it's good to see you again 🙂

Nice to see you again Ian! Always enjoy your reviews

Very nice to see you both again it has been way too long. I love the pano at the end it was a jaw dropping image. Stay safe

Awesome video! And wow such a beautiful shot you got with the road and Orion! So good!

Good to see you back. Keep up. Keep safe

that pano was AMAZING. great review

Really great Video Ian. Nice to see you and Diana back in the field again!

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bert!

This was magical

Kudos to you both for enduring such a clearly very cold night of shooting. And such stunning results.

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dan!

Nice to see you back again pal!

After long time sir .... Happy to see your video again sir ❤️❤️

Great content as always. Thanks

Missed your video's man! Awesome review!

Heck yeah! Lovely video, thanks!!!

Very referencing video and it motivated me to do astrophotography again tonight

He’s back!!!!!

Great Vlog, well done, I'm a canon user, you have given me great faith in the product

Welcome back

Welcome back! Glad to see your content again. Can you take normal photos with the Eos Ra?

I’ve had my EOS Ra for almost a year now and I love it. I use it mostly with my Redcat 51 on my Star Watcher Sky adventurer. I have the Optalong L extreme 2” filter on order to do Orion from my back yard.

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a killer setup!

@billvinson7859

3 жыл бұрын

@@LonelySpeck It is. I’m looking to get a bigger mount next year to get more accurate tracking.

Hey Ian, glad to see you both out and about again!! I think both cameras are great. FYI (and for anyone else interested), I got an A7s full spectrum modified by Spencer's Camera and use an STC Multispectral filter clip on (similar to TRIAD by OPT) for astro. It works quite well although I use a heavy tripod (an old Bogen) so it's not very portable. The key thing is focus. Since there's no 180 degree flip screen, your clear Bahtinov filter helps a great deal!! I was also interested in the Ra but went for a full spectrum modification of an Eos R instead as I wanted flexibility to do daytime, IR, and astro. No 30x magnification, but that works real well especially on a small refractor like the RedCat or SpaceCat. The flip screen is the real comfort feature. Portable wise the RF35/2 and new RF 85/2 are light and much cheaper than the larger, MUCH HEAVIER, aperture variants . For both cameras I use a hot miror (UV-IR) filter for any daytime photography. Lens filters are fine but clip filters are becoming available for this as well by Astronomik and STC. Depends on one's budget but full spectrum modification of an A7S Mark 1 is really awesome and the STC filter works well for astro. Canon is a bit more challenging. There are currently no UV/IR or narrowband Canon OEM drop in filters for the RF EF adaptor but Spencer's offers some with 3d printed shell which work fine, although I have to be careful inserting and removing the 3d printed one. If you have great wide angle EF lenses, they work great with this adapter!! I've used the 24-105 and 17-40 without issue. Astronomik also offers UV/IR, LP, and narrowband clip filters now. Pricey but helps with portabilty and can be used with the less expensive RF EF adapter if you have EF glass. Keep up the great work!

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

You're making the idea of full spectrum modding my a7S even more enticing. Do you exclusively use the drop in filters? That's seem more attractive than having to use filters on the front of the lens.

@IpsissimusPrime

3 жыл бұрын

@@LonelySpeck The clip filter from STC for the A7s is amazing. You have to play with it due to its light blocking ability but all thats needed is a custom WB preset in camera and you're good to go. I'm thinking of getting a clip filter for my modded Eos R. maybe a thin range H alpha, but only because that has a variable flip screen. The drop ins for the Canon RF adapter system are only available through Spencer's as far as I know. I wish other vendors would get into it, especially Canon. Even a UV-IR from them would be welcome because of the metal casing on the OEM clear, polarized, and ND they currently offer. It is more stuff to carry but the expanded ability of the EF lenses with the adapters sold me and like I said the EF lenses show improved performance. In any case, go ahead and get a full spectrum mod for your A7s. You'll have three cameras in one, and despite the limited angle screen function, that model rocks. I got mine as a result of your review BTW LOL

Great video. Maybe a daft question but what filters were you using in the video? Light pollution filter?

One of the best areas in Illinois for astro. I just discovered it this past summer.

@AI-00000

3 жыл бұрын

Where

literally in my back yard..... well, maybe about ten mile southeast to be exact. Green River is a cool area, but I normally stay a little north of there in the Nuchusa/Franklin Grove area to get away from the light pollution along the southern horizon. You don't totally get away from it, but there is quite a noticeable difference about 20 miles north of Green River. Great video and great shots, given the conditions you guys had out there.

@LonelySpeck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips! I've also found that Green River is terrible in the summer... too many bugs! If you're down for it, I'd love to be able to meet up some time to shoot astrophotos with someone more familiar with the area since I still like to think I'm new to Illinois. If you're interested, shoot me an email: lonelyspeck.com/contact

Good review of features and their benefits. Quick suggestion, when imaging outside at night it is better to switch to red light headlamps as it doesn't affect night vision as much. Cheers.

We miss you Ian!

Awesome, what a colors. really loved it. Stay safe\o/

Welcome back! Ra seems a nice camera but imho it has two big flaws right now: - Lack of dedicated lenses, the RF are great but too damn expansive, I wish there were more 3rd party options available. - The camera itself is too damn expansive compared to the R, simply putting a different filter on the sensor compared to the stock one is something that in no way can even remotely justify the extra price. In Italy (but as I've seen on B&H it seems to be pretty much the same everywhere) you can get the R for 1700€ or even less, the Ra is 2799€ MINIMUM and pretty much impossible to find online! It's crazy because you can have your DLSR modified by professional with a Baader filter for less than 300€, and they will actually have to disassemble your camera (which, for those who don't know, is a time consuming and not easy task) while Canon just has to put a different filter in during the assembly... For that price they should sell an R6a, not an R.

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, there is certainly the downside of the price and I think modifying a camera is a viable alternative and those that can't afford the Ra will certainly prefer that route. I personally feel that the RF mount isn't too limited. Prices are very slightly higher than EF equivalents, but not out of the realm of unreasonableness. Everyone scoffed at Sony for releasing a $1000 55mm f/1.8 when the FE mount was new and that lens is still considered one of the best primes for any system. There are already almost 50 RF mount lens options from Canon and third parties and that's not including the ability to adapt EF mount lenses easily. Ultimately, I think all of the initial barriers of the RF system will start to come down in a year or two.

6:37. In image of RA Orion Nebula is looking soo clear and beautiful....🔥🔥🔥😊😌😌

That was awesome to go through your experience. Tell please, is there any negative impact on gear by frost?

@LonelySpeck

Жыл бұрын

There was no issue this time, but yes, enough condensation can short electronics. Ideally, I should have used a dew heater.

Amazing pics nice review. I wonder how easy it is to mod the RP to remove the filter to be able to essentially get close to the same results. I've done this before easily with Canon DSLR's in the past. No way I would pay how much they want in the UK for an Canon Ra. £2,579.00 about 3,442.19 US $ a bit more and I could get a grey Canon R5 with 3 yr warranty.

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

Kolari does an RP conversion for about $350 I think. A little more expensive than their DSLRs. I wonder if the disassembly is more difficult on the R cameras.

Thanks for the video, you just answer my Question," does your 100mm Starpstar fit Wine Country's 100mm filter holder

Amazing, more revire on the camera pls

What light pollution filter do you use?

1:47 what app are you using? Love your videos, as someone who is just starting out with astrophotography, it helps me a lot .

Hey! I just moved to Chicago from Washington state and felt pretty disappointed seeing how polluted the skies are. What location would you recommend for darker skies? You mentioned you are only 2 hours away from Chicago, so I'm curious.

Fantastic review Ian, I have both the Sony A7s and mk1 version of the canon 6D and I am thinking of changing up to the Ra. It was nice to see a real world comparison between the Ra and A7s. Keep up the great work, and if you are ever back in the northeast of Scotland then we will have to meet up 👍✨

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a deal. We loved our short time in Scotland a couple years ago. We'll definitely return.

@XDR2201

3 жыл бұрын

I would recommend you to do an astromodification on your A7S. It’s one of the best camera to be modified. Canon Ra is so overpriced.

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

@@XDR2201 I'm considering it!

@XDR2201

3 жыл бұрын

@@LonelySpeck You’re not gonna be disappointed. Anyway Thank you Ian. Your awesome review made me get an A7iii. And I’m about to send it to JTW Astronomy to do an H-alpha modification. I think in the USA. You have Spencers Camera and Kolari Vision that can do modification.

@whiteskyphotographics3033

3 жыл бұрын

@@LonelySpeck you are more than welcome as we stay only 45 minutes away from Scotland's second official Dark sky Park in the Cairngorm mountains. Once the world gets back to some sort of normality lol

Did Sony ever get the issue with the star-killer resolved? You use to suggest the a7sii and then turned that suggestion upside down and seemed to be working hard to get Sony to fix the problem.... Did you manage?

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

Nope. Sonys still eat stars under certain conditions. I've never suggested the a7SII... just the original a7S, which does not have the issue unless in Bulb mode. The a7SII has the issue for any exposure over 3.2 seconds and is not recommended. Sony has been silent for years on the issue and I've decided it's not worth pursuing any further.

Hey did you see Nebula Photos vlog on peripheral color halos with Ra? I wonder if more folks will vlog about that? Following up on our prio clip filters chat, the Astronomik CLS CCD filter is geared toward modified units and is more reasonably priced than narrowband ones. They make one for Sony A7 series, but since I have a modded R I just ordered the R Clip. Recently got an RF 85 f2 and am eager to see if it's my next portable setup. Astronomiks OWB 3 seems like another possibility but doesn't seem to be readily available in US. You could get from their site though if you wanted. Cheers!

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

I'm just learning about that issue with the color halo 'bloat' from some of the responses on my blog/video and looking back at the shots I made, there's definitely some of the issue present on bright stars to the outside of the frame, which I never noticed before. Probably something that is more of a problem for deep sky, which is unfortunate for this body. Ultimately, shooting with the Ra has made we wonder about converting my a7S...

@IpsissimusPrime

3 жыл бұрын

@@LonelySpeck I suspect its a production issue with the H-alpha filter/film Canon is using on the sensor. Much less likely to be fixable by firmware update. Might be a big recall. If and when you decide to convert your A7s, I recommend doing it to full spectrum because its just a clear filter over the sensor after UV-IR removal. Then you can add, hot, narrowband and IR as you like/need.

@IpsissimusPrime

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Ian, Nico sent me a link on this issue with the Ra from Cloudy Nights forum that I thought I’d share: www.cloudynights.com/topic/712122-canon-eos-ra-star-problems/page-16#entry10379127 I haven’t tested my FS Eos R yet because of time constraints but hope to do so before year ends. It seems thought that a full spectrum modification may be best way to go, unless you already have an Ra. The Astronomik L2 UV-IR would then be the solution for those folks with an Ra. I’m going to test my STC multispectral for my A7s as well. I’ve been doing only nightscapes with it. May be awhile but I’ll keep you posted.

Can you tell a lot of tradeoffs when using the Ra for non-Astro photography?

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

None really. Shoots like a normal camera.

do you have a link for the sharp star 2?

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

lonelyspeck.com/sharpstar

If only the R6 was setup like the Ra for astrophotography! As it is, it feels like a tough choice for those of us that can only afford one camera and need it to do everything.

Ra is KILLER!! Good to see you back on KZread!

What are your thoughts on the Ra vs an astro modified Sony A7iii?

@LonelySpeck

3 жыл бұрын

I think either are viable. The Ra has better ergonomics overall for astro (fully articulating touch screen) and a bit more resolution.

@v0ldy54

3 жыл бұрын

A7III isn't that great for serious astro, it still has noise reduction algorithms that ruin star colors which you can't turn off.