S 007 for Astrophotography?

[Leica Guy]

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I’m considering moving into the S system. Probably starting with an S 007 and perhaps the S 120 lens. 
I enjoy many aspects of photography including wildlife, landscapes, macro, people and occasionally Astro. 

Is the S a suitable camera for astrophotography? It would seem the larger sensor is an advantage assuming a telescope or lens is compatible with the larger image circle. 

My most recent experience was using a Canon 5D3 and 600mm f/4 lens for the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. I was in Wyoming right in the center of the total eclipse track. 

Any insights would be appreciated. These images were taken with the Canon setup. The composite put together in PS. Not Leica images. If it’s not appropriate to post the images, I’m happy to delete them. 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. 
 

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[Stuart Richardson]

Lovely photos. The S007 has some quirks that might not make it ideal. For example, the maximum long exposure is two minutes, and all long exposures require a dark frame. In this context it may not be ideal for your work. The 120mm f2.5 is a outstanding lens even wide open, so it would likely be ideal for astrophotography. It is one of the best lenses I have ever used for any system, if not the best, so you needn't worry about whether it will be suitable for your work.  I have not used the S007, but the S006 has been great for me for night work, I have used it extensively to that end. Even though the maximum exposure is not so long, it maintains excellent image quality if the exposure is long enough for your subject. While it is not the best for things like the aurora, where you need better ISO performance (you need shorter exposures to capture the movement), if you can just let the sensor soak up the light, it puts out superb results. I much preferred the look it gave to that I got from more modern CMOS sensors like the Sony A7Rii and others that I compared it to. By now, however, I would think that the SL2 might be an even better choice than the S007 for what you are looking at doing...

Edited May 28, 2020 by Stuart Richardson

[Leica Guy]

1 hour ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Lovely photos. The S007 has some quirks that might not make it ideal. For example, the maximum long exposure is two minutes, and all long exposures require a dark frame. In this context it may not be ideal for your work. The 120mm f2.5 is a outstanding lens even wide open, so it would likely be ideal for astrophotography. It is one of the best lenses I have ever used for any system, if not the best, so you needn't worry about whether it will be suitable for your work.  I have not used the S007, but the S006 has been great for me for night work, I have used it extensively to that end. Even though the maximum exposure is not so long, it maintains excellent image quality if the exposure is long enough for your subject. While it is not the best for things like the aurora, where you need better ISO performance (you need shorter exposures to capture the movement), if you can just let the sensor soak up the light, it puts out superb results. I much preferred the look it gave to that I got from more modern CMOS sensors like the Sony A7Rii and others that I compared it to. By now, however, I would think that the SL2 might be an even better choice than the S007 for what you are looking at doing...

Thank you Stuart. I have also been considering an SL2 so I will keep analyzing. Really appreciate your insights. Rob in Miami has shown me some outstanding images with the S007 and the 120 lens. Not Astro, but gorgeous landscapes and people photos. The landscapes look 3-D. Spectacular. I’m aware that lens can also be used on an SL2. 

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vor 6 Stunden schrieb Leica Guy:

I’m considering moving into the S system. Probably starting with an S 007 and perhaps the S 120 lens. 
I enjoy many aspects of photography including wildlife, landscapes, macro, people and occasionally Astro. 

Is the S a suitable camera for astrophotography? It would seem the larger sensor is an advantage assuming a telescope or lens is compatible with the larger image circle. 

My most recent experience was using a Canon 5D3 and 600mm f/4 lens for the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. I was in Wyoming right in the center of the total eclipse track. 

Any insights would be appreciated. These images were taken with the Canon setup. The composite put together in PS. Not Leica images. If it’s not appropriate to post the images, I’m happy to delete them. 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. 
 

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If you are planning to adapt the camera to a telescope, the large image circle may indeed be a problem. Most telescopes and focal reducers/coma correctors are suitable for FF only, of course there are exceptions, but always very expensive ones, not to speak of the mount. A 2-inch focuser and t-adapter will not be enough. Then balance may be a problem with heavy cameras. A tilting screen is very useful and I am missing it badly with my Canon EOS 6D - nevertheless still one of the best solutions, reliable, noise-free and capable of taking really long exposures, not to speak of the fact that it can be H-alpha-modified. But you will know that since you are already using a Canon 5D III. For landscape any solution will be good as long as the sensor is noise-free.