RASC Hamilton Getting a DSLR modified...

[Gary Bennett]

There are really only 3 shipping Companies who can give you next day (or
even 2-3 day) service from the US.:

-              FedEx (not Ground!!!!)

-              UPS offers a next day

-              DHL

 

One thing to consider when deciding how much you are willing to pay for
express shipping is that if you chose a slower (less expensive) option you
might end up paying more than the next day option because the delivery guy
will be there to collect a $ 20-30 Customs Clearance fee! FedEx Ground and
UPS Ground do this. But if you use their more expensive next-day service the
Customs fee is included. What makes matters worse, if you are not home when
the delivery guy comes you have to wait until the next day and another
delivery attempt will be made. 

 

Unless I am stupid-impatient I usually opt for USPS (Post Office) service.
It typically takes 3-5 days and the Customs fee is max. $ 5.00 and often it
is free. If I am not home, Canada Post put a card in my mail box and I can
go pick it up down the street.

 

  Gary Bennett

 

From: astronomers-bounces at hamiltonrasc.ca
[mailto:astronomers-bounces at hamiltonrasc.ca] On Behalf Of Mark Kaye
Sent: June-29-12 9:37 AM
To: astronomers at hamiltonrasc.ca
Subject: Re: RASC Hamilton Getting a DSLR modified...

 

At 22:35 6/28/2012, you wrote:




He also offers a choice of two different replacement filters.  One is
made by Baader and the other by Astrodon.  These filters allow you to
use the camera for normal daytime use, as long as you use a custom white
balance.  The Astrodon filter is $30 more expensive, but Astrodon has a
superb reputation for producing the highest quality filters for
astronomical use.  So, despite my predilection for choosing the less
expensive items, I went with the Astrodon filter.


   I own a Baader IR/UV blocking filter.  It is completely clear to the
unaided eye, but I know it blocks IR as I have a web cam that is not chip
filtered for IR and with some lenses, it washes out completely due to IR,
but when I put the Baader filter in front, it works normally.  Some webcams
filter the chip and let the lens be unfiltered, while others filter the lens
and leave the chip unfiltered.  That makes some cameras unsuitable for using
with IR illumination, if the chip is filtered.
   Does the Astrodon filter IR?  I cannot use my refractor for CCD work
unless I filter out IR and UV.  While the scope is beauty focusing visible
light, it quickly goes into out of focus once you get outside of the visible
range, especially at the red end and makes the scope very hard to focus.  I
suspect that unless IR is filtered, most lens systems will not give sharp
images.  Of course, mirrors are not affected by this, but Schmidts and Maks
are.




After two days of no updates, and with visions of modified cameras being
lost, this evening, it showed up in Miami!  Apparently, though, it's
normal for the US Postal Service to send things hundreds of miles out of
the way.  


   You have to love express service.  I bought a base for my C11 and had it
shipped express because I wanted it by the end of the week when I was
travelling down here to install it.  It did not arrive in the "guaranteed"
delivery time or two days later, for that matter.  It arrived sometime
during the week I was away and because I was not at home to get the package,
I then had to go to the post office to get it.  The express mailing rate was
more expensive than the part and while they guarantee delivery, it is an
empty guarantee.  They only guarantee that I will get it, on what ever time
frame they wish, despite the huge extra bucks they charge.  I got the
parcel, so what do they care?  The one advantage of the postal service is
that there is not a bondage fee to pay for storing the item at the border
while they delay your shipment.
   Good luck with your package.  Since the company that shall not be named
believes Canada is in the southern hemisphere, maybe it is a myth for all of
California and your package is in Miami because that is about as far south
as you can get before shipping it to the nether regions.  Just what you
wanted to hear...



   Clear skies!
               MK

The Observatory by the Lake
http://www3.sympatico.ca/mark.kaye/index.htm 

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