shaztronomer

Hey guys, I've been practicing some imaging on my canon M3, a 50mm and my star adventurer, feel pretty comfortable with that set up and really want to move to a mount and telescope set up. I've already set aside money for am5. I already have a c8 edge that I've been using for observing. My question is, is the c8 going to be too much for me to get started? I can always buy a small refractor but as I already had the c8 I thought I'd ask.

4 hours ago, michael8554 said:

Excellent first go !

I've stretched it with a 300ArcSinh filter, and increased the saturation:

But that's to my taste, everyone else's taste may differ:

 

Awesome, definitely pops more, I'm going to try the same thing for practice 😂

1 hour ago, Swoop1 said:

@shaztronomer I would be pleased if that was my image. The stars look reasonably sharp and there is definite detail in there.

Thanks mate, I didn't want to over do it on the imaging time as I had no idea how it would turn out 😂

Just got into astrophotography and astronomy in general. My friend lent me a canon M3 and a 50mm lense and I've just bought a star adventurer, so just practicing before I get myself a camera and a 135mm.

This is the cygnus region

Canon M3, 50mm

Iso 500, 3 min shutter, f4, edited in pixinsight.

30 mins lights, 20 min darks and 30 bias frames

Will get more data next time and get flats.

Any feedback appreciated.

1 hour ago, adyj1 said:

a screw only going in a turn or two is indeed a good indication of M into UNC 😞

I'm new to all of this, nothing seems standardised, I seem to be buying adapters right left and center 😂, I managed to build myself a little adapter anyway so saved me buying another tripod, thanks for all the help guys 🙏🤙

3 hours ago, wongataa said:

The Star Adventurer wedge does have a 3/8 UNC threaded hole.

Yeh it's my eq5 tripod that has a M10 threaded rod my mistake 😭

1 hour ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

i bought an adapter from them and it worked fine ! 

 

Do you the eq5 tripod with welded pin?, they told me it wouldn't clear the pin unless I filed it 😭

15 minutes ago, adyj1 said:

D'oh, didn't read your post properly, sorry.

Have you confirmed the thread on your tripod is definitely 3/8" ? will it screw into something you know to be 3/8?

Oh I believe it may be a M10 center bolt on my tripod actually 🤦

7 minutes ago, adyj1 said:

I have one of these for my AZ-GTi;

Astro Essentials 3/8" Photo Adapter for HEQ5 / AZ5 Tripod | First Light Optics

£39 plus the postage.

If you're still keen to DIY, at least it gives you an idea of what works...

 

Ady

Unfortunately that adapter won't work as I have a fixed az pin on mine and flow said there would not be clearance, I have just made an adapter out of wood which works, my only problem now is my 3/8 threaded rod won't screw I to my star adventurer, which I assumed had a 3/8 thread

2 hours ago, wongataa said:

Don't drill a 3/8 hole.  You want the hole to be larger than the threaded part going through it.  A 10/10.5mm hole will be just fine. Also metric bits are more available in the UK.

Personally I would just saw off the AZ pin, file the stump flat, and put some paint on the wound to protect the exposed metal.

I made an adapter out of a wood block, using a 10mm drill bit, all fits, my only problem is now my 3/8 threaded rod from my az5 tripod won't thread onto my star adventurer, the top thread catches but won't go any further, I assumed the star adventurer was a 3/8 thread hole, any ideas? 

6 hours ago, Tomatobro said:

is it possible to unbolt the legs and turn the base upside down and reattach the legs

That does kind of work but for safety reasons I wouldn't because the legs are able to go horizontal if they were to slip. I think I'm going to get a wooden block, drill a 3/8 hole and get a 3/8 threaded bar and see what I can do, I'll update once I've attempted it 😂🤙

1 hour ago, Tomatobro said:

how high does that pin stick up above the top of the mount?

2.3 cm 

Hey guys, I've got an eq5 tripod that came with my skytee 2 last month. Just bought a star adventurer to try a bit of astrophotography. The star adventurer will not fit onto the tripod because of the alt az pin. Pic below (not my pic but same tripod)

Flo does an adaptor but does not fit the eq5 tripods with the welded pin which I have, they said I could always file the adapter to make clearance but I'm not really handy with that kind of thing 😭

There is another adapter but not UK based unfortunately and just not worth the price tbh

https://www.astroshop.eu/other-adapters/astoptics-photo-adapter-for-eq3-eq5-tripod/p,57914

I could obviously just buy another tripod but I really begrudge buying one just for the star adventurer as the eq5 is really nice IMO. 

I saw a post on here where someone has made their own adaptor (pic below) again doubt I'd be able to but I might give it a try. Any ideas or help would be appreciated, I'm dying to get out and take some pictures 😅

Great post, after you've levelled your expectations you'll realise that what your seeing is still awe inspiring 🤯

Ahhh okay perfect, I'll just get the upgraded vixen ADM saddle thanks for all the help guys 🤙

14 minutes ago, Knighty2112 said:

I fitted one of these to my Skytee2 mount a few years back, but I had to shave off 0.5mm with a Dremmel on the 2 bolt head screws and file back a little more in the slots that I fixed it to on the mount with as the minimum screw holes were for 36mm, and they were then snug but screwed in OK. It does allow me to use either Losmandy dovetail which I have on my 12’ Skywatcher Newtonian, and also Vixen saddles which I have with all my other scopes too. Pricey but was worth the buy, especially with the 3 clamping parts to it that make it super secure for heavier scopes.

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/primaluce-lab-maxi-dovetail-clamp-vixenlosmandy-plus.html

I'm definitely not handy with things like that, I wouldn't trust myself 😂. The C8 did also come a vixen dovetail plate which had a William optics carry handle attached, I can take the handle off and use that then get the upgraded ADM saddle, the only thing that put me off was the guy I bought it off said he wouldn't trust the vixen dovetail with the load of the C8, do you have any thoughts on that?

2 hours ago, Roy Challen said:

Blatant plug, but is this of any use to you?

 

 

Can't see the content buddy?

26 minutes ago, Knighty2112 said:

Might be best to drop FLO an email as to which saddle will fit your Skytee2 mount for the CGE/Losmondy style saddle you need. They show which saddle works for Vixen saddles OK on a Skytee2, but not for CGE/Losmondy style you need for your C8 Edge.

Just dropped them an email mate, after a lot more research I found this which has the same 35mm spacing and 6mn screws, bit pricey but if it saves my new scope crashing to the ground, oh its out of stock a minute 😩

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-dual-saddle-upgrade-for-takahashi-m6-or-losmandy-gm8.html

5 hours ago, Philip R said:

Hi @shaztronomer and welcome to SGL. 

What is the hole spacing? I have a 'spare' Bresser 'Vixen' type saddle [image below] that I purchased, thinking it would fit my AOK-AYO mount... wrong!

I do wish saddle plate manufacturers made them with slotted holes to accommodate the different mounts. It would make life and our hobby so much easier.

35mm spacing for 6mm screws I believe. 

Hey guys, I have just bought a C8 edge hd with CGE dovetail fitted and a skytee 2 mount. I'm having problems finding which saddle is compatible with the skytee 2. I know ADM do a vixen saddle and I have seen other losmandy saddles but am unsure if they're compatible with the skytee, thanks in advance for any help 🤙