Comet 'Lemmon' last night (PICS)

mikeyL wrote:

Marco,

REALLY impressive images and a great write-up! I use dedicated astro cameras but I still really like to see Canon continuing to support astrophotographers with specialized bodies with less filtering that interferes with the wavelengths of emission nebulae.

Thank you MikeyL. I'm still exploring the camera and have only taken it out of the house 5 times.  The first time was for 'street testing' to see if the daylight colors could be dealt with and 4 times at night to test different lenses under the Milky Way.  Each time I was out it was for about an hour and a half.  This was enough for me to review the EOS Ra for the purpose it was sold and purchased.  But I am yet to spend enough time with the RF 85mm f/1.2L lens and that's a very impressive lens so far.  I'm just waiting for a cabinet to be delivered so I can put all my gear behind glass and clear some space in my home office for some product photography tests. Then I intend to spend some time near the ocean with this lens.  But for Astro it is an absolute gem so far. 
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The image quality of the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is very impressive to me.  I've been shooting with the original EF 85mm f/1.2L II version of this lens for years and I just can't believe the AF reliability and image quality (specifically clarity) this RF ens is producing.  I know the RF lens is very expensive, but for those who can justify using it will be rewarded.  I had to give up my cherished EF 85mmL version but I don't have to many regrets.  I look forward to obtaining another R body after learn more about the upcoming R6.  Since DSLRs never needed IBIS to take great pictures, and because IBIS is useless for long exposure astrophotography, the Ra is just fine as it is. But I think Canon knows a lot of their reputation is riding on the R5/R6 so I'm expecting good things.  If it meets my needs for terrestrial photography, I will certainly consider one. But I do like the EOS R.  I could easily use a non-modded (Standard EOS R)  body and enjoy the results and it does look like I'll eventually need a well-featured body for my own use.  The weather seals and protective sensor-shutter are two things I admire on the Ra and R.  Not sure I'd buy an R6 if those were lacking.

Fun to see so many objects in your widefield Milky way image, with the Lagoon and Trifid nebulas and also the Rho Ophiuchi complex so prominently represented. You obviously have some dark skies where you are imaging from. The comet shots are equally impressive, and amazing to realize you are seeing the comet core on the LiveView display - that's mid blowing!

There's so much up there to see.  The last 5 comets I photographed with the EOS Ra and also the EOS M6 (APS-C) and EOS 6D (DSLR) cameras both showed the comet cores with a bright green halo around them on the LCD screens.  Sometimes you can even see the direction of the comet tail on the LCD if your ISO is high enough (usually around ISO 5000).

I now have a new respect for Canon's latest astro body the Ra, after your excellent write-up and fantastic sample images. Thanks for sharing. This might just be the ultimate nightscape shooting camera. I am currently about to switch over to an R5 from my trusty 5DSr, but having a second body for nightscape imaging could be a real benefit.

I'm done editing and posting the shots I've already taken of the Milky Way but I do need to try some shots of Andromeda and the Orion Nebula when they become visible in my Southern Skies again in a few months.  Since my posts may be of interest to folks here, I'll put a bit more effort into the next night I head out (when Orion and Andromeda come out in September).  I do dread those bitterly cold nights out though.  Especially in the mountains where the air is much clearer.  I live in the outer suburbs of Sydney and there's so much light pollution here that I can see it from two hours drive away.

Thanks so much for sharing these, and for taking the time to give such a detailed report on the camera. Good to also see how well the 135 f/2 is performing. I will have to keep an eye on that as well.

That EF 135mm f/2L lens is a gem on just about every camera I've used it on.  It's not the best Astrophotography lens when used wide open at f/2 but it does capture things my other lenses couldn't.  My longer lenses have smaller apertures and my wider lenses don't have enough focal length... for things like comets.