The Canon EOS 60Da is based on the specifications of the Canon 60D and succeeds the EOS 20Da in the Canon lineup.

The Canon EOS 60Da is designed for astrophotography and can capture rich red colours produced by emission nebulae, with a modified low pass filter that makes it more sensitive to hydrogen-alpha (Há) wavelengths of light, Canon says.

In a standard DSLR, an infrared (IR) filter limits the amount of Há light that passes through to the camera sensor, reducing the transmission of red signals to prevent unwanted colour artefacts in the final image.

However the EOS 60Da features a new modified filter that offers three times more transparency for Há light than the EOS 60D, combined with an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processing and a high ISO range to capture crisp, clear images of red-coloured emission nebulae.

The EOS 60Da provides astrophotographers and night photography enthusiasts with high ISO speeds up to ISO 6,400 (expandable to ISO 12,800) and a curved body features with an improved button layout that has more frequently used controls grouped together for easy access.

Controls can be adjusted and reassigned to suit each user’s individual requirements, and a top LCD screen with backlight illumination lets night photographers adjust image parameters mid-shoot.

The Canon EOS 60Da is available from June 2012, priced at £1,174.99/€1,399.00 RRP incl. VAT

Canon EOS 60Da key specs

• Enhanced sensitivity to IR light
• 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen
• ISO 100-6,400 (expandable to ISO 12,800)
• Time-lapse shooting with EOS Utility or optional Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3

So you think you know how to use your digital camera? Like many of us, you may have a DSLR or compact system camera but tend to use only a handful of its features.

In our ongoing review of some of the more popular current and ‘out of date’ digital cameras, we want to help you better harness the creative potential of your DSLR or compact system camera.

Call them camera tips, or call it a user’s guide to your favourite digital camera. The advice below comes from experts who have used the Canon 60D and know this DSLR inside and out.

If you have your own Canon 60D tips you’d like to share, post them in the comments below – or send them jeff.meyer@futurenet.com. What we want to build is an ever-growing user’s guide of Canon 60D tips that come not from a press release or a lab test, but from the photographers who shoot with this DSLR.

We want to inspire you to twist the mode dial and move beyond your favourite settings and functions and get more out of your Canon 60D starting today! So without further ado…

Canon 60D: tips for using your Canon DSLR

Canon 60D Tip 1: Electronic level
As with the 7D, the 60D features a handy rear- screen level to help you keep your horizons horizontal – Press the INFO button twice to see it. You can also call up a more basic level in the viewfinder, and on the top-plate LCD.

Canon 60D Tip 2: Raw
Want to see how a shot would look with a different colour treatment, but don’t want to wait until it’s on your computer? You can process your .CR2 RAW files in-camera – just head for the bottom of the first Playback menu.

Canon 60D Tip 3: ISO Auto
The automatic ISO function offers you a balance between versatility and quality, as you can set a maximum ISO from the standard ISO range up to 6400 – it won’t let you select 12800 from the expanded ISO settings.

Canon 60D Tip 4: SET button
Custom Function IV: 2 lets you register a shooting function to the SET button. However, this won’t work if the control pad has been set to Manual AF Point Selection using Custom Function III: 2 (AF point selection method).

Canon 60D Tip 5: Image rating
Hit the Q button during playback, then use the menu to assign a star rating to your images. These ratings are carried over to Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Camera Raw and Adobe Bridge, making it easy to find your best shots.

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Canon DSLRs
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