MARS1960

Very nice indeed.

I keep looking at that ZS73 II but the issue with balance concerning the dovetail and focus lock screw (I'd be hanging a DSLR off it) worries me.

Very nice image.

I cannot wait to get my EDF72.

I can't really answer your question, but I did image 8hrs on this target a few years back.

My processing skills at the time were awful so I posted the stacked image for others to try, I'm happy to post it up if you want to see what can be got with 8hrs and good processing.

On 01/01/2021 at 08:49, Ande said:

Noticed another trend amongst certain retailers too. The habit of showing “low stocks, please call” or words to that effect. And then when you do call, they immediately tell you they don’t have the item, they don’t even need to check as they know full well they’ve hardly got anything. But then they instantly proceed to try and prise your details out of you so that they can procure an order for when stock does eventually arrive. I don’t appreciate people trying to trick then trap me, and will actively seek to avoid those places in the future.

Sadly this is true with my recent experience. 

I enquired about "low stock, email first" (not the exact words as I dont want to put them in the spotlight) only to be told "They are new, stock hasn't arrived yet" seriously!!!

4 hours ago, Astro NGC said:

 

I have a Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS lens (with a canon EOS 100D) and I have noticed that the image stabilisation turns on whenever the  live view mode turns on (even when the stabiliser is turned off on the lens). When I switch off live view, it sometimes turns off and sometimes it stays on and I think it is messing up a lot of my long exposure photos. I’ve attached a photo of what one of the images looked like (although it normally isn’t that bad)

Is there any way to stop this from happening so I can use the lens at 250mm?0

I'm somewhat confused as the Canon 100D doesn't have built in IS in any form!

Are you sure your lens IS is working, or more importantly not working when you switch it off.

13 hours ago, varius21 said:

Hello again. I know I ask too much but I've been searching on here so much and I got confused.
So I am looking to pair a DSLR with my 8" dobs for planetary images (& short vids to stack frames).
I am looking on ebay for something under £250 that possibly comes with a lens (for general use as well...

Any suggestions for something decent, used at the mentioned price range?
I appreciate all the help I am getting from all you nice people in here, you've been extremely helpful and I love how this community is so nice!

Vasilis

 

P.S. I certainly don’t expect anyone to go searching for me. I am only looking for suggestions, what kind of camera I should look for.

There is a perfectly good ZWO ASI120mc in the classifieds for under £100, they are great Lunar/Planetary beginner cameras.

I gave up trying with my 600D so bought one from FLO then the next day saw the used one advertised on here 😂.

I use Stellarium for PC.

However I recently bought a C6 Evo so downloaded the skyportal app, even if you have no use for the wifi to control your wifi mount I find the search function rather brilliant and very informative.

My first setup was the Celestron equivalent of the HEQ5 with a Skywatcher ED80 and Modified Canon 600D (you can usually find these or similar in the classified ads).

FLO (if buying new) do a very nice Skywatcher ED72 for £269 I think.

A good apo refractor (similar to the spec of the above two) and a modified DSLR is the way I would go with your budget. 

M42 with my C6 Evo, Canon 60D and Antares f6.3 reducer.

100 x 20s.

50 x 10s.

Double click please.

On 26/12/2020 at 14:14, lunator said:

Hi Keith

I have included the log from Sharpcap at the bootom of the post.

My process is as follows.

I had let the scope cool. I use sharpcap to do the capture as it the software I know.

I leave everything on Auto as it does a pretty good job.

I check the alignment on the camera so it is in a pretty good N/S is up/down orientation

I do a rough focus and then go back and forth a few times with the fine focus to see if I can get the view as sharp as possible.

I usually take 2-3 captures before I check focus again.

I stack in AS!3.

I load the AVI and go through the capture by frame until I see one that appears to have a pretty clear view. I use that as the master.

I put alot of alignment points on the image. The more the merrier is my view.

After stacking I use the best 30-40% as the basis.

I open in registax and mess around withe 1st 3 wavelet sliders. I try to see if it brings out the smaller craters.

I sometimes crop in GIMP or other photo software.

I hope that helps.

Cheers

Ian

 

[ZWO ASI120MC-S]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=AVI files (*.avi)
Binning=1
Capture Area=1280x960
Colour Space=RAW8
Temperature=4.2
High Speed Mode=Off
Overclock=0
Turbo USB=86(Auto)
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=50
Exposure=0.002441
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=95
White Bal (R)=52
Brightness=0
Auto Exp Max Gain=50
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=None
Subtract Dark=None
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-12-24T19:55:42.2085119Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6442.0

Thanks for this Ian. 

Tonight was my first night with the ASI120, Sharpcap and AS!3, very helpful.

First time out tonight for the new C6 Evo and ASI120MC.

Seeing not good, I should have waited 2 more hours but was eager to get out.

I used Sharpcap for the first time and think i need to get to grip with the capture settings, my gain setting needs to come for starters.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to double clickk 🙂.

3 hours ago, Chefgage said:

Yes that's the way to go for eye piece projection. I have one of those eyepieces (10mm I believe). I have only just tried getting focus with it connected to a DSLR (which it did). I have not tried imaging with it as this thread has just reminded me I actually have that eye piece!

Hi,

I posted this lunar shot yesterday, the only reason i used a lens was because I sold all my gear, but over the last month have started up again but don't have an M43 T-ring.

I was quite impressed with the results, removing the cheap diagonal would probably have improved things a tad.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/368692-1st-afocal-moon/

Just for a bit of fun during a rare break in the clouds.

Taken using a canon 60D with a 50mm f1.8 through a Baader 10mm attached diagonally to the C6.

Hi bdark,

I wanted to try that when i bought my first scope (also an ED80), I ended up buying a Baader Hyperion eyepiece, these eyepieces have a thread under the rubber cup, with the use of a T-ring for your DSLR the eyepieces simply screw in to the camera and can be used as normal.

20 hours ago, wibblefish said:

Excellent thank you, I found them in the Orion book after looking at this. I think I need to go through it again as I only really looked at the winter skies section and those are under an earlier bit! 

This is my goto website for targets, very "customizable" to your needs too.

https://telescopius.com

Hi all,

Lovely clear skies here so first chance to get the new rig out.

Didn't go with the ZWO this time, just the Canon 60D at prime, best 74 frames.

Edited: uploaded wrong image. Please double click for full image.

2 hours ago, Louis D said:

A plain Barlow would probably work well for imaging and would give you the ability to vary magnification by varying the distance between it and the imager.  I'm not aware that they add any focal image curvature.

Most eyepieces don't work well for projection because they project a curved image plane.  This isn't an issue for afocal projection where the taking lens has ample depth of field to handle it.  I'm assuming you're attempting projection imaging and not afocal projection.

Thanks Louis, i'll buy the standard celestron 2x Barlow. Yes it will be projection. I'll have a play with the eyepieces that come with it before i go any further.

12 minutes ago, M40 said:

Hello Mark, I am just getting into the imaging aspect of things so I can only offer my own thoughts. I bought the Baader Hyperion zoom and associated 2.25x barlow. The Baader offers the ability of being able to put the DSLR directly onto the eyepiece and I am loving it...... when there is a clear sky that is 🤦‍♂️ So from vague remote memory of clear skies, I used the zoom at the least magnification and then kept zooming in until I was happy with what I was observing. After moving a few things around, I then did the same with the DSLR bolted on the end using live view to focus taking single snaps as and when. As I say not into imaging proper yet. The ease at which you can change magnification with the camera bolted on sold it for me and I absolutely have no complaints about the eyepiece ability or quality.

One other thing to consider and I have no idea if it affects the 6SE like the skymax but focusing can be challenging as the primary in the skymax flip/flops a bit so I have ordered a dual speed focuser which after reading a million revues should help.

Enjoy 

Thanks M40, I was considering the Hyperion zoom anyway for visual so i think you just sold it for me too 🙂.

Drat, i bought an SCT dual speed years ago when i bought a skymax 180, wish i hadn't sold it now, oh well, at least i know what tell the Mrs i want for Christmas 😀.

Thanks to you both.

25 minutes ago, Stargazer McCabe said:

I do hope you get replies in this section... It's a little surprising when one doesn't get the response one might normally expect... 😉

At my age I'm no longer surprised by peoples actions or for that matter by their inaction 😉.

I'll try this section as i got no replies in the imaging section.

I'm moving over to a 6se for planetary/lunar imaging and will be using both a DSLR and a SPC900 on occasion.

I will on occasion be wanting to use a Barlow or possibly an eyepiece (maybe Baader Hyperion) to image with and would like some suggestions on what would give the best images.

Initially I would like to know if the TV 2.5 Powermate would be worth the extra £100 or so than the Celestron X-CEL LX 2x or 3x, or something else entirely, i'm pretty unfamiliar with SCT's.

TIA.

A warm welcome from another Norfolk.

Can i get some feedback please guys. 

I'm moving over to a 6se for planetary/lunar imaging and will be using both a DSLR and a SPC900 on occasion.

I will on occasion be wanting to use a Barlow or possibly an eyepiece (maybe Baader Hyperion) to image with and would like some suggestions on what would give the best images.

Initially I would like to know if the TV 2.5 Powermate would be worth the extra £100 or so than the Celestron X-CEL LX 2x or 3x, or something else entirely

TIA.

Excellent, thank you Lockie, i'm ordering one of these tomorrow, pretty excited .

I couldnt resist grabbing this super zoom off ebay for a few moon pics, sadly its been cloudy for a week but this morning was clear.

I certainly wouldn't recommend this camera for much else but it's not bad at reaching for the moon.

One normal, one psuedo, one scene dawn, single shot in auto.

What software are you using for processing?

This is my goto place, just put in your location and choose your parameters, simple.

https://telescopius.com

19 hours ago, Craney said:

I've seen that pattern somewhere before........ cue some atmospheric music....

Haha, how strange, i was just thinking the same, i had that T-shirt.