Jump to content

NLCbanner2024.jpg.2478be509670e60c2d6efd04834b8b47.jpg

Alien 13

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    6,593

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Alien 13

    How to power an EQ5 RA motor

    in Discussions - Mounts

    Posted · Edited by Alien 13

    The EQ3 and EQ5 will happily run off a 5V mobile phone battery bank, these normally supply 5.2 V. You would need an old USB cable and chop of one end and fit a DC power connector (cant remember if its 5.5mm x 2.1mm or 5.5mm x 2.5mm) to the cable, note you only need to use the Red (positive) and Black (negative) wires in the cable.

    You can get 10A/hour powerbanks very cheap but the latest's smart models (that usually have two outputs) can sometimes shut down if the load is too small (the current drawn for the motor is between 150-400 mA depending if its slewing or not) but this can be fixed by putting a load like a red LED light into the other socket, I would say that I have never had this issue though.

    The reason that 5V powerbanks work is because the basic 6V system controllers for both single and dual axis motors do not have voltage regulators or protection circuitry which is one reason they are easily killed when used on 12V etc. The other thing to remember is that the standard battery case with 4 D cells has to also work with rechargeable versions that would only give a total of 4.8V.

    Alan

    Best sort my astro gear

    in The Astro Lounge

    Posted · Edited by Alien 13

    3 hours ago, nightfisher said:

    So we are going into a lockdown, not allowed out other than essential stuff, i best scrape the dust of my astro gear and get back to Luna imaging

    Good idea, need to get some use out of my DSLR and Mak and camera lenses too...

    Alan

    • Like 1

    Tamron or Sigma

    in Discussions - Cameras

    Posted · Edited by Alien 13

    I did used to own the Sigma 70-300mm lens although it was the slightly more expensive APO version and it performed well, the "macro" facility was a bonus although it was a pain to get it into that mode. I would say that its reasonably sharp up to 250 mm f/l but softer after that. The only real criticism was the lack of a zoom lock causing the lens to change focal length when pointing up or down but easily fixed with a rubber band.

    Alan 

    Photoshop

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted

    Its probably fine but will have some limitations with more recent DSLR RAW files and at some point will loose any support, I have CS6 myself but jumped ship and now sailing along with Affinity Photo. If its main use is for AP then CS6 is however all you will need realy.

    Alan

    • Like 1

    Early signs of lens fungus?

    in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, dannybgoode said:

    I have thought about doing that but it’s such a valuable lens I think I’d rather just get it properly cleaned and then take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. I owe it to the scope to sort it properly :) 

    I have a similar light and regularly give my camera lenses and scopes a blast, prevention is always better than cure.

    Alan

    • Like 1

    Photoshop help?

    in Imaging - Image Processing, Help and Techniques

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, Adreneline said:

    I guess you've tried this maybe?

    I also use DPP that comes with the Canon.

    Adrian

    Thanks, tried it but wouldn't update. The notes imply that CS6 cant be upgraded beyond ver 9.1.1.

    Note:

    Alan

    • Like 1

    Photoshop help?

    in Imaging - Image Processing, Help and Techniques

    Posted

    10 minutes ago, Adreneline said:

    That's strange. I installed CS6 on my laptop (Win10), installed the updates and Camera Raw 9.1.1 was installed which opens Canon raw files. Same on my iMac/MBP. I didn't do anything other than install CS6 updates.

    1597066161_Screenshot2020-03-0817_22_30.thumb.png.f931f30b2b7805ffe9469196f72980e5.png

    This is running on the MBP

    Adrian

    Think my camera needs version 9.5...

    Alan

    • Thanks 1

    Registax 6

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted

    There is some software that struggles with the latest Canon RAW files but is eventually fixed with later updates, the easiest way forward is to use the free Adobe DNG converter to batch convert all your RAW files, the DNG format is universally compatible with most image processing packages.

    Alan

    To grease or not to grease

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    On 29/02/2020 at 11:34, JamesF said:

    I'm sure the manufacturers don't use grease that is unsuitable for the purpose.  Perhaps the question should be more along the lines of "What purpose do they intend it to serve?"  It may be ideal for the way they expect many mounts to be treated on average and/or for smoothing out inconsistencies in machining in the environments they generally expect them to be used in whilst being completely the wrong thing for, say, running accurately and predictably and requiring very little effort to move when imaging at temperatures below freezing.

    James

    I agree, the sticky grease fills in imperfections/loose tolerances and is exactly whats needed for cheaper mounts. It is also less likely to sheer under load which would cause the bearings to run dry.

    Alan

    Is Photoshop the way forward???

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted · Edited by Alien 13

    1 hour ago, ollypenrice said:

    Yup. In my case, over the last 12 years, that would have been a cool £1,440.00.  Bonkers.

    Olly

    If I remember correctly the last non subscription version of PS was CS6 which would have cost around £650 back in 2012 so it could be assumed that the latest version if sold as a one time buy might be anything from £1000-£1500 so the subscription is a bargain :D if you had to buy today.

    I however bought Affinity Photo instead as to me its a much better all round package.

    Alan

    Monitor for image processing

    in Getting Started General Help and Advice

    Posted

    I have thought about an external monitor for my laptop but still use the built in one and its fine even for Photoshop use although it has been calibrated with a Spyder 5. Thing is even expensive monitors struggle to produce the whole colour gamut but its not necessary provided certain points are fixed, its a bit like sound studios mixing tracks using tiny bookshelf speakers that have a defined response.

    Alan

    • Thanks 1

    New laptop

    in Getting Started General Help and Advice

    Posted

    As a general rule a "gaming" laptop will have most of what you need, better still if it has dual SSD and HDD drives. The downsides with a laptop is cost vs performance and the screen colour accuracy with applications like Photoshop although this can be improved if you calibrate it with something like a Spyder 5 or similar.

    Alan

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.