There may be a reason that their prices are so low. Look here
http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-RoyalCamera_com/display_~reviews
Tom C wrote:
From the MAPUG list, Canon is putting out a modified version of the 20D
specifically for astrophotography.
Also, there's a link at the bottom of the page 'low price Canon EOS 20D, the regular non-astro version at Royal Camera. The price is $800 That's $800 for an 8.2 mp camera ($1 more than the price they're selling the *ist DS for).
Also, the Optio 750Z is $409 on their site. In November, the lowest price I could find was $547.
Tom C.
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/news/articles/story_2550.html
A 20D-based new digital SLR, specially modified for astrophotography, has been announced in Japanese market. It's based on the 20D with the modified sensor chip to optimize the optical characteristics for astrophotography.
Q1: Are you planning to introduce this product in US market? A1: We're planning to do so. We're currently figuring out the potential market size, etc. Any details (price, shipment, etc.) are to be announced later.
Q2: What does the camera's name mean? A2: While the base camera is the EOS 20D, the "a" stands for "astronomy" indicating that the camera is geared for astrophotography.
Q3: What's the difference between this camera and the regular EOS 20D? A3: There are two major differences. One is the optical characteristics of the CMOS sensor, another is the availability of "Live View" mode. Here are the details of the 2 items:
1. Optical characteristics of the sensor are optimized forastrophotography. The camera's sensitivity to a specific wave length (H-alpha lines; 656 nm) is higher than with normal digital cameras (about 2.5 times higher than with the EOS 20D). As a result, reddish, diffuse nebulae can be captured more easily and clearly.
2. Live View is a special mode to view the image on the LCD monitor for precise focusing, by means of locking up the mirror. One setting for 5x magnified view (about 4% of the live image at the center is displayed full-screen on the LCD monitor), and another for 10x magnified view (about 10% of the live image at the center is displayed full-screen on the LCD monitor).
--
I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners - two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime.
--P.J. O'Rourke
