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Patbloke

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    Uk Four Oaks Sutton Coldfield

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  1. Great report... Amazing progress from the early days Great work!!
  2. It's ok folks I've found a micro 4/3 adapter and nose piece... Cant delete the thread so thanks for reading πŸ™‚
  3. Following a recent prompt from a wanted ad on the forum... I've dug out my barely used Opticstar AR80 Gold Dual Focus Achromat I've set it up during the rubbish weather on the bird feeder at the bottom of the garden! Sat on the AVX mount it's a bit over engineered but great views for spotting πŸ™‚ It got me thinking that maybe I could attach my camera the Olympus OM-D for a few pics... I used to have a t piece for a full size DSLR and did take a few pics years ago. However, this little camera is amazing but I'm not sure what adapter to buy which will enable me to fit it to the Opticstar and my other two Fracs So after a quick search I've decided the quickest way would be to seek help on the forum Any ideas folks?
  4. Best wishes Steve. Binocular legend πŸ‘
  5. Another great night, thanks Nick. I need these refreshers every so often It was really good going old school with the CG5 using the slow motion hand controls and the Vixen large home made focus wheel you have fitted on her.. It took me back to when I first started observing with my little Skywatcher 114p, following the planets Also your EQ6 Pro is some mount fella, it's much quieter than my AVX and I'm pretty sure it would carry the weight of a human holding binoculars πŸ™‚ One thing that is always good to remember is that once you get your object is in focus, spend time observing it, get a chair get comfortable at the EP relax and you'll be amazed how the view changes with averted vision and looking straight on over several minutes. Top work... nice hedgehogs mate but I'm going to have to trump you with Sonic which is one of my regular visitors, which is the size of as mall dog and can move at supersonic speeds..... He nearly knocked me off my chair speeding by last night while I was taking water under the night sky :-0
  6. I have an AVX mount and my first star shot is always a fair distance out... I always have to do 3 calibration stars before I get successful alignment. I use a 32mm EP to capture the star at first, then fine tune to centre the alignment targets on a crosshair reticule (red light) A great buy by the way!!! Don't throw your kit in the sea πŸ™‚ I felt the same the other night, when nothing went right out there in the dark... but the next night it all went lovely and I remembered why this hobby is so great
  7. What a great DIY modification πŸ™‚ great work
  8. Oh it appears that I am very lucky in that I do have a pair of Helios Apollos. It's not a gloat (it is) but a few thoughts - I've only ever used the filter threads a couple of times and it's not been something that I found mind blowing at the time so for me it's a 'nice to have' not essential in bins. Also as you are used to a 10 x 50 view, would it not be a good idea to get an available pair of 15 x 70's like a Celestron or Revelation for now so you can see if you like using them? For about Β£70 you can experience the wonders and then keep a look out on the pre used market. I found the so called 'budget' bins a lot lighter and easier to handle and a nicely aligned pair are a big step up from the 10 x 50's (can always sell as well) I spent ages researching bins a few years ago and read a great review on some expensive Pentax which when I bought and used were very disappointing and felt like light blockers! I took them back next day... You are doing the right thing asking users on this site... I hope the comments you get help for final choices πŸ™‚
  9. I bought a really substantial tripod with a pistol grip head when I got my Apollos and I found it really uncomfortable to use with bins... handheld or monopod supported works for me. Check out BinocularSky website - Stephen Tonkin! loads of tips and reviews πŸ‘
  10. This site is great for opinions and advice... There are ways to use binoculars that don't put stress on your arms. Nothing better than putting the blanket out laying back it gazing the universe, sitting in the garden chair leaning back and taking it all in. Don't be scared of the 15 x 70's the standard pairs aren't that heavy and the views are great πŸ™‚ Sometimes you just have to make the choice... if you keep the equipment in condition you can always sell and upgrade if you feel you need more
  11. I love binocular viewing... Bins are always great to take travelling, easy set up and use to scan the skies πŸ™‚ My thoughts - 10 x 50 is a good portable size but 15 x 70 is what I found give the most pleasurable views. Nikon make great cameras and being brand loyal is good, so hopefully the bins would be great if you go that route. I've checked the price and for half that you could get a nice pair of Celestron 15 x 70s which will give more magnification and a wide field of view. As to whether they are available to buy at the moment, I'm not sure. I bought a second hand pair of Helios Apollos after much research and for Β£170 they were perfectly aligned and give great colour and sharp views... I do use a monopod to steady them when sat down. I bought a pair of 20 x 60 Pentax bins once in Australia after researching and reading the reviews... but for astro observing they awful, not very good... I took them back next day and replaced them (for the same amount of money) with two pairs of bins... a pair of 15 x 70's Celestron type - and a pair of Bushnell trophy 8 x 42... brilliant decision I got the best of both worlds... so be careful but also good luck
  12. Hi I also use the joystick trigger ball head... but most of the time I use a monopod, sit back in the chair and rest the monopod on the floor by my feet... It's amazing the stabilising effect it has on my Apollos which are very heavy. I actually prefer the experience far better than using the tripod. Great for travel as well, (not that we can at the moment) 😞
  13. Just a thought - why not contact Moonlite? I spoke to Ron at moonlite@focuser.com a while ago when I had some questions about a moonlite and he was super helpful
  14. Did you have the solar scope? I hadn't got out of my car and I was invited over to look through? Yes, it's a different Mrs nowadays... I'm looking forward to many more nights outside, and who knows one day maybe even another Star Party
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