fwm891

I have a 533 and have never taken dark or bias frames. A flat for dust bunnies sometimes if a test frame shows a problem. Otherwise it's DBE in PI to even out a background.

Will the filter not screw into the front of the 0.8x flattener?

Inspiring stuff. The number of times I've tried (slowly) to straighten up after viewing something at an eyepiece (doesn't happen too often!) and been put off looking at something lower down knowing that I need to straighten up again afterwards. I have the skills just never thought to much about solving the problem.... Thanks @Tiny Clanger

If you're using an OAG have you set the scopes focal length in PHD2? Red Brain / Guiding...

I'm not a lunar fan but that is a great image Steve.

Thanks Graeme, No not that sort of issue for me just file size with 1:1 binning. SGP setting will allow me to crop the AF field size so I'll try that next time the 800E goes on the ZS73.

I have an autofocus unit (sestoSenso 2) which I use on a WO ZS 73. Whether I use it depends on which camera I attach. If I attach my ASI 533 then I will use the AF unit. However, if I attach my Nikon 800E the files take so long to download and assess focus if becomes a slog - then a visual on the magnified camera screen is much faster. The other issue is subject brightness, if your FoV has few faint stars tthen an AF unit will be the better option otherwise your moving to a nearby brighter star each time you change a filter. Using a mask or a magnified screen view with faint stars is almost impossible.

@RugbyReneI've owned an Avalon Linear Fast Reverse mount and can say that it's a superb mount. I had warnings from (mainly CN) that the belt drive wasn't up to it - load of b--ls. I now have an iOptron CEM60 (non EC) and that too guides really well especially now PHD2 can guide on multiple field stars. Good luck with the search.

Altair do a 115 Wave series APO

Interested in comments on an 8 inch f8 RC, looking to get one. I had a few years back an Altair Astro (GSO clone) which I sold (why!!!) and I'm now looking at it's replacement. I see FLO do their StellaLyra, RVO do an iOptron Photon and there are others. Just wondering on other good/not so good views on them... Cheers

Thanks Peter, I was hoping skies would be a little more transparent - maybe next time...

After waiting for these to get out from behind trees the weather turned quit murky so I'll put this down as a Mk1 attempt and try again on another night... Shot 25x 300s subs but could only use 16. Just about make out the tails but definitely needs clear dark skies.

Well it is galaxy season so I just had to have a go at this... 20x 300s subs, ASI533 MC Pro cooled to -12°C, Baader UV/IR cut filter RASA 8 on an iOptron CEM 60 standard Link to annotated image: https://www.astrobin.com/fhmsiu/0/ Hope you like

It turns out that the WO version of a Vixen dovetail bar is narrower than a standard Vixen dovetail bar so when mounted the whole optical train is shifted over to one side and unless you add extra weight to the opposite side it won't balance. A loolly stick shifted the OTA assemble back to it's central point...

The mono DSLR. The sensor has been striped of all filters (bayer matrix) and all glassware. The chip is essentially bare. Ultimate full spectrum mono mod.

I've had a couple of issues with PHD and balance with my CEM25P / WO ZS73 combination lately and spent quite some time getting the balance right yesterday and put it to a test last night. (A lolly stick proved the best solution!). 12x 300s subs were shot at 1600 iso on a mono modified Nikon D5100. Images were processed in PI then resized in PS before posting here. Plate solved image: https://www.astrobin.com/xodxry/?nc=user

Yes I remember blowing the lens off the front too. Lots of tape I remember using now...

About 60 years ago (in a galaxy far far away!) my Dad bought me a Charles Frank refractor which consisted of two cardboard tubes. At the front of the bigger tube was a single bi-convex objective lens (uncoated) at the other end of the smaller tube a lump of rubber with a tiny little eye lens molded into it. It was advertised in one of the daily papers in a little ad in the classified section. Everything viewed showed red and blue fringes but It got me hooked on this hobby. Anyone else have the same beinnings?

Take a look at this series - modified 2 450D's using the method. No soldering required. http://dslrmodifications.com/rebelmod450d12.html

Seeing your image I'm just setting up a sequence in SGP for my 85mm f2.8 and ASI533 combination....

Grand image there Adrian. Great combination.

I just added 2 extra subs and omitted them

Dear Sir, Are you responsible for these gate crashers last night? Consecutive 300s subs.

Thanks Gav, This is part of 'The volcano nebula' and centred around RA 09hrs 30min Dec 70° 11mins