To the stars - The Canon EOS 60Da
The EOS 60Da was specially designed for astrophotography - it has a particularly high sensitivity to infrared light and produces high-resolution, low-noise images. Its intuitive operating concept features a swivel and tilt 7.7cm (3.0 inch) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen for easy control of exposures when mounted on a telescope or tripod. The EOS 60Da can also be controlled from a PC or Mac using the included EOS Utility software.
Sees infrared light
The optical low-pass filter in the EOS 60Da has been modified so that it allows Há light (Hydrogen-alpha) to pass through. This is sometimes the brightest light available in astrophotography, and allows exposures of infrared phenomena such as diffuse nebulae.
As compared to the EOS 60D, the modified optical low-pass filter in the EOS 60Da increases sensitivity to infrared light at 656nm by a factor of about three. That is 1.5 times more than the previous astrophotography model DSLR - the EOS 20Da.
The EOS Advantage
Only Canon performs all the manufacturing steps, from design to implementation, for its CMOS sensors itself. Each photodiode on the surface of the sensor has its own micro-lens and a separate signal amplifier, making the camera extremely efficient in low light. This technology allow the EOS 60Da to take exposures at an ISO sensitivity of 6,400 (extendable to 12,800) - and allows shorter exposure times and a faster workflow.
The 18 megapixel CMOS sensor works together with Canon's DIGIC 4 processor. Here, the processor is responsible for every aspect of image processing, including the conversion of the raw data from the sensor to RAW or JPEG images.
The 14-bit image processing delivers tremendous colour depth with fine colour gradations and excellent dynamic range. The DIGIC 4 image processor also reduces image noise when shooting at high ISO settings and long exposures.
Remote control of the camera and time-lapse photography
EOS Utility software comes included with every EOS camera. Using this, the camera can be operated from a PC or Mac - including Live View Control and tethered shooting.
For this, the camera must be connected to the computer via USB cable: you then have control via the computer screen for composing perfect images, triggering the camera, image transfer to your computer and of course access to all camera settings. Modern exposure techniques, such as time-lapse photography, can also be controlled by this program.
Live View focusing
Using an optical viewfinder to focus in dimly lit conditions is extremely difficult. This is much easier to achieve using the Live View feature of the camera. Even using 5X or 10X magnification on the screen, the display is crisp and sharp - particularly important in this case.
The 7.7cm (3.0-inch), swivel and tilt Clear View LCD display can be swiveled by 180° and rotated by 270°. So you can virtually always easily see the display, regardless of the orientation of the camera.
TC-80N3 remote controller
So that the camera is also compatible with your existing equipment, an RA-E3 adapter is included in delivery for connection to an optional N3 remote control. The Canon TC-80N3 cable release with timer allows long exposure times and interval timing from 1 second to 23 hours 59 minutes, and so is ideal for time-lapse photography.
The advantages in a nutshell:
- higher sensitivity to infrared light
- APS-C CMOS 18 megapixel sensor
- Swivel and tilt 7.7cm (3.0 inch) Clear View LCD, 3:2 aspect ratio
- ISO 100-6400, extendable to ISO 12800
- time-lapse photography with EOS Utility software or optional TC-80N3 remote
