jfrijhoff

Oh dear, me contemplating a Plus or Mini is thinking to start getting the hang of NINA instead for a while…

Like the others mentioned: I have my lens on an astromodified DSLR (canon), and rotate the camera in the lens collar to get the correct framing. The lens is mounted currently on a A001 lens collar off of Aliexpress. It’s not a flush fit though, so I put felts on the inside to make it work. I’m waiting on a WO cat mounting ring that should be a snug fit, then I can also attach the guide cam on top.

Yes, manual preprocessing. It was the first time for me to do manual preprocessing, so a bit of a noob, but it worked out fine! https://siril.org/tutorials/comet/

My stacked images had lines running over it, bummed because I got quite some hours on the heart and soul nebula. Must be walking noise, people agreed. Tried dithering, same thing. Turned out I hadn’t properly cleaned my lens and it had streaks on it… Then the dither settings on my SWSA2i got saved, and when I didn’t want to dither, it did so anyway, ruining >90% of the subs and another many clear nights before I figured that one out…

All taken with a Rokinon 135mm at f2.8, mostly 30 sec at ISO800, total integration between 30sec (Orion) and 30-60 minutes on a astromodified (full spectrum) canon eos 550D with either CLS clip-in filter or CLS-CCD clip-in filter, in a Bortle 5 zone.

Finally happening! Clear skies in the south of the Netherlands. Was surprisingly quick to find the comet with my SWSA2i, and it’s imaging away at 30sec ISO800 for the next hour.

Not sure how often you should re-grease, not long enough in the hobby. The cryptic answer would be, whenever it starts to feel stiff again I guess.

How are you liking it so far?

If I have to go by the multiple reviews and tuning out there, then they all say the factory grease is low grade and better replaced with better grease, and indeed spread thinly.

Just wondering, if you’re already familiar with NINA and you want to use a laptop, would a mini-pc work in your case? Not trying to get you away from the mini, looks like a great tool.

I’ve used Super Lube PTFE, not for an HEQ5, but SWSA 2i, but same principal. Good grease that also works at low temperatures.

I had no idea, good to know!!

Some basic stuff, but good to keep me imaging and guiding throughout the night: - vixen clamp for SWSA 2i - vixen dovetail bar - dummy battery for my canon 550D - hex bolts Now just to get familiar with NINA control.

Seriously cool (pun intended)! For v1.1, will it be able to keep my beer cold as well 😬?

So you based correct focus using the eyepiece, and not with the camera? I’m confused.

You could compare with astroshop.eu, they at least also give an option for prices in Norwegian kronor, so expect they also deliver there. Perhaps there are astronomy societies close by where you are that can also give advice, or even try out equipment?

Just starting my first steps in guiding (when the clouds clear up, so most likely not before summer 🤣), this is great!

Great read! Glad I’m doing these things mostly already by mezelf before reading this 😀

Thanks both! I’ll keep in getting familiar with NINA using my old laptop, and then a mini-pc is looking very attractive afterwards.

Good to know, thanks!

Have you had a look into (free) MagicLantern and whether there’s a version for the 4000D? You load this onto the camera via the SD-card and gives you a bunch of features, including an intervalometer.

No problem, given the reticle you showed I thought it may be this one. I thinks some posts in here may be able to help you out if you still like to remedy this: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/653045-ioptron-skyguider-pro-maintenance-and-upkeep/ good luck!

That's a sweet looking rig! Do the mini-PCs hold up well in general in (freezing) cold and high humidity?

Ditto!

You mentioned earlier you preferred DSLR at first, and it's a great way to start with a (astro-modified) DSLR and still get good images. They're also available second-hand. You also don't necessarily have to start thinking of having to use ASIAIR or Raspberry or mini-PC right away. And when you're ready to go down that route, you can still go for either of those options, and the DSLR can still be useable later on, or resell it.