Alien 13

2 hours ago, PeterCPC said:

Just discovered - 1.9.0.932

Once you have loaded the Beta it will prompt you if there is a new version available.

Thanks, thats the version I downloaded..

Alan

I am a bit unsure regarding the version of this beta release?

Alan

I would start off by going for prime focus photography to start with, you dont need the diagonal as the camera and T adapter should screw directly to the scopes visual back.

Alan

Thanks, this is why I like Affinity so much..

Alan

24 minutes ago, John said:

I've been wondering about moving to a 2 inch Baader BBHS prism diagonal for my 130mm F/9.2 triplet but I'm doubtful that I will notice the difference for the additional £'s spent

 

I expect it come down to whether you want to call your scope a refractor or reflector, at the moment your scope is mostly reflector 

Alan

Arrived today.

Finally a chipped adapter that works with my Canon 80D, tried it out with my M42 lenses and my ZS71 scope and the AF confirm is spot on, should even make Lunar imaging easier with correct exposures..

Alan 

Hello Paul and welcome to SGL.

I think that the dummy battery may contain some basic protection circuitry and smoothing caps as well as a method to tell the camera that it a "battery", the standard operating range of canon cameras is around 7.2 V- 9 V  but most adapters are set around 8 V.  Make sure that the PSU can supply around 1.5 A though minimum.

Alan

13 minutes ago, TheBojon said:

Where do I get that, please?

Look online for a "right angled camera viewfinder" the most common was the Seagul version but have had a quick look but they seem to have vanished from all UK sites at the moment..

Alan 

Quick answer no, any movement or adjustment will invalidate your PA, why not get one of these...

It only needs to be held up to the polarscope to work. I polar align my mount when its at its lowest setting.

Alan

I would agree with Vlaiv regarding the EQ3-2, the single axis motor or the dual axis 6V version will also happily run off a 5.2V mobile phone power bank (you would need to make up a lead though) making it quite portable... The advantage of the EQ3-2 over the "star trackers" is that it will also hold a 6 inch Newt or similar if you want to do a bit of Lunar/Planetary imaging.

Alan

Just now, Anthonyexmouth said:

I remember using the app to control my 760d. I just like the idea of using the skywatcher app to control the camera and image session. Does the 80d have an intervalometer port?

The 80D has a shutter release port that you can plug an intervalometer into as do most of the Canon DSLR range... It does have a kind of built in intervalometer for doing time lapse etc but its very limited..

Alan

27 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

Well, I don't do much DSLR astro imaging so it did not occur to me to check all those options.

My idea is to use computer to control DSLR / mirrorless much like I do with regular astronomy cameras.

What I do like with M200 is ability to do remote shooting via wifi (at least I think it can do that).

I originally wanted to get one of these mirrorless cameras for EEVA style imaging on AzGti mount which has wifi as well. It would be rather nice to have EEVA platform without cables - but it turns out that Canon largely disables advanced wifi features. For example my Canon 750D can't do remote shooting via wifi link - but I believe that to be disabled rather than non existent feature.

Not sure about the ***D models but my 80D can control most functions over wifi it can even switch between stills and video, the only limits is that it cant change the mode dial so if you are in manual you cant change it to bulb for example.. The canon app and EOS utils are wi fi friendly and the former even lets you micro focus a camera lens while looking at the live view image... Its just a shame that these apps dont include a full intervalometer function but I have my Pluto trigger for that.

Alan

I think a lot of mirrorless cameras skimp with connectivity, remote shutter release socket/mic in/headphones out etc are often missing..

Alan

A couple of others to have on your RADAR, Canon 6D although this will need full frame glass at the front end and the Canon 80D..

Alan 

Another CooWoo user here, I chose these because I run a portable setup and a battery bank will run them all night. The heater strip fits my lenses that have a 77mm filter size and my 90mm Mak too.

Alan 

The EQ3-2 and 5 for that matter that use the 6V systems will happily run off 5.2V mobile phone/tablet power banks....simples.

Alan

OMG some text and buttons huge some tiny will have to spend a few days working this out..

Alan

Its a bargain even at the full price....absolute steal at 50%

Alan

35 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Has the observer gone up in smoke?

Focal ratio looks about @F15Rules, not that I’m pointing the finger at Dave 🙂

 

Hard to have even a guess but mine would be an 8 or even 10 inch refractor...

Yes the observer was fried by the light from Venus....or was he.

Alan

My favorite TV/scope moment has to be the Avengers "from Venus with love" episode lots of scopes on view like this one, although no idea what its is apart from big.

My favorite scene though is when Emma is looking the wrong way through a Charles Frank 8 inch reflector (the realy cool one with the skeleton frame).

Alan 

I have the 80D and do shoot nightscapes/astro at an ISO of 200 as this camera is unique in the Canon range because its virtually ISO invariant, this doesn't mean you cant try other higher settings but there will be little to gain in theory.

I think most other Canon cameras tend to operate best around an ISO of 800 to 1600 which is close to its unity gain setting.

Alan

4 minutes ago, Toaster05 said:

Rather annoyingly missed out on a Canon 7D this even by a measly £2 when my eBay app crashed with 25seconds to go.

I've noticed there is a 6D on Wex body only for £275. I'm to understand the prices have shifted a bit what with the state of the world but does that seem reasonable?

I could pick up a prime lens to start off with and get to know the camera.

That seems too Cheap to me, would expect to pay £380-450 for a good one..or perhaps more.

Alan

1 minute ago, John said:

Am I correct that the optical elements for all Takahahsi refractors are made by Canon Optron ?

or is it just certain model ranges ?

The flourite elements will be Canon not sure about the others by why wouldn't you..

Alan

1 hour ago, John said:

Before they made telescopes, Takahashi were a specialist sand casting company:

http://astrosurf.com/sogorb/takahashi/takahashi.html

I noticed that from the first video posted but was surprised that the sand castings had runners but no risers..they did have a lot of sacrificial metal in the pattern though.

Alan

Zoom is a bit of a learning curve, best to log in early and play with the settings.

Alan