Hi all

Does anyone know where I can get a Canon camera astro modified in Ireland?  I checked online and the only places appear to be the US or Baader, and Baader are not cheap.

Paul

I dont know of one in Ireland but found this on Cloudy Nights
www.cloudynights.com/topic/708016-modify...on-in-the-uk-for-ap/

Maybe try Stephen at Ktech Telescopes to see if hed recommend someone

regards
Stephen

Hi Stephen

He no longer accepts orders from the EU.
I am wondering if camera repair shops would do the job.

Paul

The Camera Centre at 56 Grafton St did a good job of cleaning my Canon DSLR sensors; not sure about astro-modding tho.

Finbarr.

There is a thread on Boards about this. Maybe have a look there?

The standard answer to this is astronomiser.co.uk, however his website now says that he can no longer take orders from the EU

Paul.

There is one for sale on Adverts, but the seller does not seem to know what modification was performed, even stating that the h alpha filter was removed from the camera, there is no h alpha filter built into a camera.  I was tempted to put in a bid, but I think I will hold off for the moment.
He mentions the website of where he got the camera modified, it is in Poland and the site is in Polish, Google translate did a job on translating, but I could find no useful information.
I have contacted a number of camera repair sites around the city and none of them perform the modification I am looking after.
There is this site in the US: www.lifepixel.com/  They sell modified cameras or you can send in your own, with the cost of the modification and shipping and insurance and import taxes, the price just goes up.
I will keep looking.

I have modded three canon cameras for my own use over the years. The first was a 500d & the latest two 7d mk1 bodies. You can pick up cheap used bodies on adverts.I wouldn't recommend using an expensive body. If you only want the camera for astrophotography then you only have to remove the ir block filter. The modification is relatively simple, be clean & meticulous, taking photos of everything as you go. Here is a link with some good diy instructions.dslrmodifications.com/#
The best tip I can give is pick up a cheap body to practice on. It's not as difficult as you might think.

Thanks for the reply, Colin.  I have watched numerous videos about the modification, there is one question I have to ask, when putting the camera back together, is there some soldering to be done?  Soldering is not something I can do?

Paul

The two body types I have done required no soldering. The only tools I used were a jeweller's screwdriver set, a torx set, craft knife, & tooth pics. Ribbon cables & lots of tiny screws, but no soldering. The removal & replacement of the sensor is the tricky part, ie. getting the sensor aligned. You won't get it back to factory accuracy but if you're careful you can get it close.
If you decide to go ahead with it I can give you more specific advice on the various steps.

Thanks Colin, I will keep that in mind.

I was checking out the Baader website, they offer a camera conversion service, I went through the checkout, not with the intent to buy immediately, just to see what the final cost would be.  It appears they do not deal with orders from Ireland because there is no Baader dealer in Ireland.  I thought with the company being in Germany, and we are all one big, happy European family that we all deal with one another, it appears that I am wrong.
Telescope service offer the modification, but they charge €299 to just remove the IR filter, €399 to add a Baader filter.  €400 for a camera that costs €100!
If I want to get this done professionally I am left with no choice but to send it to the US.  They charge $275 for a full H Alpha conversion, that works out at €230, add another €50 or so for import fees and that is still a saving of about €120.

Paul

Hi Paul,

I have a 300d modified by Dave Grennan which is surplus to requirements.
I can't remember what mod he did.
I have two batteries, a charger and a grip (holds the two batteries).
There are two caviats, 1) It will not achieve focus with lenses and 2) I don't believe it will connect to a PC as the firmware is too old.

If you want it it's yours,

Michael.

Thanks, Michael.  I will keep that in mind.