Sale: New modified refurbished Canon XS (1000D) including "EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Lens" - $775 Click Here for Details
Sale: New modified refurbished Canon XSi (450D) "Body Only" - $825
Sale: New modified refurbished Canon XSi (450D) including "EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Lens" - $875
Sale: New modified "FULL SPECTRUM" refurbished Canon XS (1000D) including "EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS Lens" - $850 Click Here for Details
For availability and lower priced options, please email me.
Modification Service: I will convert your Canon XSi (450D), XS (1000D) or T1i (500D) for astro or infrared imaging for a fee of $190 plus $20 return shipping, UPS ground insured. Orders accepted within continental United States only. Also selling new modified Canon 450D and 1000D refurbished cameras, both "body only" and "with Image Stabilizer 18-55mm lens".
Service Procedure:
Step 1. To initiate an order, send me an email at :
In the email tell me which camera you will be sending and the type of modification preferred along with your full shipping address. The two types of modification are:
In the email, let me know if you will also be providing the replacement filter or optical glass to me for the modification. As an alternative, I can provide a Baader UV/IR replacement filter for an additional $90.
Step 2. I will reply to your email with instructions for how, where and when to ship the camera and any replacement filter or glass. A replacement filter or clear glass can be purchased directly from these recommended dealers:
Baader UV/IR filter: Alpine Astro - Part Number FBCF-400D, Baader DSLR BCF Filter, rectangular (unmounted) Astro Conversion Filter, for Canon EOS 400XTi (400D, 40D, 450D, 500D, 50D, 1000D/Rebel XS).
Clear Glass: Life Pixel - Canon clear hot mirror replacement filter, SKU: CCLR-Be sure to select filter for Canon Rebel XSi (450D). This filter will fit the Canon XS (1000D) and T1i (500D) as well. Note: I am planning to offer a lower cost clear glass replacement soon.
Step 3. Payment of $190 plus $20 shipping is required before I begin the modification. An additional $90 is required if I will be providing the Baader UV/IR filter. You can include a personal check, money order or bank check with your camera shipment. Please allow up to five business days for personal checks to clear. If you prefer to pay by credit card, I will email an invoice to you for making payment using PayPal. Upon receipt I will inspect and test the camera as shipped and send an email to you with the expected completion date, usually within three business days.
Step 4. I will send you a notification by email when your camera modification is completed along with test results and shipping information.
Frequent questions:
Q. Which type of modification is best?
A. The type of modification depends on how you plan to use the modified camera. Each type has its advantages.
The Baader UV/IR filter replacement is a much milder UV-IR-Cut filter than the original Canon IR Cut filter and it allows the H-Alpha wavelength to pass for deep sky. It also blocks higher infrared wavelengths that cause poor focus and bloated stars with refractor telescopes and camera lenses. Because the Baader replacement filter is the same thickness as the original Canon IR cut filter, the camera's autofocus feature and optical viewfinder will continue to work as in the original un-modified camera. The camera's custom white balance feature can be used to correct color balance or an external color correcting filter can be used.
If a clear glass replacement is done, a UV/IR filter will need to be used in the optical train outside of the camera body if imaging with refractor telescopes and camera lenses. If the clear glass replacement is the same thickness as the original Canon IR cut filter, the camera's autofocus feature and optical viewfinder will continue to work as in the original un-modified camera. The camera's custom white balance feature can be used to correct color balance or an external color correcting filter can be used.
If the original Canon IR Cut filter is removed and replaced with nothing, the camera's autofocus and optical viewfinder will not work. Since the 450D and 1000D have the live view focusing feature, using it instead would work well for astro imaging using a telescope. Some camera lenses may not be able to focus at infinity for astro imaging.
If you have questions on which type of modification may be best for you, send me an email.
Q. What happens to the Canon Warranty?
A. Opening the camera for the modification will void your Canon Warranty. I have no way of being certain that the camera you send to me has been previously altered and I will accept only unmodified cameras. If it is clearly found during inspection of the camera you send that the camera has been previously opened, is malfunctioning or damaged; it will be immediately returned without modification and the $20 shipping cost will be retained.
I do not accept cameras for repair service.
When I receive your camera I will test its functions before beginning any modification and also afterward. Be assured that I want your camera to work well after the modification and I will correct any problems that should occur as a result of the modification for a 60 day period after you receive the modified camera.
Precautions are taken during the modification process to avoid dust particles. Very minor dust motes may occur on the modified camera and these can be removed completely by using flat fields. These are usually due to coating imperfections of the Baader DSLR UV/IR filter. For normal daytime photos, if they are noticeable, they can be completely removed using the "dust delete data" function of the 450D and 1000D. The filter designated by Canon as the "Low-pass 1" filter will be left in the camera unaltered. It is an anti-aliasing filter that Canon is using as a dust cleaning surface and is explained on Canon's web site as follows:
"Self Cleaning Sensor Unit - A key element of minimizing dust is preventing it from clinging to the front surface of the imaging sensor. To combat against this, the EOS Rebel (XSi) features a Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. The low-pass filter at the front of the sensor shakes off dust automatically with ultrasonic vibrations, removing dust from the sensor assembly. The EOS Rebel XSi has a new coating on the front surface of the low-pass filter, to increase its resistance to dust sticking to the sensor."
When you place the modification order you will be agreeing to this: See Disclaimer
Q. How long will it take to complete the modification and return the camera?
A. As an avid astro imager, I understand your need to have your camera returned as soon as possible. As per the Service Procedure steps listed above, I will not ask you to ship your camera to me for modification or pay for the modification service until I am ready to begin and complete its conversion in short order. The usual completion time for the modification is within three business days from receipt of your camera. My modification service may be closed during certain New Moon periods.
Support Group:
Please contact me directly concerning any questions relating to the DSLR modification service I perform. Another way to obtain modification information is to join the DSLR Modifications yahoo group. This group is place where you can ask questions about DSLR modifications and share your ideas and experiences if you have modified your camera. As moderator of the group I will be available to answer any questions on my DSLR modification service or online modification instructions. The group is open to everyone.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSLRmodifications/
About Me:
I am a graduate of Penn State University with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. I am licensed as a Professional Engineer and have over 33 years experience as an Electronic Engineer in the Telecommunications Industry as an employee of a United States Government Federal Agency. I have been modifying Canon DSLR cameras since 2004 and have been providing detailed modification instructions online since then to assist others wanting to modify their cameras. I have been involved in astrophotography and astro imaging since 1989. My images have been published in Sky & Telescope Magazine, AstroPhoto Insight Magazine and "Digital Photography". I am also a member of the International Dark Sky Association and have been actively involved in light pollution reduction efforts for over 20 years.
The camera owners below have provided feedback on my modification service and have allowed their comments to be posted. Many thanks to all:
Dear Gary,
One word sums it all up: Excellent! Excellent service, excellent turn around time, excellent equipment, excellent help and advice. And with all of that I’m taking fantastic photographs. So maybe two words: Excellent and Fantastic!!
The entire process was very fast and very easy to deal with. Not only did you give me advice on what to purchase but you handled everything for me. All I had to do was wait for the finished product to arrive and then start taking photos. Your services didn’t end there either – you gave me a lot of invaluable advice on how to use the modified camera. The Astrophotos that I’m taking now far surpass what I was taking before I bought the modified camera and before you shared your valuable knowledge.
I’ve attached 4 photos for you to see and share on your web site if you’d like. They were all taken on my back deck during November, 2009.
I am very happy and very fortunate to have found your web site!
Happily yours, Mark Guinn Fowler, Michigan
............................................
"Hi Gary,
I wanted to let you know how happy I am with the modification you did to my Canon 1000D. I love it!
You did a great job with a fast turnaround, and the camera's increased red sensitivity for hydrogen-alpha emission nebulae is wonderful. Thank you for this outstanding service that you provide to the amateur astrophotography community.
Best regards, Jerry Lodriguss"
Catching the Light - Astrophotography by Jerry Lodriguss
Gary did a great job modifying my Canon XSi camera. The camera functions perfectly and has greatly enhanced my astrophotography experience.
Gary's service and communication were excellent. He provided a pre-mod and a post mod check list showing exactly what was done and he did all this is a very timely manner, beating his estimated completion time. After sending the camera to Gary, it was back in my hands within one week! You can't beat that!
Gary's website shows anyone who is interested exactly how to modify their own camera, but with his excellent reputation, quality service, and pricing, letting Gary make the mod takes all the risk out of opening up the camera. Thanks for a job well done, Gary!
Jay 'Patrick' Johnson
J Patrick Johnson PBase Celestial Images Gallery
Thanks for the quick turnover in modifying my Canon 1000D. I received the camera and couldn't even tell it had been disassembled. I'm really pulling a lot more H-alpha out of my astro-photo's. I recently took what I consider my three best astro-photo's yet, all in one night, and cannot wait to get back out.
I have also been pleasantly surprised with the quality of my daytime images using only a quick custom white balance. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the way the transaction went, and I'd recommend your mod service to anyone considering it.
Thanks again, Adam Jaffe"
Adam's Gallery of Images on the Lackawanna Astronomical Society Web Site
Gary modified my Canon 450D (EOS XSi) this past year. His work was excellent, and turnaround was fast. He is very thorough in his work. He takes the time to make test images both before and after modifications to insure that autofocus, dust spots and exposure control are unaffected by his work. In my case, Gary had the camera fully modified in under three days, then delivered the modified camera to me in person at a local star party. He spent a few hours with me for first light exposures, teaching me technique and the intricacies of effective astrophotography. I look forward to many more years of Gary’s advice and guidance as I learn this exciting new hobby. I would definitely recommend Gary’s work to anyone not wishing to tackle a camera modification by themselves.
Patrick Crants
Orion Prime Focus and North American with Zoom Lens Post-modification Photos
Hi Gary,
Below is my testimonial to your service. You have my permission to publish it wherever you see fit.
Gary Honis' camera modification service is a class act from start to finish. His attention to detail is second to none. Upon receiving my camera, he immediately ran it through an intense battery of tests in order to ensure proper operation prior to modification. There was never a doubt in my mind as to his progress during the entire process. His communication to me was outstanding. Upon completing the process, Gary ran it through the entire test battery again to make sure everything was operating as intended. Including shipping time, I was in receipt of a fully functioning astro modified DSLR in 5 days. It has functioned wonderfully since its arrival and I look forward to putting it through its paces every new moon.
As if this wasn't enough, what is most impressive to me is Gary's continued commitment to his work and love of his hobby. Under no obligation, he has offered a wealth of advice to me weeks and months after he completed my camera's modification. I have never met Gary personally, but I am under the impression he does this because he loves it. His answers to my questions were personal, meaningful and and well researched. He has taken some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen and I believe his dedication to mentoring and teaching our small community runs deep. I can say, with the highest of confidence, that you will be happy with any service that Gary offers.
On another note, a picture of M33 I just finished. Thanks for the advice on photoshop, I'm slowly, but sure getting better at this...
Ken Pendlebury
Ken Pendlebury's Photostream on Flickr
Gary,
I am absolutely delighted and impressed with the Canon 450D DSLR modification you performed for me two weeks ago. As a physicist, I probably could have done the modification myself, and considered it much earlier after seeing your modification instructions on the Internet, but I was reluctant to undertake the task for various reasons, not the least of which was the fact that my current general-use Canon DSLR 10D had been purchased for my wife, who had serious reservations every time she saw me mount it piggyback on my telescope. Modification of that camera by me would have resulted in divorce or worse, after 54 years. A different Canon DSLR camera body was mandatory, I decided.
I was very happy to learn that you performed the modifications as a service, and contacted you immediately. You informed me as to your currently available modified cameras, and told me exactly how and where I could buy other refurbished Canon camera bodies, which could be shipped directly to you from the supplier for your subsequent modification.
You made the whole process very easy, and as an astrophotographer yourself, even suggested you could get the modified camera to me by New Moon, which hadn't even occurred to me up to that point. The fact that you completely check-out the camera and its performance both before and after the modification gave me a lot of confidence in the camera and process.
You kept me well-informed via Email of the status of the process, and made a lot of very helpful suggestions regarding the camera settings and shortcuts in astrophotography, such as how to focus on the stars using Canon's LiveView feature, something I had not encountered before.
True to your suggested timeline, the modified camera arrived on New Moon, and I took pictures of the Horsehead Nebula that very night, and the next few nights. Your earlier suggestions and insights allowed me to take pictures immediately, without a drawn-out learning process. It performed spectacularly on the hydrogen-alpha emission, something my unmodified Canon 10D was absolutely unable to do, no matter how long the exposures.
I've had since 2002, an SBIG ST-7 cooled CCD monochrome camera with a color filter wheel which I rarely use due to the fuss of taking all the exposures through the color filters, along with necessary flat fields, etc. Multiple short exposures with subsequent "stacking," make the TEC cooling far less important. With the purchase of my earlier Canon 10D DSLR, I stopped using the SBIG ST-7, except for the hydrogen-alpha emission pictures such as the Horsehead Nebula. Now, with the modified Canon 450D DSLR, I'll probably never use the cooled ST-7 again.
All in all, Gary, your modification service has been a very pleasant experience, and I'd do it again "in a heartbeat," and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.
Regards,
Dr. Arthur R. Kotz (Art)
Click here for my Gallery of Modified Canon 450D (XSi) DSLR astro images.
Also see my modification instructions for the Canon Digital Rebel 300D.
The brand name "CANON" is the property of Canon Inc.