launches EOS 60Da DSLR for astrophotography: Digital Photography Review



Add the new Canon sensor to the 60Da and it will be interesting.

You think someone buying a 60Da will not have a dedicated tracking mount for it?

[Gimbal]

The Canon patent describes a different approach (and Canon filed the patent before Pentax published their product, so one would have to check who filed their patent first).

It seems Canon filed the patent 2010/10/28 and Pentax, or actually Hoya filed their patent 2009/10/22. But Canons illustration seem to allow for a lot more rotation of the sensor and I'm guessing that if it ever will be realized it will be better then the O-GPS1.

Hoya patent:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=Va7OAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA19&dq=astrophotography&hl...graphy&f=false

[falconeye]

It seems Canon filed the patent 2010/10/28 and Pentax, or actually Hoya filed their patent 2009/10/22. But Canons illustration seem to allow for a lot more rotation of the sensor and I'm guessing that if it ever will be realized it will be better then the O-GPS1.

Hoya patent:
Patent US20100103251 - DIGITAL CAMERA HAVING AN IMAGE MOVER - Google Patents

Thanks

[barondla]

Why bother? True astrophotographers use liquid cooled sensors that make a Canon 60D look pretty bad. They also take exposures that are hours in length. Not a specialty of our DSLRs due to heat and image noise.
thanks
barondla

[Gimbal]

That's the spirit, someone else always have better stuff so why bother doing anything.

[barondla]

Yeah, I would buy the much better stuff if it was the same price. Wouldn't you? Why work on improving square wheels when round are so much better? DSLRs are pretty poor for astrophotography. About like using an Iphone for sports photography.
thanks
barondla