johnst

Managed to get a decent image of M 51 from a few nights ago on a really clear night using my Star Adventurer and WO Megrez 72d and a Canon 700d modded using a CLS clip filter. Using 25 x 120 sec lights and 25 x 120 sec darks with 25 flats, 25 dark flats and 40 bias. Cheers

Hi Gary, doesn't matter where in the world you live it's still nice to have you with us!

So, the other night when it was really clear I managed to image the Horsehead Nebula with 22 lights at 800 iso and then did darks, then I got carried away and took 22 lights of the Leo triplet but used the same darks. When it came to loading on the laptop I realized that I used 2 cards and got my flats and darks mixed up. Now I have got a message on DSS saying 'Only one frame (out of 23) will be stacked. You should check/change the star detection threshold to detect more stars & help DSS find a transformation between the reference frame & the others' I guess that you don't 'share' darks and also keep to one subject especially as I'm still learning. Thoughts please anyone. John

That's a very impressive image that you've got and something which any new imager would be proud of, well done, don't know whether I could get to that level!

Sorry, should say Binos

The Astro Essentials is the correct image as in looking through your Vinod and I have no problem in looking 'down' rather than up and it's certainly more comfortable to view! John

Astro Essentials do a replica of that, also at First Light Optics and I've had it about 6 months and find it very helpful on my WO Megrez 72 so go for it!

Took some pics of the Cone Nebula last night and darks, flats and dark flats - all about 20 each and put them into folders ready for Deep Sky Stacker. Now they won't load so I tried just one image and a message came up saying RawTherapee needs to be loaded before Gimp will take it. They are all on Raw format and I haven't had this problem before. I have stacked onto DSS and then put on Gimp previously but I'm wondering if I've missed something. I used a Canon 700d modded with a Canon 70-210 at 135 last night and was hoping for something reasonable but RawTherapee came up so any comments welcome!

This one is 60 seconds at iso 800, hope it's ok to open, what do you think? IMG_8411.CR2

Hi All, You've probably heard all this before but as I'm fairly new to imaging and realizing it's not cheap, the other night I was imaging M42 using my Star Adventurer, WO Megrez 72, Canon 700d modded and Astro Essentials finder scope plus dew straps etc, on a Velbon tripod. The main aim was to get good focus using a Bahtinovv Mask and only took a few images with the moon rising! However, when looking at the pics I noticed camera judder. The focus looked good but am now wondering if the issue is the mount and or tripod. The exposures where 30, 60 and 120 secs. Also, I am pitching on decorative slate, don't know if it slips around! I am wondering about getting a HEQ5 go to Mount for the autumn for stability and making sure I pitch on the lawn. What do members think? Any comments welcome. Cheers, John

Thanks a lot folks, a good few suggestions there for me👍

Thanks for the quick reply, I'm not using any software as yet, still getting equipment together so am relying on live view on the camera, will check out if I can zoom at all.

Hi, Had a mixed night last night as I was imaging M42 with my WO Megrez 72 on my Star Adventurer and my Canon 700D. A couple of issues, first, when I used my Bahtinov Mask, it is the correct one purchased from FLO btw, I can't see the star spikes very well on the screen, can I make the image bigger? Also, I took 22 lights and 22 darks at 1600 iso but put everything away. I'm thinking now that my flats and bias frames need my scope and camera at the same focussing position so I need to image again, is that right, so, learning curve! Any advice from this brilliant forum is welcome. John

I have a WO Megrez 72d and a few years ago afte having issues with the focusser fitted a Moonlite focusser to it. I absolutely love it and it's a good all round scope for visual and now I'm trying imaging so you're certainly going down the right road👍

Excuse the ignorance but what's the difference between USB power and data connection/hub? I've recently bought a Swarey Power Bank and am really pleased with it but need something to connect my Star Adventurer, dew strap controller and dummy battery etc, to all together. I may reinvest in a EQ5pro mount soon also so getting one for the immediate future. Which one is recommended do you think?

Hi all, Just seen a splitter that does several USB's and cigarette lighter connections made by OOWolf on Amazon at about £18 mainly for in the car but would be suitable for directly off any Powerbank. Didn't know whether to put it on Imaging thread or this one but any thoughts would be welcome. John

Have just fitted the CLS filter and found it tricky to open up the 'legs', I take it that the filter stays in place, I certainly wouldn't want to do it in the dark and outside!! Thanks for the info anyway 👍

Thanks for that, will try it later👍

Sorry about the info I have supplied, it's meant to say Kood adapter, cheers, John

Sorry about the info I have supplied, it's meant to say Kood adapter, cheers, John

Hi anyone, just had an excellent couple of hours imaging, Vesta region, M42 and Horse head region but when I came to put away my gear I noticed my Eos clip filter from Astronomic was loose in my Canon so the adapter I use isn't holding it in place - it's a Good for Canon AF. I'm obviously not using the correct fitting - can anyone advise please.

Hello, very brave to jump straight into astro photography but good luck, you'll get loads of advice of this forum.

They are both really good images and I'm sure you'll get good feedback from more experienced members here. What scope and mount did you use btw.

Hi, and welcome aboard 🙂

How important is it to have a light panel, does it really make a difference and justify the price of one?