Modding a Canon EOS 300D

[MarkS]

Does anyone know where can I get a replacement IR filter for my Canon EOS 300D?  I've become increasingly frustrated over the lack of H-alpha sensitivity and so I've decided to go down the DIY modding route ...

[Ian]

no, but good luck

If you want to borrow my large hammer let me know. I doubt you'll need a blowtorch.

Unless something needs cleaning, of course.

[Mike]

Ooh sounds risky. Fingers crossed.

[Ian]

Mike,

have you ever tried to do delicate technical things with crossed fingers? I tried once, I flicked the screwdriver right across the room...

[mickw]

Is this what you're looking for ?
Astronomik clip filters
http://www.modernastronomy.com/
http://www.modernastronomy.com/filtersAstronomik.htm#aCls

Various filters to fit EOS.

[Fay]

Mark,

//www.maxmax.com/aXNiteFilters.htm

I think filter CC1.

This info is given on the Astronomiser site.

[Fay]

Sorry Mark but the CC1 filter is the one to make the camera work normally after a mod.

[MarkS]

Thanks Mick but unfortunately they're not the filters I'm after.  It's the internal IR filter in front of the CCD that I want to replace and it requires disassembly of half the camera (with or without my fingers crossed!) to get at it.

I've now found 2 potential suppliers of the required Baader replacement filter:
David Hinds (Celestron UK)
Telescope Service (Germany)

But the item is on back order at both suppliers.  Probably available in 1-2 weeks.

So put some observing sessions in your diary - whilst my camera is out of action there'll be guaranteed clear skies with  perfect seeing and transparency.

[JohnP]

Mark - for some reason I have Edmund Scientific or Edmund Optical in my head.... don't know if either of these can help?

John

[MarkS]

Thanks John

I gave up waiting for the Baader replacement IR filter so I ordered some plain glass from Edmund Optics.  It arrived today (I ordered it only yesterday), so tonight I modded my EOS300:

Partway through the procedure:



The sensor is now exposed:



The sensor removed:



The Edmunds optics glass now had to be cut to size to replace the Canon glass

Procedure completed.  First (infra-red) light from the TV remote control!



All in all it took 3.5 hours.  Now I just need another clear night to do the Dumbbell Nebula again - this time in glorious Hydrogen Alpha ...

[JohnP]

Wow Mark - I'm very impressed - no messing.  3.5hrs is very impressive especially seeing its your first time to do it... What was the Baader filter going to offer?? How did you cut the glass to size?

John

[Fay]

Mark, you are very clever to have done that mod, just like that.

I went outside with mine, again, last night, but  I have not got what I would call a normal looking image yet, as the sky is so light. They are very light pink, at 30secs @ ISO 400. There were a lot of thin white clouds going past all the time as well. I tried different ISO's & exposure times, but think I will have to wait until it gets a bit darker.

Fay 

[MarkS]

John,

Once I removed the old IR cut filter I used a glazier's glass scoring tool to score and break the new glass to the same size. 

All the instructions are on this site: http://ghonis2.ho8.com/rebelmod.html

The filter that Baader provide (already cut to size!) is a UV/IR cut filter.  Since I used glass instead, I'll now have to use an external IR cut filter or a CLS filter.

However it does mean that I can use the camera for IR photography now (if I get an IR pass filter).

Mark

[MarkS]

Fay,

Do you know what they replaced your filter with?  Is it another IR filter or just plain glass?

Mark

[Ian]

Nice one Mark. I see on the last photo you hadn't cleared away the most important tool when pulling the guts out of sensitive electronic equipment...