You can just buy a Pentax DSLR which has a internally-moving sensor, and then buy the Pentax GPS unit that acts as an astro-tracker. Then the sensor moves with the stars according to GPS coordinates.
Also, if you're looking just for better image quality, a DSLR isn't anything special. It's just a camera with a mirror. You can get any APS-C or larger-frame sensor nowadays that aren't DSLRs.
Re:DIY Exoplanet Detection with a DSLR
by paulornothing on Tuesday December 02, 2014 @09:18AM
(#8687170)
You mean something like the mirror less offerings that Samsung and Sony have?
The precision of motion of a stepper motor is several magnitudes higher than a simple DC motor. For a project that needs weeks to execute I wouldn't save the few bucks for a micro.
> precision of motion of a stepper motor is several magnitudes higher than a simple DC motor
Depends on whether we're talking about open-loop control or closed-loop control. A stepper motor can only move in half-jumps or full-jumps. The size of the jump is intrinsic to the motor, and can be reduced with a gearbox. If we're doing closed-loop control of a DC motor, the resolution is limited by the feedback encoder, which typically has a resolution a magnitude or two higher than a stepper motor's.
I suppose the micro-controller is nice, but if you only need one speed why bother.
Now I just need to get a DSLR instead of my Canon AE-1 Program.