Software to handle totality part of Total Solar Eclipse?

[Amra]

I need some suggestions on how to handle the totality part of upcoming March 20'th Total Solar Eclipse as much as possible in software.

Someone recommended Eclipse Orchestrator to me, I will look into it, but it seems a bit complicated to learn how to use in such a short time.

But I was wondering, can't I do it in Backyard EOS? I would like to have the software use the same exposure interval for the partial phases then at a particular time (15s before totality begins, when I remove the solar filter at second contact) start bracketing different exposures to image different features during the totality event, then at a particular moment (third contact, sun reappears) start the same exposure & interval as I had in the beginning for the rest of the event.

Think this might be possible to do in Backyard EOS alone? I am going to look into. If anyone has some other suggestions I am all ears.

Just for info: I will be using a Full Spectrum Canon 1100D prime focus on a Skywatcher 200P with an off-axis solar filter, which I will remove for totality (and put on again for third contact of course. )

I will also have some cameras with wide angle lenses shooting timelapse, but these are simple as they don't need a filter and thus will be completely automatic.

[Amra]

Okay now I've actually sat down experimented with Eclipse Orchestrator and it's not that hard to use and works great. Too bad the Pro version is 100$, could really use all the features of the program. You really just plug in location data and run a script and I've simulated totality a few times and it seems to do the bracketing job just fine, takes about 45 shots during the allotted time.

One thing though, my scope is f/5 (of course, not configurable), and I select f/5 in the program and don't allow deviations, this setting is aimed towards lenses though. Is f/5 on a lens exactly the same as f/5 on my telescope, will the exposures be accurate? (fastest one is 1/500, longest one 2s ISO200.)

So I think I might use EOS utility for the uneclipsed parts of the event and then switch to Orchestrator for totality.

[michaelmorris]

Sorry to sound like a kill joy, but personally I would certainly not attempt to switching between programs mid-eclipse. It sounds like a recipe for trouble to me.  Computers have a horrible habit of playing up at the most inopportune moments and the philosophy of 'keep it simple' is usually a good one to follow.  If nothing else, you'll end up spending almost all your time dealing with the camera and computer rather than enjoying the moment.

You say you're not intending to use a solar filters on your wide field shots.  I would imagine that during the partial phase at best you'll probably end up with some seriously over-exposed images and at worst you could potentially end up with damage to the optics, imaging chip and /or shutter.  Focussing could also be tricky/dangerous.

[Tom OD]

 

On ‎07‎/‎03‎/‎2015 at 00:53, Amra said:

Okay now I've actually sat down experimented with Eclipse Orchestrator and it's not that hard to use and works great. Too bad the Pro version is 100$, could really use all the features of the program. You really just plug in location data and run a script and I've simulated totality a few times and it seems to do the bracketing job just fine, takes about 45 shots during the allotted time.

One thing though, my scope is f/5 (of course, not configurable), and I select f/5 in the program and don't allow deviations, this setting is aimed towards lenses though. Is f/5 on a lens exactly the same as f/5 on my telescope, will the exposures be accurate? (fastest one is 1/500, longest one 2s ISO200.)

So I think I might use EOS utility for the uneclipsed parts of the event and then switch to Orchestrator for totality.

I m interested to know how this turned out. I ve just bought the Pro version for the Aug 2017 eclipse. I was practising last and there are still a lot of features I need to work with.

I need the serial RS232 cable to include the Mirror lock up option. I think this will be essential as I'll be using a 600mm scope on a sky adventurer, so they may be a little wobble in there.

The F/10 through a scope verses a Lens is another where I presume there is no difference, but did you find it mattered?

Thanks Tom.

[HomCavObservatory]

Folks, My friends and I will be in Idaho for the eclipse, (our second total - having been lucky enough to catch the one in '91 in Hawaii). I plan to photograph this one as well and would love to chat with anyone else in this forum who is planning on using either Eclipse Orchestrator software & / or CamRanger h/w & s/w to control their DSLR during the eclipse? I am currently considering two setups (or 1 with a backup ) - Eclipse Orchestrator (on Win 10 laptop) & CamRanger (on Ipad)). If anyone is using either or both (or knows of a different forum discussing these packages for use during the eclipse), I'd appreciate any exchange of info regarding settings, etc. - Thx in advance and Clear Skies To All - J

[clayhaller]

On 7/31/2017 at 21:05, HomCavObservatory said:

Folks, My friends and I will be in Idaho for the eclipse, (our second total - having been lucky enough to catch the one in '91 in Hawaii). I plan to photograph this one as well and would love to chat with anyone else in this forum who is planning on using either Eclipse Orchestrator software & / or CamRanger h/w & s/w to control their DSLR during the eclipse? I am currently considering two setups (or 1 with a backup ) - Eclipse Orchestrator (on Win 10 laptop) & CamRanger (on Ipad)). If anyone is using either or both (or knows of a different forum discussing these packages for use during the eclipse), I'd appreciate any exchange of info regarding settings, etc. - Thx in advance and Clear Skies To All - J

I plan to be about an hour outside of Nashville and will use EO on a windows 10 laptop. Working on the script now. I wanted to try and use a Skywatcher Star Adventurer tracker to track the sun, but I'm not having much success with the tracking.