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| The EOS Ra. |
Canon has just officially unveiled the new EOS Ra, its first
mirrorless interchangeable lens camera designed specifically for
astrophotography. This news comes on the heels of a flurry of rumors
coming from various tech websites, including Canonrumors, Tech Radar,
and Digital Camera World.
Like its previous dSLR models made specifically for astrophotography, the EOS 20Da and EOS 60Da (along with Nikon's D810A), the EOS Ra is largely the same as the model upon which it is based: the full-frame EOS R. However, Canon was very careful to include some tweaks that will be sure to make any serious astrophotographer very, very happy.
Like its previous dSLR models made specifically for astrophotography, the EOS 20Da and EOS 60Da (along with Nikon's D810A), the EOS Ra is largely the same as the model upon which it is based: the full-frame EOS R. However, Canon was very careful to include some tweaks that will be sure to make any serious astrophotographer very, very happy.
First up: there's the sensor or, more
specifically, the infrared (IR) cut filter that is in front of it.
According to Canon, the EOS Ra’s IR cutting filter is modified to
permit approximately 4x as much transmission of hydrogen alpha rays
at the 656nm wavelength as compared to a standard EOS R. This will
allow for deep red infrared rays emitted by nebulae to be recorded on
the camera's sensor. Without this modification, reds from deep sky
objects would appear as various shades of pink or even light purple.
Another modification sure to get people excited is the live view mode of the EOS Ra, which allows the user to zoom in up to 30x magnification on the LCD or in the viewfinder in order to ensure easy focusing on stars. This is a dramatic boost of the 10x magnification offered with the standard EOS R, which may not always be sufficient to ensure perfectly focused stars. Needless to say, the days of dragging a laptop out to the telescope and using focus assist software are numbered for anyone using the EOS Ra.
Other than these two changes, the EOS Ra is essentially the same as its standard cousin.
Want one? Well, they're available for preorder at Adorama, as a body-only kit priced at $2,499 (a $700 price premium over the standard EOS R). Unfortunately, no availability has yet been announced but my advice is to preorder yours now as the line is sure to be a long one and the Ebay profiteers are sure to be ordering already so they can gouge you when the camera sells out at reputable dealers.
Another modification sure to get people excited is the live view mode of the EOS Ra, which allows the user to zoom in up to 30x magnification on the LCD or in the viewfinder in order to ensure easy focusing on stars. This is a dramatic boost of the 10x magnification offered with the standard EOS R, which may not always be sufficient to ensure perfectly focused stars. Needless to say, the days of dragging a laptop out to the telescope and using focus assist software are numbered for anyone using the EOS Ra.
Other than these two changes, the EOS Ra is essentially the same as its standard cousin.
Want one? Well, they're available for preorder at Adorama, as a body-only kit priced at $2,499 (a $700 price premium over the standard EOS R). Unfortunately, no availability has yet been announced but my advice is to preorder yours now as the line is sure to be a long one and the Ebay profiteers are sure to be ordering already so they can gouge you when the camera sells out at reputable dealers.
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