Simon Dunsmore

Hi Folks,

Looking for a rugged field backpack for carrying my kit. 

Canon 450d, Move Shoot Move, 50mm lense, 135mm lense, Benro Tripod, ipad, ball head x2, involmeter. Battery pack etc.

Budget £70

Thanks in advance for your recommendations 

Simon

Hi Folks,

Just purchased a Move shoot move. Initially to use with my canon 450d and 50mm lense.  However I also own an Evoguide and was wondering how that would perform with this set up as a  widefield scope for travelling.

I'd welcome your thoughts.

Thanks 

Simo 

Hi, 

Just in case anyone out there is interested. This was my solution. A little rustic but it works! Some M10 threaded bar,  a piece of 5mm alluminium, x2 M10 nuts,  and a 1/4 bolt for the ball head.

Hi,

Thanks for your quick reply. Unfortunately, the description states

"This will not fit older tripods with the welded Azimuth pin as this is to wide to fit correctly. Some customers have been able to file this adapter to make it work but it's a lot of work so we don't recommend it!"

Hi Folks,

Just wondering if anyone out there has fixed a ball head directly on to the Older HEQ5 tripod. Mine has the fixed pin and I can't see a way to make it fit.

Thanks 

Simon

Thanks so much for your reply. Could I ask for more details on how you put this together and where you purchased the parts/focuser please? I've never seen that before.

Thanks 

Simon

Hi Folks,

My views of the night sky are pretty limited from where I live. I presently have an astrophotography set up that I'm very happy with. (HEQ5 Pro mount, 72Ed, ZWO533MC camera & Asiair). The problem I face is that I've imaged most targets that are visible for any serious amount of time from my garden.

I have in the past loaded up the kit into my car or festival trolley and headed out to another location but it is a real faff.

Therefore I'm considering digging out my Canon 450d and purchasing a Skywatcher Star Adventurer and getting out for some time in the field. 

Question, 1. What is the general consensus of opinion on the star adventurer. Does the latest iteration have any benefits over the earlier models. 2. I'm looking for suggestions of a sub £100 tripod.

Thanks in advance for your help 

Clear skies

Simon

Thanks for the reply. I'm using a 50mm lense, so sounds straightforward. I have a ball joint to attach the camera.

Thanks again 

Simon

Hi Folks,

I have what is probably a very silly question, but here goes.

I plan to attach my Canon EOS 450D piggyback on my scope and tracking mount for some wide angle shots.

Does the camera need to point in the same direction as the scope or if fitted with a ball joint can I move it to a different target independently from the mount and it still track?

...I said it was probably a stupid question!

If it does need to point in the same direction, do I need to align the two and how?

Finally, best suggestions for attaching would be appreciated.

Thanks all

Simon

Hi Folks,

So I'm sitting here having just checked the weather for the weekend and you guessed it...clouds.

At times like these I get to day dreaming and imagining my perfect rig (I know its sad!).

So, here's my question. If money was no object, what would be your perfect mount for imaging?

I presently have an old heq5 goto, she works well with my 72ed and evoguide but I can't help wondering what a better mount would feel like (if there is a better mount that is 😉 )

looking forward to reading your comments 

Have a great weekend 

Simon 

Hi All,

So further to my recent question regarding focusing the Evoguide. I had an additional question for the corporate brain.

My rig presently consists of 72ED with ZWO533MC Pro, Evoguide with ZWO mini and an Aisair pro.

I was looking for a faster widefield scope and it ocurred to me that by fitting a field flattener to the Evoguide that I potentially already owned one.

My question is this, can I simply switch the cameras and use the 72ed as a guidescope or is it too big?

Trying to do things on a shoestring, so as much as I'd like to purchase the RedCat and all sundries to go with it, I'm sad to sayvits not an option right now. I could however, possible push the budget and buy a small guidescope but then how do I attach it the evoguide without blowing more cash?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

Simon 

Hi All,

Apologies in advance if this is a silly question.

Is it possible to image the milkyway with a CMOS camera?

My set up is:

Heq5 pro mount

Aisair 

Skywatcher 72ed 

ZWO533MC pro

Thanks for your help 

Simon 

1 hour ago, StevieDvd said:

You would need a setup something like the deepskydad RedCat

Hi, Thanks for your reply. Yep, I had looked at that exact bit of kit, but wondered if anyone had ever successfully used it on the evoguide.

Good morning all,

Whilst waiting for the confounded clouds to move along I got to thinking 🤔.

My rig presently consists of a Skywatcher 72ED on a heq5 pro goto mount with a evoguide 50ED guide scope and ZWO533MC camera all run through an ZWO asiair.

I've read a few articles about the Eviguide making a reasonable wide field sope and thought I may give it a try  This got me to wondering if anyone has ever attached a ZWO EAF to the evoguide and if so, how?

I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of you wise folks out there.

Thanks in advance 

Simon

Just in case anyone wants to know. I sorted this by  buying a new length of 4mm bar and cut it to length. I replaced the missing grub screw with a new 5mm m5.

EAF fitted and working like a dream. Just need some clear skies.

Thanks for your help and may all your skies be clear in 2022

Hi, Yes, that's the bar. Sorry, I wasn't sure of the correct name.

I've actually ordered a length of bar to replace the damaged one, but can't measure the old one as its still inserted in the old focuser knob. I will replace the manual focuser with an EAF.

Thanks again 

Hi Folks,

Can anyone tell me the length of the bar inside a skywatcher 72ed focuser please?

Thanks

Simon 

It may just be easier to replace the bar. Any idea what length the bar is? I can measure the diameter.

Thanks 

Thanks for your help. May just try and get it drilled out. 

Hi,

One very frustrated individual here. So I attempted to fix my new EAF to my 72ed today. Wish I had never started.

First off, the little Alan club Screw required to remove the course focuser rounded off and now I can't remove it.

Then I dropped the  tensioner grub Screw and so can't even revert back to manual focus. 

Would anyone know what size the grub Screw is and possibly suggest how to remove the course focuser knob from the shaft?

Please help!!!

Thanks

Simon

32 minutes ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Simon, was it the switch wiring then ?

Steve

Yes, it needed three wires to the switch.

Thanks everyone. All working like a dream now. Couldn't have done it without you. That's why I love this forum.

Just need some clear night's to see how long it will last. 

11 minutes ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Then I would think you need three wires to it, please let us know exactly which switch you are using.

Steve

Hi, Here's an image of the switch

7 minutes ago, Capt Slog said:

I see, you're talking about 'lighted switches'. 

( clarification for the OP, this is a switch with an LED built in, lights when switched on or could be permanently lit to show location, or other combinations).

 

We don't know if that's what he's using, we need more info 

Hi, Yes it's a with with a built in LED that lights up when toggled to the ON position

2 minutes ago, AstroKeith said:

There's your problem.....

The centre is the common, use that one and either end.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry, I'm not sure I understand. Any chance you scribble a  quick diagram?