Chris

In a recent video I attempted to image the Heart and Soul nebula with a vintage lens and Skyguider pro, and yeah, things didn't go particular well which got me thinking. People post amazing images almost routinely on SGL and other forums, and I've noticed the standard go up and up over the year. Anyone starting out with DSO imaging must be pretty daunted at the sight of what some folk manage to produce!? I also think things are getting more challenging with increasing numbers of satellites and weird weather. So in the spirit of solidarity with those of us that struggle with this challenging yet rewarding hobby, here is a documentation of one of my failures p.s. There might be some tips for anyone thinking of trying AP with a lens and star tracker.....despite the failure.

I hope not because many of us have owned and enjoyed them

It's fine for the money and certainly does the job. If I was being critical the black painted ali chips real easy but this is only cosmetic and it's only 59 quid! Having owned a Star Adventurer I can vouch for it's performance per £. Retailors sell a lorry load of them for a reason

Get a star tracker to use with your 500D. Something like a Skywatcher Star Adventurer or iOptron Skyguider Pro (both within budget) Lenses are great for AP so don't worry there. Plenty of targets with a 28mm, 50mm, 135mm, 200mm lens etc. Plus these mounts allow for auto guiding if you want to push the focal length even further and use something like a small ED refractor with around 300-400mm focal length.

I currently have the iPolar variant of the SkyGuider pro on loan, so thought I would put together a little primer for setting up and using the iPolar digital polar scope. I'm not the most techy person in the world, some might even call me luddite-esque! Although, even I found the iPolar simple to use...well, once I remembered to remove the polar scope dust cap! Anyway, I hope this is useful for anyone curious about digital polar scopes in particular the iPolar by iOptron. It's a short video so hopefully not too boring

I had great result using a modded 500D so I'm sure the 550D would do a decent Job. It doesn't have the sort after flip out screen like the 650D onwards, but you only really miss this feature if you're used to having it.

Definitely better than the rendition I once did I'm just wondering whether less of a histogram stretch would reduce some of the blotchy red noise?

Matt, I'm in love with your brass Skylight! As well as the great views I'm sure it makes you feel like a Victorian gent too

Wow!

Hi Martin, well the Mak would be a touch sharper and more contrasty, in part due to the smaller central obstruction. SCT's win on the faster cool down time and the ability to add reducer/flatteners making them a bit more versatile. The 127Mak is a very good compromise between aperture, cool down time, and portability if going the Mak route, but definitely investigate those 'new' classical Cassegrain's that seem to have popped up on the scene recently. I've also heard very good things about their planetary performance. Their central obstruction is pretty much identical to an SCT but they have a longer/larger focal ratio, something like f12 verse f10, so all things being equal better off axis performance with the more shallow light cone. Plus fast cool down and reduced dew worries as Classical Cassegrain's don't have corrector plates!

Good to narrow things down, Martin So we're looking at either an SCT, Mak, or maybe a Cassegrain unless I've missed anything? What are your immediate thoughts about these three types?

I'm with Stu, more info please Martin. The Cassegrain John has linked below looks very interesting! High mag and no corrector plate,

Poor, but happy when you look through an f.10 ED with added lanthanum element! I would like to see one of these put up against a Tak!

Hey Ruz, cool. didn't realise you were on SGL, good stuff I also became smitten for this range when I saw the 104mm at the IAS, and had no idea about the 80mm f10 which massively hits my soft spot for long focal length refractors. Having said that, if I had the money for the 104mm

Hi. I've Googled this and can't find anything so I suspect the answer is no, but just in case, does anyone know of an LP filter compatible with Fuji mirrorless cameras? Failing that is there a work around to get an LP filter in the imaging train of a Fuji XT100 --> M42 to X mount adaptor ---> vintage lenses such as Super Takumar's ? Cheers

If it was a detachable accessory I would agree. The flip mirror is incorporated into the OTA, or at least on the 4SE I had it was.

Hmmm? I'm not sure about this? Won't any evidence that it's been tampered with void the warranty? Isn't it best to just send it back if it's well in warranty?

I think Celestron still have a 2 year warranty, so hopefully they should sort it out without quibble. As said it sounds like mechanical failure of the flip mirror.

That's wonderful to hear Robert One day I'll own a 8.75" f6.3 which I hope will perform well and be a great compromise for most things. Just need to get round to finishing it! You do have nice old collection of scopes now

Steve and Ian of FLO/Ikarus imaging where kind enough to loan me this Skyguider Pro (iPolar edition) for review for my YouTube Channel. The video below might be useful if anyone's in the market for a star tracker, cheers.

A beautifully written write up Robert. I had zero doubts you'd be happy with the views as a fellow owner. It's slightly alarming to hear you had a bad star test though, f8 should be much easier to figure than f5 so very surprising. As others have said you surely wouldn't be able to split such tight doubles with a bad mirror so hopefully that's re-assuring. On the flip side, if it is a bad mirror, just imagine what a good 1/10th wave mirror would do!

Big congrats guys! I'm sure this marks a new era for FLO I remember seeing the 104mm at IAS2019 and loved the build, livery, name, and especially the fact that it had 2 ED elements...I didn't realise the third element on these triplets was Lanthanum! like you get in those very special little Vixen EP's! Takahashi, APM, Televue and the like had better watch out! I'm getting back into imaging but crikey that 80mm f10 looks something special too.

Cool, congrats Robert. Something like this would be ideal, but er? probably not the cheapest solution: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-pillar-mount-support-for-heq5-eq6-series-mounts.html

Thanks Rob, looking forward to when the planets are higher!

Both an impressive thread bump and an impressive thing you saw. Even a falling satellite is a mightily impressive thing to have witnessed...if it indeed was that? Welcome to SGL